Albertus Swanepoel

>> CFDA Pairs with Magazine That Isn't Vogue for First Time —Harper's Bazaar and the CFDA are joining (marking the first time the CFDA has paired with a magazine other than Vogue) for the Accessories Bazaar; the initiative showcases up-and-coming accessories designers in an exhibit which coincides with New York Fashion Week and will be located nearby Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. The Bazaar, which kicks off with a cocktail party Sept. 13 and will be open to Fashion Week attendees for the next two days, will feature the Spring 2011 collections of 18 jewelers, milliners, footwear, handbag and small leather goods designers, among them Alexis Bittar, Philip Crangi, Albertus Swanepoel, Alejandro Ingelmo, Fenton/Fallon's Dana Lorenz, Pamela Love and Dean Harris, in a gallery-like setting (rendering, above left).

Much loved by fashion designers (Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Narciso Rodriguez, and Diane von Furstenberg) and editors (Vogue), but little known to consumers, milliner Albertus Swanepoel has finally landed a lucrative corporate collaboration which should send his exquisitely-designed headpieces straight into the mainstream spotlight.

Known for his exceptional attention to detail, handwork, and use of exotic materials (such as the rooster feather hunting cap in Carolina Herrera's fall 2008 collection above), the South African-born, New York-based Swanepoel will launch a collection with U.S. hat manufacturer Stetson this fall. The line will be sold seasonally at Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue and retail for $180-$300. Thank you, Stetson.

From left: Carolina Herrera fall 2008, Proenza Schouler spring 2005, Alexander Wang fall 2009

Source: Getty

>> All 21 designers nominated for the 2009 CFDA Awards have been photographed by Craig McDean for the CFDA Journal, but the nine who are Swarovski emerging designer nominees will also be featured in individual short films, along with an editor or stylist of their choice, to be shown at the June 15 ceremony.

The shorts, directed by Michael Palmieri and still photographed by Jennifer Livingston, feature designers Thakoon Panichgul, Jason Wu (who partnered with T fashion director Anne Christensen, left), Alexander Wang, Justin Giunta (who picked Harper's Bazaar accessories director Ana Maria Pimentel), Alejandro Ingelmo, Albertus Swanepoel, Patrick Ervell (who shot with V fashion editor Jay Massacret), Tim Hamilton and Robert Geller.  The films also feature editors Anne Slowey, Brian Coats, Brian Molloy, Kate Lanphear, Camilla Nickerson and Melanie Ward.

>> The 2009 CFDA Award nominees have just been announced, and Marc Jacobs has already won an award — the International Award for his work at Louis Vuitton (he's nominated in two more categories).  Last year's Swarovski Award winners, Rodarte and Band of Outsiders, have both been bumped up to compete in the respective major league categories, and 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund contenders Albertus Q. Swanepoel, Alejandro Ingelmo, and Jason Wu have all entered the Swarovski Award ring this year. 

We'll have to wait until June 15 to see who wins what, but the ceremony might mark fashion's first Michelle Obama event appearance — she's being honored with this year's Board of Director's Special Tribute for her style choices and penchant for up-and-coming talent.

And now, the nominees . . . »

>> INSIDER WIRE —Are bold prints in Alexander Wang's future?  As part of his CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund win, he's been paired up with Diane von Furstenberg and DVF president Paula Sutter, who will serve as his business mentors for a year.  Runners-up Albertus Swanepoel and Vena Cava were paired up with Andy and Kate Spade, and Gap's Patrick Robinson and Theory's Andrew Rosen, respectively. [Vogue UK]

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>> After two seasons of working together, Alexander Wang and Erin Wasson are parting ways . . . mostly. Alex has hired Alastair McKimm to style his Spring 2009 collection in place of Wasson, but Erin will still be creating jewelry for the show from her Low Luv line.

As for the clothes, Alexander Wang promises "a marked departure" from past collections: lots of color and dresses, an athletic-meets-“Miami Vice” vibe, lace patterns inspired by sweat stains, and runway hats by milliner Albertus Swanepoel that look like a mix between swim caps and “corseted do-rags.”

But wait, there's more!  Spring 2009 also means a diffusion line, T by Alexander Wang, and the designer's first shoe collection (both above). T focuses on what else but tees: Tanks to T-shirt dresses ($28-$40 wholesale) in colors ranging from whites and gray to lavender, chartreuse and cerulean, all in Alex's signature slouchy style. 

As for the shoes, there are five styles to begin with, $125 to $250 wholesale, capturing the street feel Alex likes — and get this: He used actual body-piercing rings as hardware. What a whirlwind — let's hope Alex can keep up!
*image: source