Archive for the ‘CFDA’ Category

Our Fashion Oscars

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Can I tell you..about one of the most anticipated events of the year. The 28th annual CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards were back at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center for a second year in a row. This is the one evening when fashion, media and film come together to celebrate people in the fashion industry. It’s our version of the Oscars. Nominees are announced months in advance and members (350 and counting) of the Council are given the opportunity to vote for who they believe deserve the recognition. Awards are also given to individuals who have been influential through their body of work and have made an impact on fashion.

As you can imagine on such a glamorous event there was no shortage of Hollywood stars who came to support their favorite designers. The relationship between Hollywood and Fashion has always been a cozy and close knit one. Gwyneth Paltrow arrived with Michael Kors, wearing the designer’s asymmetrical black gown. Supermodel Iman wore a stunning couture number from Giambattista Valli and Sarah Jessica Parker looked resplendent in a bright Alexander McQueen fairytale gown. I went with my girlfriend Stylelist’s Fashion Editor Sarah Cristobal and my friend menswear designer John Bartlett.

The pre-show cocktails is always so much fun with celebs, designers, stylists, editors and industry executives schmoozing and hobnobbing with each other. In one corner Actor Ed Westwick was discussing his next project while behind me actress Jessica Biel was planning her summer vacation with who else?! Zachary Quinto looked every bit the leading man in his Simon Spurr suit and designer Richard Chai was toasting with actor Hayden Christensen. Meanwhile, accessory designer Alexis Bittar was caught shamelessly flirting with Lulu and Betsey Johnson. Designer Prabal Gurung was bubbling with excitement to be nominated and brought supermodel Heidi Mount who wore a Rafe minaudiere! In fact, Amanda Hearst, Eugenia Gonzalez-Olloqui and Sarah Cristobal were all wearing Rafe bags that evening, much to my delight!

Sarah Jessica paid tribute to Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide in February, before a flow of models presented his final collection in a mini fashion show. That was a poignant moment.

I was really happy that my friend, jewelry designer Alexis Bittar won the Accessories Designer of the Year. I’ve known Alexis for years and this was well deserved and long overdue.

I loved Paper Magazine’s Kim Hastreiter’s short film trailing her day-to-day life complete with fab dinner party scenes. She received the Eugenia Sheppard Award acceptance speech and rocked the crowd when she said, “Just because you’re cute, well-connected, rich or the offspring of someone famous doesn’t mean you design great stuff!” Hmmm, I wonder which celebrity /designers she was referring to? Ha!

The funniest line of the evening came from model-turned-cosmetics mogul Iman, who received the Fashion Icon Award. During the 54-year-old’s acceptance speech, Iman joked to her famous spouse: ‘Move over, you’re not the only icon in the house.’

As soon as the awards were over, everybody made a mad dash to the Standard Hotel’s Boom Boom Room for the After-Party hosted by Swarovski where the drinks continued to flow all night.

Posted in CFDA, Rafe Totengco | 1 Comment »

Where the Boys are

Saturday, February 28th, 2009


Can I tell you…about the GQ party. At the beginning of New York Fashion Week this year, GQ held its second annual Best New Menswear Designer in America contest in conjunction with the CFDA. The six finalists were Yigal Azrouel, Shipley & Halmos, Save Khaki, Robert Geller, Rogues Gallery and Benjamin Bixby. As you can imagine, it was a who’s who in the menswear industry as well as CFDA members, groupies and bloggers. Since I belong to each category, my attendance was non-negotiable.
I went with my partner in crime, Peter Som. It’s so much more fun to shop with a friend. Don’t you agree?The event was held in the same loft like space at Rockfeller Plaza. Each designer had a tableau vivant of rotating models wearing carefully curated outfits that best represented their collection. The boys were elevated on pedestals so we could get up close and personal, scrutinize the details and ‘shop’ the looks. Robert Geller’s singular vision was a standout for me. His cut and tailoring is superb and his point of view is so original. I’ve got my eye on a few pieces that will go perfectly with what I already own. They are just what I need to update my wardrobe.I also like Yigal Azrouel’s slouchy ombre’ knits and stylized mountain boots. His bohemian aesthetic totally appeals to me as well.Later, I found out that Robert was the winner of the competition. I’m so happy for him. Robert is one of the nicest guys in the business. He is fiercely determined and oozing with talent. Aside from winning $50,000 as part of his prize, he will also be creating a mini-collection for Levis to be sold on their website and a few Bloomingdales stores for one month. Mark your calendars! These limited edition pieces are guaranteed to sell out in days! Robert has a strong and loyal following.This was one party I’m glad I didn’t miss. Aside from seeing what the boys wear, I like to be where the boys are!

