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CFDA

CFDA Holds Town Hall Meeting to Discuss the Fashion System
Fashion Flash

Should Fashion Shows Be Targeted Toward Consumers or the Industry?

Last night, the CFDA gathered around the stone at a town meeting where industry leaders discussed the future of the fashion industry.
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Last night, the CFDA gathered around the stone at a town meeting where industry leaders discussed the future of the fashion industry. The debate was whether fashion shows should be targeted towards consumers or the industry. “We design for the consumer, and right now, I believe the consumer is completely confused,” said Donna Karan. Basically, who is going to purchase a wool coat — even if it's the most amazing coat ever — in August? That said, designers faulted the recession, discount-driven shoppers, the vast difference between runway looks and in-store merchandise, and the constant pumping out of collection after collection.

“We should truly focus on the problem and the solution. The consumer has been trained to buy on sale. The clothes in stores are not in season, so she is confused. Why should she go out and spend money early in the season, when in fact come September and October, when the season actually changes, the next season is there and it’s called resort? We are putting all the energy into something that the consumer isn’t really getting, because by then it’s on sale,” continued Karan. On a sillier note, Anna Wintour, suggested putting together a committee that could create rules for when stores could discount merchandise stating, "We have friends in the White House now.” That's most likely not going to happen but the issue remains, should the fashion industry cater towards the consumers or the industry?

At CFDA Town Hall Meeting, Future of Fashion Week Contemplated
Diane Von Furstenberg

At CFDA Town Hall Meeting, Future of Fashion Week Contemplated

>> This morning, the CFDA held its first town hall meeting, moderated by CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg, to discuss whether Fashion Week is still relevant.
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>> This morning, the CFDA held its first town hall meeting, moderated by CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg, to discuss whether Fashion Week is still relevant.  Many attendees agreed with Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough, who voiced his concern: "There seems to be a disconnect. For us, the shows have become a press thing. It’s on blogs; magazines pull straight from the runways; and by the time it’s in stores, it feels sort of old."

Donna Karan, who has long been a proponent of selling and showing clothes in season, also wondered about the timeliness of the shows: "We are in a crisis. There's no question about it . . . We spend so much money on shows, but what is it getting us?”

Anna Wintour suggests something illegal »

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award Nominees Announced!
Fashion Flash

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award Nominees Announced!

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund top-10 nominees have been announced and it's filled with major talent.
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The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund top-10 nominees have been announced and it's filled with major talent. The wide range of genius includes eco-conscious creators, Monique Pean and Alabama Chanin's Natalie Chanin, edgy designers Flora Gill and Alexa Adams of Ohne Titel, and even men's footwear extraordinaire, George Esquivel for Esquivel Shoes — stiff competition! The chosen one and two runners-up will be announced at the annual gala on Nov. 16. The prize? Cash and mentoring from the industry's crème de la crème.


(L-R: Ohne Titel, Alabama Chanin, and Sophie Theallet)

To see who else made the cut, read more

Vogue

>> INSIDER WIRE —Vogue-helmed events could be a little different from now on: Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, 11-year Vogue veteran and the magazine's director of special events who oversaw the Costume Institute Gala and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, resigned to spend more time with her husband and three children; no replacement has been named.
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>> INSIDER WIRE —Vogue-helmed events could be a little different from now on: Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, 11-year Vogue veteran and the magazine's director of special events who oversaw the Costume Institute Gala and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, resigned to spend more time with her husband and three children; no replacement has been named. The move marks the loss of one of the magazine's many pedigreed names: Winston Wolkoff is granddaughter of Harry Winston. [FWD]

Nicky Hilton Wears Vena Cava's Gap Design Editions' Khaki Zip Tribal Dress
Celebrity

Nicky Hilton Sports and Supports Gap/CFDA

Considering Nicky Hilton consistently wore Matthew Williamson for H&M before it came out, I'm not surprised that she's the first celebrity to jump on the Gap CFDA Design Editions line.
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Considering Nicky Hilton consistently wore Matthew Williamson for H&M before it came out, I'm not surprised that she's the first celebrity to jump on the Gap CFDA Design Editions line. Girl knows her fashion. She recently went out in LA wearing Vena Cava's Khaki Zip Dress ($88). And guess what? I also have it! If you're not already, start sporting and supporting the stylish collection. It's khaki at its hottest.


WENN.com

Marc Jacobs

>> INSIDER WIRE —Marc Jacobs traded his skirt in for pants last night at the CFDA Awards, while Alexander Wang — who says he started wearing shorts a month ago and hasn't switched back to pants — debuted his "suit shorts" from Comme des Garcons: "I always feel awkward in a full get-up.
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>> INSIDER WIRE —Marc Jacobs traded his skirt in for pants last night at the CFDA Awards, while Alexander Wang — who says he started wearing shorts a month ago and hasn't switched back to pants — debuted his "suit shorts" from Comme des Garcons: "I always feel awkward in a full get-up. You’ve got to break it up a little.”  He may break with tradition, but it sounds like the Swarovski Womenswear winner is being groomed for big things — he was discussed yesterday at the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit as a good investment opportunity, and rumors are circulating that for his Spring 2010 show, his usual stylist Alastair McKimm has been replaced with "a certain godhead of a stylist" who "deemed" to take the gig. [FWD, Style File, Alexandra Wilson's Twitter, The Imagist]

The 2009 CFDA Awards Are Here! Rodarte, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler Take Home Wins
Ashley Olsen

