Marc Jacobs took home the big prize as the top talent in womenswear at the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards Monday night, but the big moment on stage at Lincoln Center was Sarah Jessica Parker's tribute to the late Alexander McQueen.
McQueen committed suicide earlier this year.
Parker told a celebrity-studded crowd that included Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Biel and Rachel Weisz that it was with "honor and great regret" that she was there to mark the contribution and creativity the designer gave to his industry. "I would have loved to see what he would do next," she said.
Parker wore a purple-and-pink print gown from the pre-fall collection that she said was hand-selected for her by the house's new designer — and former McQueen assistant — Sarah Burton.
After her remarks, a parade of somber models presented McQueen's final fashion collection for the upcoming fall season, which was rooted in several heavily embroidered, dramatic styles topped by feather-mohawk headpieces.
The audience reserved its one standing ovation of the evening, however, for Michael Kors, who received a lifetime achievement award from Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Wintour, a friend of Kors for almost three decades, recalled several funny stories about the "Project Runway" judge who is known in fashion circles for his sunny disposition. The best one: On a vacation to Jamaica that had been mostly mired in rain, Kors headed straight for the ocean for a quick dip when the skies cleared. He ended up bobbing for hours in the water, though, because he realized — after it was too late — that Ralph Lauren was directly on the beach in front of him and Kors didn't want to be seen in his swimsuit.
Wintour also shared the tidbit that Kors is an aspiring Broadway producer.
Kors, who had brought Paltrow — who wore a one-shoulder, black beaded gown — as his date, said he was "blown away" when the CFDA called to tell him of his award: "I thought to myself, `I'm just a kid. How did this happen?'"
The CFDA devotes a good chunk of its annual awards, considered the top honors in American fashion, to its young, emerging talent. Winners of the Swarovski awards were Jason Wu, who designed Michelle Obama's inaugural gown, in the womenswear category, Richard Chai for menswear and Alexander Wang for accessories.
Wu arrived on the red carpet with Weisz, who wore one of his designs — a purple dress with photo-style floral print.
"Now that I've taken her here, maybe she'll take me to the Oscars," Wu said.
Jacobs is known as the U.S. leader in fashion trends, but he had a four-year losing streak going into the night and hadn't won the womenswear award since 1997. (He did win for accessory design in 1998, 2003 and 2005, for menswear in 2002, and the international award for his work at Louis Vuitton last year.)
Model-turned-cosmetics mogul Iman received the fashion-icon award, presented to her by longtime friend Isabella Rossellini. Wearing a custom-made, black strapless Giambattista Valli, Iman joked that now she could tell her rock star husband David Bowie, "Move over, you're not the only icon in the house."
Other winners:
_David Neville & Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone for menswear
_Jeweler Alexis Bittar for accessories
_Christopher Bailey for Burberry for the international award
_Tonne Goodman, Vogue fashion director for visuals
_Kim Hastreiter, editor and publisher of Paper magazine for fashion journalism
_Ralph Lauren for the popular vote award, chosen by the public in an online poll
On Thursday, June 3 and Friday, June 4, 2010, exclusive Brazilian accessories brand Carmen Steffens, hosted celebrities and fashion editors at their Los Angeles U.S. flagship boutique in preparation for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. The invitation-only event featured the brand's exclusive handcrafted stilettos, shoes and handbags.
Among those who attended were Dancing with the Stars' professional dancer Karina Smirnoff who went home with a pair of the fabulous Classic Carmen Steffens platform crystal sandals, Maria platform pumps and Silvana sandals; All My Children's Shannon Kane walked out with a stunning pair of the Angela peep-toe crystal snake pumps; and starlet Natasha Henstridge added the Marina anklet sandals and Manuela cross-body bag to her wardrobe. All guests who attended the style lounge also received Gingi Refreshing Toning Water and Earthlust eco stainless steel water bottles.
One of the most in-demand fashion exports to come from Brazil, Carmen Steffens exclusive handcrafted shoes and handbags are sold through over 167 Carmen Steffens stores across 11 countries worldwide and over 450 international multi-brand boutiques. All Carmen Steffens products are handcrafted in limited quantities and reflect a unique Brazilian style that can be found in no other brand.