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Posted in CFDA, GQ Best New Menswear Designer in America, Mens Fashion, Peter Som, Rafe Totengco, Robert Geller, Yigal Azrouel | 4 Comments »

Where the Boys are

Saturday, February 28th, 2009


Can I tell you…about the GQ party. At the beginning of New York Fashion Week this year, GQ held its second annual Best New Menswear Designer in America contest in conjunction with the CFDA. The six finalists were Yigal Azrouel, Shipley & Halmos, Save Khaki, Robert Geller, Rogues Gallery and Benjamin Bixby. As you can imagine, it was a who’s who in the menswear industry as well as CFDA members, groupies and bloggers. Since I belong to each category, my attendance was non-negotiable.
I went with my partner in crime, Peter Som. It’s so much more fun to shop with a friend. Don’t you agree?The event was held in the same loft like space at Rockfeller Plaza. Each designer had a tableau vivant of rotating models wearing carefully curated outfits that best represented their collection. The boys were elevated on pedestals so we could get up close and personal, scrutinize the details and ‘shop’ the looks. Robert Geller’s singular vision was a standout for me. His cut and tailoring is superb and his point of view is so original. I’ve got my eye on a few pieces that will go perfectly with what I already own. They are just what I need to update my wardrobe.I also like Yigal Azrouel’s slouchy ombre’ knits and stylized mountain boots. His bohemian aesthetic totally appeals to me as well.Later, I found out that Robert was the winner of the competition. I’m so happy for him. Robert is one of the nicest guys in the business. He is fiercely determined and oozing with talent. Aside from winning $50,000 as part of his prize, he will also be creating a mini-collection for Levis to be sold on their website and a few Bloomingdales stores for one month. Mark your calendars! These limited edition pieces are guaranteed to sell out in days! Robert has a strong and loyal following.This was one party I’m glad I didn’t miss. Aside from seeing what the boys wear, I like to be where the boys are!

http://www.rafe.com

Posted in CFDA, GQ Best New Menswear Designer in America, Mens Fashion, Peter Som, Rafe Totengco, Robert Geller, Yigal Azrouel | No Comments »

The Night Before

Monday, June 2nd, 2008


Can I tell you…about the Swarvoski / CFDA cocktail party. Every year, Nadja Swarovski hosts a cocktail party in honor of all the nominees and awardees before the Awards night. This year, they held it at Norwood, a private club ( yeah, another one) on 14th street in Chelsea.I went with my friend, the statuesque and effervescent Zani Gugelmann. Anybody who knows Zani knows she knows how to ‘represent’. Tonight she was representing me. She wore my “Martina” gold laser cut clutch with a white linen Dolce bustier dress and gold platform slingbacks. FYI, this clutch is sold out everywhere but you can still borrow it. Just log on to Bag Borrow or Steal.She turned heads everywhere and the photographers couldn’t get enough of her. CFDA members, press and fashionistas quickly filled the 4 story brownstone/clubhouse. The drinks flowed and the food was abundant. Not only did they have servers walking around with trays of nibbles but they also had an impressive smorgasboard on the second floor. A live band kept everybody in a great mood.Everybody showed up. Dries Van Noten ( receiving the International Award)flew in from Antwerp, Diane (DVF), Michael (Kors),Stan (Herman), the boys from Proenza, Doo Ri, Thakoon, Richard and John (Lambertson Truex),Amy Larocca of NY magazine,Laird Borrelli and Meenal Mistry from Style.com, Brian Coats from GQ, Jim Shi from the Daily and the girls from Vogue.
Ashley Olsen was seen chatting with Candy Pratts Price(Style.com), who is receiving an award. I suspect an accessories collection by the wonder twins in the making.Roopal Patel was catching up with Eugenia Gonzalez and Michael Bastian(menswear nominee).Linda Fargo showed up wearing a stunning Tony Duquette necklace, turning everybody green with envy!Fresh in from LA, Monique L’huillier and her husband Tom huddled in a corner with TV host Mary Alice Stephenson. Could Monique be the next guest judge in “America’s Smartest Model”?Gilles(Mendel),Zani and I were tempted to extend the party elsewhere but we knew better.We still had to look fresh for the next evening’s festivities. After all, this was just the party the night before.