The 2009 CFDA Awards Are Here! Rodarte, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler Take Home Wins

>> American designers are trickling in at Alice Tully Hall for tonight's CFDA Awards — CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg was first to arrive, International Award winner Marc Jacobs walked the red carpet arm and arm with fiance Lorenzo Martone, Kirsten Dunst came with Womenwear of the Year nominees Rodarte, presenter Diane Kruger arrived with Swarovski nominee Jason Wu, Doutzen Kroes is resplendent in Zac Posen, and all were greeted on the front steps by a crowd of models in the nominees' creations.
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>> American designers are trickling in at Alice Tully Hall for tonight's CFDA Awards — CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg was first to arrive, International Award winner Marc Jacobs walked the red carpet arm and arm with fiance Lorenzo Martone, Kirsten Dunst came with Womenwear of the Year nominees Rodarte, presenter Diane Kruger arrived with Swarovski nominee Jason Wu, Doutzen Kroes is resplendent in Zac Posen, and all were greeted on the front steps by a crowd of models in the nominees' creations.

Swarovski nominee Alexander Wang said he's "not nervous at all" — he woke up today and "forgot it was the CFDAs," but we'll have to wait and see if this turns out to be a night to remember for him, after all . . .

The ceremony is now underway, and host Tracy Ullman opened with a Kiefer Sutherland-headbutting joke — Proenza Schouler is an Accessory Designer nominee, and arrived with Daphne Guinness in tow — the CFDA crowd is a notoriously tough crowd, and the joke was met with "weak laughter."

Later on, Tracy, known for her designer impressions on her eponymous TV show, took a crack at impersonating Anna Wintour.  Michelle Obama, who wasn't there in body, accepted her Special Tribute Award by video, and Rodarte's Laura and Kate Mulleavy accepted their Womenswear Award saying they watched Midnight Cowboy this afternoon to calm their nerves.

And the winners are . . . (nominees here):

  • Accessory Designer of the Year: Proenza Schouler
  • Popular Vote Award: Ralph Lauren
  • Menswear Designer of the Year: Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein and Scott Sternberg for Band of Outsiders (tie)
  • Swarovski Award for Menswear: Tim Hamilton
  • Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Alexander Wang
  • Swarovski Award for Accessories: Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry
  • Womenswear Designer of the Year: Rodarte
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Photos of Gap's CFDA Design Edition Khakis
Gap

Reminder! Gap CFDA Design Edition Khakis in Store Tomorrow

Tonight is the 2009 CFDA awards — we can't wait to hear this year's winners.
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Photos of Gap's CFDA Design Edition Khakis

Tonight is the 2009 CFDA awards — we can't wait to hear this year's winners. For those of us not in the fashion inner circle, we can have a piece of the awards via khakis; Gap's CFDA Design Edition Khakis hits stores and online tomorrow. The ads proved khakis can be fun. Bask in brown with affordable designs by Alexander Wang, Vena Cava, and Albertus Swanepoel. For you luckies in NYC, head to the 54th and 5th flagship at 10:30 a.m. for an instore event where Patrick Robinson, Alexander Wang, Albertus Swanepoel, and Vena Cava’s Lisa Maycock and Sophie Buhai will meet and greet their fans. Lastly, peep this fun interview between '83 CFDA winners Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui — you know you want to know what MJ's current tattoo count is . . .

Vena Cava Dress Alexander Wang Shorts Knot Hat Vena Cava Dress Vena Cava Boyfriend Khakis Gap Design Editions Cuties
View 6 Photos
Anna Sui, Womenswear Nominees to Have Mini Fashion Show at 2009 CFDA Awards; Presenters Announced
Anna Sui

Anna Sui, Womenswear Nominees to Have Mini Fashion Show at 2009 CFDA Awards; Presenters Announced

>> The 2009 CFDA Awards are on Monday — the afterparties are planned, various outlets are hedging their bets on the winners, and to the disappointment of many, Board of Director’s Special Tribute honoree Michelle Obama will not be in attendance — fashion has been foiled once again — her cultural ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter will receive the award in her stead.
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>> The 2009 CFDA Awards are on Monday — the afterparties are planned, various outlets are hedging their bets on the winners, and to the disappointment of many, Board of Director’s Special Tribute honoree Michelle Obama will not be in attendance — fashion has been foiled once again — her cultural ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter will receive the award in her stead.

But the rumor about the mini fashion show at the awards ceremony is true: As a preview of New York Fashion Week's move to Lincoln Center next year, a runway presentation of Lifetime Achievement honoree Anna Sui, plus the work of other womenswear nominees, will take place on the Center's Alice Tully Hall stage.  According to Fashion Week Daily, "Don’t expect anything less than stellar models to strut their stuff on stage, nearly every big name is already booked for the mini-shows."

UPDATE: The show's presenters »

CFDA

>> INSIDER WIRE —The 2009 CFDA Awards show is coming up next week, and in addition to short films of the Swarovski nominees being shown, COACD is hearing that there will be a mini fashion show.
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>> INSIDER WIRE —The 2009 CFDA Awards show is coming up next week, and in addition to short films of the Swarovski nominees being shown, COACD is hearing that there will be a mini fashion show. As for which of the nominees are going to be honored, Refinery29 predicts Marc Jacobs will win Accessory Designer of the Year, Rodarte will take home Womenswear Designer of the Year, and Jason Wu will score the Swarovski Award for Womenswear. [COACD Twitter, Refinery29]