Liya Kebede

>> This evening at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, fashion's finest gathered for the 2010 CFDA Awards. Jak & Jil's Tommy Ton snapped photos of the arrivals, J.Crew's Jenna Lyons introduced herself to Isabel Toledo, and the ever-punctual Anna Wintour was later than usual, appearing after the pre-awards cocktails were in full swing.

Wintour put on her signature shades for the ceremony itself, but off they came when International Award winner Christopher Bailey thanked her (along with Tom Ford and Donna Karan) — in fact, she was beaming. Later, she got on stage to present Michael Kors with his Lifetime Achievement Award — he received a standing ovation — and told a story about how she went on a trip to Jamaica with Kors; when Ralph Lauren arrived, Kors got in the ocean and stayed there for hours because he didn't want Lauren to see him in his swimsuit.

Speaking of Lauren, he received the Popular Vote for the second year running — although he wasn't in attendance this evening. Sarah Jessica Parker, dressed in a custom gown by new Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton, presented Lee Alexander McQueen posthumously with the Special Tribute Award, noting that the designer had "the most beautiful hands I've ever seen," before models took the stage in the designer's last works.

Accepting her Fashion Icon Award, Iman thanked her parents for the longest neck on any model at any go-see in the world and joked to husband David Bowie: "Move over. You're not the only icon in the house." And finally, Marc Jacobs scored the Womenwear Award — he thanked bloggers for his win and said to Robert Duffy: "i want to thank [Duffy], without you this dream would never have come true."

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

• Accessory Designer of the Year: Alexis Bittar
• Popular Vote Award: Ralph Lauren
• Menswear Designer of the Year: Marcus Wainwright and David Neville for Rag & Bone
• Swarovski Award for Menswear: Richard Chai
• Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Jason Wu
• Swarovski Award for Accessories: Alexander Wang
• Womenswear Designer of the Year: Marc Jacobs

Michael Kors will always have a special place in my heart. The first New York Fashion Week show I ever attended was Michael's Spring '00 "Palm Bitch" show. The clothes were a sherbet rainbow of luxury and Gisele was on the brink of being the next big thing. Throughout the years, Estonian model Carmen Kass has embodied the jetsetting American sportswear aesthetic that is Kors. Cashmere knits, decadent furs, simple sheaths, aviator sunglasses, glorious gowns, the list goes on. But the casual luxe attitude is always there. Michael became a household name mid-2000s, bringing his fine taste to the masses with his lower-priced Michael Michael Kors and serving as a judge on Project Runway. Adored by celebrities, models, and fellow designers, Kors is undeniably awesome. Carry on for a thorough Kors review . . .

Source: WireImage

Let's talk pantyhose for a sec. I wore black sheer hose quite a bit last Winter — sometimes opaque tights felt too conservative. I know it's very Working Girl, but it's a sexier alternative to tights. Case in point: Liya Kebede in a satin Stella McCartney Resort dress and sheer hose. The whisper light hosiery allows her glowing skin to shine, and they look adorable with her dainty sandals. Holiday dressing lesson learned. Click through for more style lessons!

Source: Getty

>> Alexander Wang hinted recently that he was ready to evolve, telling W's September 2009 issue: "As soon as people get used to what you’re doing, you have to change direction."  And evolve he did for Spring 2010: the look of his last few collections, with their body-clinging shapes and primarily black palettes, was replaced by a generally looser silhouette and all shades of khaki, tan, olive, and gray.  He told WWD that Spring 2010 for him "is very much about classic American sportswear," and the idea is visible in pieces like a sweatshirt dress with football pad detailing (below) and all the shinguard-like socks cut out at the back of the calf.

But Wang didn't give up the sexy side of his label — there were plenty of bra tops, crop tops, and and lingerie-style shorts to go around.  The house was unsurprisingly packed, with Katie Grand (Wang's after-party co-host), Terry Richardson, Olivier Zahm, Diane von Furstenberg (Alex's CFDA-appointed mentor), Erin Wasson, Devon Aoki, Liya Kebede, and Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin all front row.  Frankie Rayder, Angela Lindvall, and Iselin Steiro walked, newcomer Mirte Maas opened, Karl Templer styled, and Wang's three styles of sunglasses debuted.