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Posted in CFDA, Nadja Swarovski, Norwood, Rafe Totengco, Zani Gugelmann | 4 Comments »

The Night Before

Monday, June 2nd, 2008


Can I tell you…about the Swarvoski / CFDA cocktail party. Every year, Nadja Swarovski hosts a cocktail party in honor of all the nominees and awardees before the Awards night. This year, they held it at Norwood, a private club ( yeah, another one) on 14th street in Chelsea.I went with my friend, the statuesque and effervescent Zani Gugelmann. Anybody who knows Zani knows she knows how to ‘represent’. Tonight she was representing me. She wore my “Martina” gold laser cut clutch with a white linen Dolce bustier dress and gold platform slingbacks. FYI, this clutch is sold out everywhere but you can still borrow it. Just log on to Bag Borrow or Steal.She turned heads everywhere and the photographers couldn’t get enough of her. CFDA members, press and fashionistas quickly filled the 4 story brownstone/clubhouse. The drinks flowed and the food was abundant. Not only did they have servers walking around with trays of nibbles but they also had an impressive smorgasboard on the second floor. A live band kept everybody in a great mood.Everybody showed up. Dries Van Noten ( receiving the International Award)flew in from Antwerp, Diane (DVF), Michael (Kors),Stan (Herman), the boys from Proenza, Doo Ri, Thakoon, Richard and John (Lambertson Truex),Amy Larocca of NY magazine,Laird Borrelli and Meenal Mistry from Style.com, Brian Coats from GQ, Jim Shi from the Daily and the girls from Vogue.
Ashley Olsen was seen chatting with Candy Pratts Price(Style.com), who is receiving an award. I suspect an accessories collection by the wonder twins in the making.Roopal Patel was catching up with Eugenia Gonzalez and Michael Bastian(menswear nominee).Linda Fargo showed up wearing a stunning Tony Duquette necklace, turning everybody green with envy!Fresh in from LA, Monique L’huillier and her husband Tom huddled in a corner with TV host Mary Alice Stephenson. Could Monique be the next guest judge in “America’s Smartest Model”?Gilles(Mendel),Zani and I were tempted to extend the party elsewhere but we knew better.We still had to look fresh for the next evening’s festivities. After all, this was just the party the night before.

http://www.rafe.com

Posted in CFDA, Nadja Swarovski, Norwood, Rafe Totengco, Zani Gugelmann | No Comments »

7th on Sale

Monday, November 19th, 2007


Can I tell you…about 7th on Sale. Last November 15, the CFDA & Vogue magazine hosted the biggest and chicest sample sale of the year to raise money for the fight against HIV and Aids. Months of planning and thousands of designer donations later, the 69th Regiment Armory was transformed into a majestic medieval castle replete with a bazaar full of merchandise all priced at 70% retail! I donated several choice samples from my Fall collection. By the time we got there, only 1 was left, which is a good sign.