Heroes are all around this Father's Day, so celebrate your "Everyday Hero" with the latest gifts from Macy's. From car racing and fashion, Macy's is the destination of choice to find a gift as special as Dad.
Give Dad the gift of a lifetime and enter to win an all-inclusive three-day, two-night trip for two to the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Speed-loving dads will get the opportunity to test their driving skills behind the wheel of a 600hp NASCAR-style stock car at either Orlando's Walt Disney Speedway or Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For a chance to win and complete rules. Racing or not, he can always dress the part in a new Izod tee from the Indy 500 Winning Series Special, available only at Macy's.
From the casual outdoorsmen to the buttoned-up executive, Macy's offers Dad-friendly fashion to meet his everyday needs. With summer around the corner, help him prep for the warm-weather days ahead. Complement his beach-ready Speedo swim shorts and Club Room crew and v-neck tees with the latest Adidas slides or Sperry boatshoes. Heading to the office? Dress him up with top-notch accessories from his favorite brands, including Geoffrey Beene leather belts, Perry Ellis Portfolio wallets, Esq by Movado stainless steel watches and Tumi cufflinks.
"Father's Day is about making that special man in your life feel appreciated, " said Linda Lee, group vice president of Macy's By Appointment, a free personal shopping service. "Whether Dad is sporty, fashion-focused or loves gadgets, Macy's has the perfect gift to fit his needs."
For the scent-seeking dad, Macy's has the newest additions to the Polo, Armani and Chrome by Azzaro lines of men's fragrances. Available only at Macy's, these distinct Eau de Toilettes will help set the man in your life apart from the pack.
The ultimate "grill master" will love Macy's selection of tools to help perfect his culinary skills. Accessories from Charcoal Companion are sure to kick his barbecue up a notch without breaking the bank.
For the creative gift-giver, customers can visit the men's department in any Macy's store on Saturday June 19, and create a special customized gift card.
With a view to exercise a cut, on the imports of surgical gauze and to domestically source the demand for the same in hospitals and medical centres, an industry in Cuba has started manufacturing the same within the country.
A textile company based in Villa Clara has been authorized by the National State Medical Equipment Centre to manufacture this medical product and to also promote the same within the country.
A number of clinical and bacteriological investigations were carried on the cotton gauze to establish its resistance, prior to certifying the same.
Until now, the factory has manufactured around 800,000 square meters of gauze and viewing the country’s requirement of 36 million square meters of surgical gauze per year, it is believed that, such domestic gauze production would steadily supplant the imports.
The plant would be operational round the clock and would give out around 10 million square meters of gauze in the current year.
A model presents a creation by Mel Simon of Simon Duncan Collections on the night of Haute Caribbean during Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain, June 6, 2010.
A model presents a creation by Claudia Pegus of Claudia Pegus on the night of Haute Caribbean during Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain, June 6, 2010.
A model presents a creation by Shaun Griffith-Perez of Shaun Griffith-Perez designs on the night of Haute Caribbean during Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain, June 6, 2010.
June 4, 2010: The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) continues to prepare the next generation of industry talent by identifying the most gifted students studying fashion design at the nation’s leading design colleges and universities and awarding scholarships to them through the prestigious CFDA Scholarship programs.
The 2010 recipients of 11 scholarships will be awarded through four separate Educational Initiatives:
Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship
Liz Claiborne Fashion Scholarship
CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship
CFDA Scholarship
GEOFFREY BEENE DESIGN SCHOLAR AWARD
This year’s 2010 GEOFFREY BEENE $25,000 DESIGN SCHOLAR AWARD goes to: Carmen Chen Wu, Parsons The New School For Design.
A $5,000,000 endowment from the Geoffrey Beene Foundation in 2007 expanded CFDA’s core scholarship program, significantly increasing scholarship grants by $2,500,000. This generous pledge also funded establishment of the merit-based $25,000 GEOFFREY BEENE DESIGN SCHOLAR AWARD that brings the work of this legendary American fashion designer, into classrooms through a specialized instructional program. Students are challenged to look beyond conforming to trends and business restraints in order to advance the art form.
Students are asked to submit Ten (10) black and white croquis sketches for designs on
8 ½ x11 paper showing a 360º view for each garment and one full-color final illustration, measuring 18 x 24 of a quintessential Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter 2012 GEOFFREY BEENE Women’s collection look.
