American journalist and author Anderson Cooper will be hosting the event.

Marc Jacobs will be receiving the lifetime achievement award by director Sofia Coppola. Marc Jacobs has been honored at the CFDA awards several times and received the International Award in 2009 for his work at Louis Vuitton.

Lady Gaga has been confirmed to receive the Fashion Icon of the Year award (I’m sorry, what?) which went to model Chanel Iman last year.

Jessica Alba will give the Founders Award to Hal Rubenstein, and Vogue’s Grace Coddington will present the Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award to Arthur Elgort.

Here is the list of the nominations and the honorees:

WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Alexander Wang
Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
Marc Jacobs

MENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Michael Bastian
Patrik Ervell
Simon Spurr

ACCESSORY DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Alexander Wang
Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
Reed Krakoff

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR WOMENSWEAR
Joseph Altuzarra
Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen
Prabal Gurung

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR MENSWEAR
Alexander Wang
Phillip Lim
Robert Geller

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR ACCESSORY DESIGN
Alejandro Ingelmo
Eddie Borgo
Jason Wu
Pamela Love

INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Phoebe Philo (Celine)

MEDIA AWARD
Hilary Alexander

FOUNDERS AWARD, given in honor of Eleanor Lambert, the CFDA’s founder
Hal Rubenstein

FASHION ICON AWARD
Lady Gaga

GEOFFREY BEENE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Marc Jacobs

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ SPECIAL TRIBUTE
Arthur Elgort

Don’t forget to view their website for more details!

Is there a woman out there who hasn’t worn and loved a classic, sexy dress? Designer Autumn Hawk  has been churning out modern, sexy, body-conscious dresses, and has achieved a very ”V.I.P ” reputation being worn by celebrities, socialites and the “fashion forward”.

So when Autumn Hawk’s exclusive preview for the spring/summer collection came out on Thursday night, I jumped at the chance to interview and celebrate my closest friend and iconic American designer.

I met Autumn for dinner at Megu in the city to celebrate her success as a fashion designer.  I spent most of my time, over a glass of chardonnay, chatting about fashion, style and spring’s must haves.

First, how do you define your personal style?

I define my personal style as “classy, sexy” and always evolving.  I think its important to always step out of the box and try new things.

What/who inspired you to become a designer?

I’ve always been designing and making clothes ever since I can remember.  I was given a sewing machine as a gift from my parents as a kid and loved the freedom of creating anything I want.  Then as an adult (after trying a few different career paths) I finally decided to get back to what I love!  Designing!

I remember when I thinking about doing a clothing line and you (Danya Ray) came over and we were getting ready to go out and you said, “I wish I had your closet and you can dress me everyday!”  And I knew I had to do it. So you were a big reason and source of encouragement believe it or not!

When do you know it’s time to get rid of something?

I know its time to get rid of something if I haven’t worn it in a year.  I’m the opposite of a “hoarder”.  I don’t keep anything.  I love giving my old labels to friends and my sisters.  Its fun to see something take life on someone else!

What pieces will you keep forever?

I will always keep my jewelry.  I love having many options to accessorize.

What would we never find in your closet?

You will never find patent leather heels in my closet.  When I see them on a woman I cringe.  They look stiff and your feet can’t breath in them!

What are your must-haves for spring?

Must-haves for spring is something blue and something red!!

Who is your fashion icon and why?

My fashion icon ? Not someone famous.  I’d have to say its regular women on the streets in NYC.  Sometimes you’ll see a girl walking that looks like she belongs on the runway during fashion week.  It’s simple yet crazy.  It’s brilliant when a woman mixes old with new and inexpensive with high-end. The New York woman is like no other!

Autumn is also known as the woman behind the “RED ZIPPER” dress.  Every dress is now made with a signature red zipper with five percent of all sales going to AIDS related charities and research.

http://autumnhawknewyork.com/

Designer Autumn Hawk and Danya Ray

Upon entering, I was impressed with the variety of clothes in stock.  The flashy cocktail dresses were in the front, work-appropriate suits, casual tops and cozy sweaters were in the middle – and formal silk gowns/bridal collection were towards the back.

Nicole Miller has recently started to design her own line of  jewelry and stunning bags/clutches.  I noticed necklaces and rings that included skulls, dangly drop earrings and chunky twisted chains.  The bags/clutches compliment Nicole’s jewelry line because it gives you the same chic, lower east side, edgy yet classic feeling.

While mingling with fellow fashionistas and hosts Donna D’Cruz and Melanie Fascitellia, I spotted a Curpo blazer with a sheer back and sleeves that I just had to have.  The enthusiastic sales team assisted me with trying on the blazer and giving me some helpful tips on completing my outfit.  I was told that the modern look today was attenuated with long chiffon shirts paired with blazers and vests.

The simplistic glamour of Miller’s clothes is a favorite of  many A listers. Angelina Jolie, Halle Barry, Lauren Hutton, Leighton Meester, Eva Longoria Parker and Felicity Huffman have recently appeared in her designs.  Her work is often shown on the covers and in the pages of leading fashion and lifestyle magazines world wide – and in cyber world, Nicole Miller is one of the most visible designer brand names anywhere.  I sent Nicole a Tweet  @NicoleMillerNYC congratulating her on a great event and I received a response within minutes.

Nicole Miller is a fashion designer with a modern, ageless aesthetic.  Her silhouettes are artfully draped to achieve a unique body consciousness.  Her signature is feminine, sexy and refined.  Miller draws inspiration from a wide range of influences including cinema, contemporary art, mid-20th century architecture and exotic cultures.