I went with my girlfriend Ann Watson, who also happens to be the fashion director of Henri Bendels. We came for dessert, shopping and for some good old people watching. This was a much anticipated event. Hordes of celebrities, socialites, fashionistas and designers showed up and shopped til they dropped.
How can you resist cashmere sweaters for $60 in 20 colors. Oy, it was not easy. There were books, shoes, bedding, mens, kids, womens, home and art! My favorite were iconic photographs from the pages of Vogue. Unfortunately those sold like hotcakes. Within an hour they were all sold out.

The best one was Peter Lindbergh’s photo of Christy, Naomi, Cindy and Linda all wearing Chanel biker chic on location in Dumbo. That sold for $50k!

Fashion illustrations by Ruben Toledo were sold instantly of course. Darn!
We bumped into Tracy Reese, wearing her Rafe gold python clutch. John Bartlett was casually going through the racks of menswear. Thakoon, Philip, Narciso, Donna, Diane,and Peter (you know all their last names, don’t you) were all busy shopping and schmoozing.
Actors Jennifer Connelly, Kate Bosworth and Ashley Oslon did some major credit card damage as well. Natalia Vodianova was wearing a gorgeous vintage Valentino pink chiffon with ostrich feathers at the hem. I managed to snap the back view.
We caught up with Mary Alice Stephenson who is co-hosting America’s Smartest Model…really funny in a sic sort of way.

Constance White was telling me her Rafe bag story, apparently everybody has one!
The sale opened to the public for the next three days. This event’s goal is to raise over $3.4 million. If you missed the actual shopping event, you can still go and buy online via E-bay. So what are you waiting for…shop!

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Posted in 7th on Sale, CFDA | 6 Comments »

7th on Sale

Monday, November 19th, 2007


Can I tell you…about 7th on Sale. Last November 15, the CFDA & Vogue magazine hosted the biggest and chicest sample sale of the year to raise money for the fight against HIV and Aids. Months of planning and thousands of designer donations later, the 69th Regiment Armory was transformed into a majestic medieval castle replete with a bazaar full of merchandise all priced at 70% retail! I donated several choice samples from my Fall collection. By the time we got there, only 1 was left, which is a good sign.

I went with my girlfriend Ann Watson, who also happens to be the fashion director of Henri Bendels. We came for dessert, shopping and for some good old people watching. This was a much anticipated event. Hordes of celebrities, socialites, fashionistas and designers showed up and shopped til they dropped.
How can you resist cashmere sweaters for $60 in 20 colors. Oy, it was not easy. There were books, shoes, bedding, mens, kids, womens, home and art! My favorite were iconic photographs from the pages of Vogue. Unfortunately those sold like hotcakes. Within an hour they were all sold out.

The best one was Peter Lindbergh’s photo of Christy, Naomi, Cindy and Linda all wearing Chanel biker chic on location in Dumbo. That sold for $50k!

Fashion illustrations by Ruben Toledo were sold instantly of course. Darn!
We bumped into Tracy Reese, wearing her Rafe gold python clutch. John Bartlett was casually going through the racks of menswear. Thakoon, Philip, Narciso, Donna, Diane,and Peter (you know all their last names, don’t you) were all busy shopping and schmoozing.
Actors Jennifer Connelly, Kate Bosworth and Ashley Oslon did some major credit card damage as well. Natalia Vodianova was wearing a gorgeous vintage Valentino pink chiffon with ostrich feathers at the hem. I managed to snap the back view.
We caught up with Mary Alice Stephenson who is co-hosting America’s Smartest Model…really funny in a sic sort of way.