Student submissions were judged by a panel of industry experts: Kim Hastreiter, editor of Paper magazine, author of Geoffrey Beene: An American Fashion Rebel ; Russell Nardozza, SVP / COO, GEOFFREY BEENE, LLC; and designers/CFDA Members Doo-Ri Chung, Maria Cornejo, Richard Lambertson, and Anna Sui ,the 2009 Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.
LIZ CLAIBORNE FASHION SCHOLARSHIP
$25,000 Scholarship Awarded to: Jusil Carroll, Fashion Institute of Technology.
Named for the designer known as the “working woman’s best friend”, the Liz Claiborne Fashion Scholarship Award was established by her husband and business partner Art Ortenberg in 2008 to help identify a womenswear design student who, given the current culture and world in which today’s woman lives, best addresses her lifestyle and needs for the 21st century.
Applicants are required to submit a collection of 10-15 full-color illustrated looks related to American sportswear (today) and based on the core design principles of the designer, Liz Claiborne.
The Committee included Industry experts Van Lupu of Pratt Institute, Andrew Rosen, President/COO, THEORY and designers/CFDA Members Dana Buchman, Sophie Buhai & Lisa Mayock (VENA CAVA), Norma Kamali and Charles Nolan.
CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship in partnership with Target
$25,000 Target Fashion Scholar Awarded to: Nicole Goh, Deer Park High School in Deer Park, NY
$5,000 CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarships awarded to: Danielle Perret, Langham Creek High School, Houston, TX. and Remy Renzullo, The Putney School in Putney, VT., originally from Torrington, CT.
The CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship was established in 2007 to help foster the design education of promising students seeking Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees at one of CFDA’s 16 participating 4-year colleges, universities, and design schools in the United States.
Submission requirements include an application, essay, official high school transcript, letters of recommendation and a “mood board” which includes sketches and provides insight into his/her particular design aesthetic.
Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee of industry experts, including several representatives from Teen Vogue as well as Teen Vogue editor Amy Astley, CFDA members Richard Chai and Thakoon Panichgul and Jamie Curtis, Senior Manager, Design Partnerships at Target.
CFDA SCHOLARSHIP
$10,000 Scholarships Awarded to: Peter Nguyen, Academy of Art University; Yuen Chi Lo, Parsons The New School For Design; Lauren Burnet, Parsons The New School For Design.
$5,000 Scholarships Awarded to: Elin Johansson, Fashion Institute of Technology; Lisa Relth, Academy of Art University; Wei-Li Ting, Academy of Art University (recipient of the Clara Hancox Scholarship Award for Menswear Design).
The CFDA Scholarship Program was created in 1996, to award annual merit-based scholarship grants to students in their junior year of study in a four-year, full-time college level fashion design program.
Submission requirements include a portfolio of 10-15 original apparel or accessories designs.
The 2010 Selection Committee was comprised of CFDA Members John Anthony, Miranda Morrison (SIGERSON MORRISON), Jeff Halmos & Sam Shipley (SHIPLEY~HALMOS), Charlotte Neuville, and Italo Zucchelli (CALVIN KLEIN Men’s Collection).
Since 1996, the CFDA has awarded 141 scholarships totaling $550,000.
This year’s recipients join some of the most talented young American designers working today, including CFDA Scholarship inaugural-year winner Peter Som (1996), Jack McCollough, of Proenza Schouler (2001) and Chris Benz (2003).
The CFDA Scholarship Program is in partnership with GEOFFREY BEENE, Art Ortenberg, Target, and Teen Vogue, and supported by designer Joseph Abboud
The Dessy Group launches the first ever multi-tiered bridal campaign with Foursquare. Dubbed a “social fashion collaboration”, The Dessy Group, the leading manufacturer of bridesmaids dresses and bridal apparel that manufactures Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids, Lela Rose Bridesmaids, Alfred Sung, After Six and Dessy Bridesmaids, has partnered with designer Cynthia Rowley and retailer, Lovely Bride. The result: a unique Foursquare campaign to debut the new Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids collection at retail in New York, Chicago and Charleston.
The location based marketing initiative will launch Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids to consumers at an event at the Cynthia Rowley West Village store (376 Bleecker Street) on Thursday, June 3rd from 6 to 8 pm. Rowley herself will host the event. Foursquare users who check in at the event will receive a gift certificate redeemable for bridal favors, accessories or apparel at website.