Karen Koeningsberg walking the runway for Miami International Fashion Week

Karen walked the opening of MIFW Thursday March 3, 2011 wearing a beautiful couture floral dress by designer Petite Pois.  She strutted down the runway with fierce confidence and attitude.  Karen decided to walk the runway for Miami fashion week to support designer Viviana G. (Petite Pois) and Miami International Fashion Week.

Karen Koeningsberg supporting designer Viviana G. (Petite Pois)

Karen Koeningsberg is not only a socialite but is also involved in philanthropy.  She is the founder/president of a charity organization called Cherished Feet.  Cherished Feet is a non-profit charity organization that collects footwear and physically distributes it to underprivileged families in the US and in developing countries.  Cherished Feet recently traveled to Haiti and distributed 2,000 shoes to children living in tent camps.  Their next international mission trip will be to Guatemala and El Salvador.

Farah is a designer to watch for and I’m predicting she will be on a few red carpets soon. The lights dimmed as the intro song Bang Bang, (My Baby Shot Me Down) remixed over the first model’s who ripped open her fur coat to reveal only an black silk embellished applique lace tulle corset.

Silver fox coat with applique lace tulle corset

Get me that silver fox coat with the black silk hand embellished long-sleeved cocktail dress now.  While not the biggest fan of her full evening gowns, her party & cocktail dresses are for sure a hit amongst the New York fashionistas and elite.

The last white number (a white silk crystal encrusted gown with feather and organza ruffles complete with a silver fox stole) received gasps from the audience who whistled and applauded.

White silk crystal encrusted gown

Well done Farah!

For ticket info go to: http://richierich.eventbrite.com/

Just incase you missed it last year… this years event will be a surprise! I can’t wait to see what celebrity comes out in the end.

Now that it is finally 2011… you know what that means, right? Out with the old and in with the new!

I wanted to give all my fashionistas a gift since I’m still in that giving mood.  Below is Tom Ford’s Spring/Summer 2011 Women’s collection at #NYFW Lincoln Center. 

Spring/Summer 2011 Women's Collection

The hush hush event was attended by 100 guests which saw the designer showcasing his first women’s collection in over six years.  This was super exclusive and talked about for months.  

 Tom Ford told Vogue Magazine that his new collection was inspired by the 1970s: “The seventies is what I love. Soft, touchable beauty is what I love. I want to be touching the skin; I prefer no bra—I want to be able to slip in my hand.” Well these PJs certainly fit that bill.  They look touchably soft to me.  However,  as we wait for the official launch of the line, check out the video below to see exactly how inspired by the 1970s Ford really was. 

One more thing, Beyonce was one of the fabulous models to strut her stuff on the catwalk.  Enjoy!

NYC Sample Sales

Yesterday, fans of power heels were forced to make the ultimate choice: Manolo or Louboutin? In some cosmic act of cruel irony, the fates have decreed that this fall’s semi-annual Manolo Blahnik sale will fall the same day as the rumored Louboutin sale: Thursday, November 11. From 9am to 3pm women were running each other over at the Warwick Hotel at 65 W. 54th Street, about sixteen blocks north and a couple blocks east of the Louboutin sale. Could a very determined, very patient person be able to hit both? Possibly, but it won’t be easy. “Think of it as a day of soul searching,” suggests Madison Avenue Spy.

Here’s the (tarnished, dingy) silver lining: Nobody knows if those Louboutin dates are correct. A Louboutin rep told us point-black that they’re false, and last we checked, none of our usual sources had received invitations. Louboutin really, really doesn’t want crashers—as they’ve reasonably pointed out, this is a private event, despite the overwhelming public interest—so it’s possible that they’re going to be especially cagey this year. All things considered, the Manolo Blahnik sale seems like a much safer bet.  

I would be curious to know if the  Louboutin sample sale really happened…anyone know?

Credits to NYRacked

At Haute Social with Fashion/Beauty Bloggers Accidental Chic and IMakeupMaven

It seems like just a few years ago, not many people knew what a blog was. Nowadays, bloggers are not just doing this as a hobby – but they have turned this into a profession.  In turn, bloggers have achieved a certain celebrity status amongst their peers, and the social media industry.

On September 13, 2010 - I attended Haute Social’s Media Mixer Event at the trendy upscale Underbar, located in Union Square.  Paul Baranda, founder of Haute Social recognized me immediately when I went to give my name at the door. This event was specifically held for influential fashion and beauty bloggers – who spend a considerable amount of time tweeting, on fashion trends emerging around the world.

It was nice meeting people in person, putting a face to the name of all my Twitter friends.  I bumped into Accidental Chic aka Tiffany while waiting for the Buckner show to start at Lincoln Center.  When she gave me her business/blogger card, I immediately recognized her from her Tweets.  We did not have a chance to chat, but we both realized that we would be attending Haute Social’s gathering on Monday night.

The environment was relaxed and festive, people were sipping on some Social-tini’s (Haute Social’s drink of the night) and talking about the fashion shows that they attended.  The infamous IMakeupMaven and I were reunited from last years media mixer.  It was nice to see old friends and network with some new ones.  Nothing beats a sexy lounge, with tasty drinks and good people who want to discuss FASHION.

Goodies are always fun – it’s always a treat to receive a gift bag at the end of the night.  My gift bag included Dermablend Professional makeup remover and L’BEL skin care lotion.  Other sponsors who donated to the goody bags were Degree Women anti aging cream (my mother loved that) and FLIRT! Cosmetics.  All in all, Haute Social had a successful turnout and I look forward to attending the next event in February 2011.