Similar events to launch the Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids collection are scheduled in June in Chicago and Charleston.
Integrated into multiple social media channels, the campaign is also being promoted through Facebook, Twitter, and fashion and bridal blogs and websites. Dessy is also working with a digital agency, eRoi to distribute e-mail invitations to 100,000 customers.
Alan Dessy, CEO of The Dessy Group says, "The Dessy Group has always been an innovative company. We see location based marketing as one of the most exciting emerging technologies. By weaving Foursquare into our Cynthia Rowley events, and with our retail partners, we are all able to collaborate and engage our local brides. Dessy sees endless possibilities for loyalty and rewards programs using Location based tools and we intend to leverage this technology to provide our brides with a better retail experience."
Gucci is pleased to announce the launch of a worldwide eco-friendly program designed to progressively reduce the company's impact on the environment. The centrepiece of this new initiative is packaging newly designed to reduce materials, exclusively use FSC Certified paper and to be 100% recyclable.
The initiative will be introduced in all of its 284 directly operated stores around the world from June 2010. The new packaging concept not only represents an important action towards environmental responsibility, but also reinforces Gucci’s heritage as the company approaches its 90th anniversary in 2011. It is within this dual context that Gucci’s new packaging has been conceived by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini pairing past with present and luxury with responsibility.
Frida Giannini said, “This project proves that you sacrifice nothing creatively when working with environmentally friendly materials. The new packaging is very beautiful and evokes perfectly the combination of Gucci's values and the traditions for which it has become renowned since Guccio Gucci founded the company in Florence nearly 90 years ago. I believe we have a collective responsibility towards future generations to minimise our impact on the environment."
Employing a sophisticated beater-dyed paper in chocolate brown, the new shopping bags and gift boxes feature a de-bossed GG logo, which was first used in the 1960s and emulates the present day iconic Guccissima leather. The surface of the packaging has a subtle luminosity and underscores the experience of luxury as well as the warm tones of Frida Giannini’s Gucci retail store concept. The brown pantone is complemented by the GUCCI logo in gold as well as “Firenze 1921”, as an acknowledgement of the company’s birthplace, its Made in Italy tradition and its near 90-year history. The gucci.com website address is also newly added to the side of the shopping bags in recognition of the way in which Gucci's online store and direct store network complement each other. The inside of the shopping bag features the sentence: This shopping bag is FSC certified and made of 100% recyclable material. All plastic laminated surfaces (a common feature in fashion brand packaging that is not recyclable) have been removed from shopping bags and boxes. Tissue paper is no longer coated and both ribbon and garment bags have been switched from polyester to cotton.
The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification verifies that all trees used to create the paper of bags and boxes come from well managed forests and that every stage in the production chain meets the FSC standards. Gucci is a leader in having complied with every requirement stipulated and all the company’s suppliers involved in the launch of the new packaging are FSC certified. Gucci has committed that by the end of 2010 all of its purchases of non-recycled forest products will be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified productsto ensure that no paper is being sourced from endangered forests including the rainforests of Indonesia, one of world’s hotspots of deforestation and climate change. Furthermore, it will continue to seek alternative fibre options to use in its packaging products, include biodegradable bags made of corn, bamboo and cotton.
As part of the overall objective to limit its environmental impact Gucci is also taking this opportunity to rationalise its packaging offering in order to limit excess. Items will be shipped from the factory to stores in a more conscientious way. Shoes will be packed in one flannel instead of two. Gift boxes will only be given out when requested. Gucci is going to replace all of its mannequins with a new eco-friendly version, designed by Frida Giannini, made with shockproof polystyrene - a long-lasting and 100% recyclable raw material - fully made in Italy and finished with water-based paints.
Patrizio di Marco, President and CEO of Gucci, said: “The world's leading brands are rightly judged today not just on the quality of their products and services, but also on the way they act in the community and towards the environment. In 2004, Gucci took a leadership position in the industry by voluntarily initiating the certification process for Corporate Social Responsibility (SA 8000) across its supply chains. In the same year Gucci established a partnership with UNICEF, which in the last six years has generated more than US$ 8 million for its projects supporting disadvantaged children and women in sub-Saharan Africa Now. These are initiatives which are part of our values system just as we believe a concern for the environment needs to be."
Other sustainability actions being taken by the company include:
- the progressive substitution of printed collateral materials with E-Cards and E-Catalogues, with customers be offered a "go green" option when registering;
- the implementation of a transportation load optimization policy aimed to reduce truck transportation by 30% with a progressive shift from Euro 4 to Euro 5 transportation;
- the introduction of an energy saving program for the retail store network involving reduced lighting after hours, installed light detectors, switching to 35 W halogen bulbs;
- the testing of LED lights, the reviewing of composite stone versus marble;
- the use of composite veneer for the furniture production, instead of solid wood.
Through these various initiatives Gucci aims to achieve the following targets by the end of 2010:
- a reduction of 35 tons of plastic waste;
- a reduction of 1,400 tons of paper consumption (coming from the implementation of the new packaging,
the replacement of a cardboard box with a recyclable bag and the optimisation of paper consumption from catalogues and promotional materials);
- a reduction of about 10,000 tons of Co2 emissions;
- a reduction of about 4 millions litres of gas oil consumption.
Lafcadio Cortesi, Forest Campaign Director of the Rainforest Action Network (RAN), commented, "We are impressed with Gucci's actions to improve its environmental footprint. The company’s decision to reduce its paper and wood consumption and only buy FSC Certified products will help protect Indonesian and other endangered forests around the world and sets an example for other companies in the luxury sector. “
In 2004, Gucci initiated a voluntary certification process for Corporate Social Responsibility (SA 8000), which has now been received for its leather goods, shoes, ready to wear, silk and jewelry supply chains. The certification validates the values of business ethics, respect for human rights, environment, workers’ health, safety and rights and equal opportunities
Paspaley, the acclaimed pearling pioneer and distinguished jewellery house, unfurls its stunning pink sapphire set which highlights the magnificence of South Sea cultured pearls.
The necklace is crafted in 18k white gold and uses a total of 14, 11-14mm round pearls along with 15, 11-14mm drop pearls, teamed with 265 white diamonds weighing 14.85 carats and 58 pink sapphires. The earrings come in 18k white gold and use two round 11-14mm pearls along with two drop 11-14mm pearls. These objects of sparking beauty can be treasured for a life time and passed down to the generations as a token of love and refinement.
Pegah Goldooz, General Manager, Paspaley Pearls, UAE said: “This set without doubt is the most stunning as it is the brand’s resolve to showcase its best creations in the region. This celebrated Paspaley set is absolutely brilliant and we are proud to bring these highly-coveted jewels to our clients here. These jewels blend superb innovation with classic elements and offer themselves as tempting accents to a fashion ensemble.”
This spectacular necklace, a one of a kind creation, is designed to drape magnificently across its lucky owner. The finest South Sea Paspaley pearls, cultured as only Paspaley know how, are complimented by the delicate shades of pink sapphires and fire of fine diamonds. The precious diamonds alone total an impressive 14.85 carats.
The brand has established a strong presence across the globe and is hogging light in the Middle East. Paspaley is fast capturing the attention of the region’s elite customers and continues to draw in the more style conscious, residing in the region. The unusual design of the pieces impart rare charm and the opulent pearls rich in splendour, pay tribute to the beauty of its elegant wearer.
Paspaley’s stunning pink sapphire set is now available by enquiry through its exclusive boutiques in Mall of the Emirates, Saks Fifth Avenue - BurJuman Centre, Dubai Mall, The Atlantis, The Palm Jumeirah and Abu Dhabi Mall.
Designer Elizabeth Emanuel poses with her creation, a black taffeta gown worn by Lady Diana Spencer for her first official appearance with her then fiance, Prince Charles in 1981, at La Galleria in London June 7, 2010. The gown is expected to reach 0,000 when it comes to auction at La Galleria, alongside other Emmanuel Royal Archive items, on Tuesday.
Designer Elizabeth Emanuel poses with her creation, the final calico toile for Lady Diana Spencer's wedding dress, an exact rendition of the gown later made in silk for her marriage to Britain's Prince Charles in 1981, pictured at La Galleria in London June 7, 2010. The creation is expected to reach 2,000 when it comes to auction alongside other Emmanuel Royal Archive items on Tuesday.