Constance White was telling me her Rafe bag story, apparently everybody has one!
The sale opened to the public for the next three days. This event’s goal is to raise over $3.4 million. If you missed the actual shopping event, you can still go and buy online via E-bay. So what are you waiting for…shop!

http://www.rafe.com

Posted in 7th on Sale, CFDA | No Comments »

30/30

Monday, August 27th, 2007


Can I tell you …about the party for the 30 new members of the CFDA. Last July 30, Diane Von Furstenberg, CFDA’s president and the board of directors hosted a cocktail reception for the organization’s lastest inductees. Every year the CFDA admissions committee meet to select and approve or reject a list of designers applying for membership. Unfortunately, I can’t divulge what the requirements are, the process and who are on that committee. I just know that it’s not that easy to be approved. Not everybody who wants to get in, gets in.
This year’s party was held at Diane’s fabulous new store/showroom/design studio/pied-a-terre space in the heart of the Meatpacking district. Designed by Dan Wood and Amale Andraos, it has the most amazing views from the top. We got a private tour and our jaws dropped. The design studio is exactly what you imagine design studios to look like. Colorful, inspiring, lost of light and space, surrounded by books and art…in a word..WOW! Then there’s the rooftop garden where Diane practices yoga and employees can have lunch. I couldn’t take photos, sorry.

This year we accepted 30 members, the biggest number ever. I think it’s a first actually. They are: Kate and Laura Mulleavy from Rodarte, James Perse, Laura Poretzky from Abaete, Jessie Randall, Lela Rose, Rachel Roy, Michelle Smith of Milly, Jean Yu, Tory Burch, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig from Marchesa, Justin Giunta, Philip Lim and Adam Lippes among others.



It was a fun party and it was great to meet the new members as well as mingle with select editors and press. Everybody was bemoaning the near end of summer and anticipating the craziness of fashion week which is early this year to accommodate the Jewish Holiday. It is New York fashion week after all. Oy vey!

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Posted in CFDA | 8 Comments »

30/30

Monday, August 27th, 2007


Can I tell you …about the party for the 30 new members of the CFDA. Last July 30, Diane Von Furstenberg, CFDA’s president and the board of directors hosted a cocktail reception for the organization’s lastest inductees. Every year the CFDA admissions committee meet to select and approve or reject a list of designers applying for membership. Unfortunately, I can’t divulge what the requirements are, the process and who are on that committee. I just know that it’s not that easy to be approved. Not everybody who wants to get in, gets in.
This year’s party was held at Diane’s fabulous new store/showroom/design studio/pied-a-terre space in the heart of the Meatpacking district. Designed by Dan Wood and Amale Andraos, it has the most amazing views from the top. We got a private tour and our jaws dropped. The design studio is exactly what you imagine design studios to look like. Colorful, inspiring, lost of light and space, surrounded by books and art…in a word..WOW! Then there’s the rooftop garden where Diane practices yoga and employees can have lunch. I couldn’t take photos, sorry.

This year we accepted 30 members, the biggest number ever. I think it’s a first actually. They are: Kate and Laura Mulleavy from Rodarte, James Perse, Laura Poretzky from Abaete, Jessie Randall, Lela Rose, Rachel Roy, Michelle Smith of Milly, Jean Yu, Tory Burch, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig from Marchesa, Justin Giunta, Philip Lim and Adam Lippes among others.



It was a fun party and it was great to meet the new members as well as mingle with select editors and press. Everybody was bemoaning the near end of summer and anticipating the craziness of fashion week which is early this year to accommodate the Jewish Holiday. It is New York fashion week after all. Oy vey!

http://www.rafe.com

Posted in CFDA | No Comments »

Our Oscars

Friday, June 8th, 2007


Can I tell you…about the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)Awards night. It’s our version of the Oscars. This year is the 25th Anniversary of the awards show and it was Diane Von Furstenburg’s 1st major event as President. The designer attendance was impressive. Donna, Vera, Ralph, Oscar, Marc, Michael ( you don’t need last names do you?) and the rest of the membership. She even got Calvin Klein to come out and he almost never shows up for anything. We also got our share of Hollywood A-listers: Eva Mendes, Claire Daines with BF Hugh Dancy, Chloe Sevigny, Oprah Winfrey, Kate Bosworth, Uma Thurman, Heidi Klum, Iman with husband David Bowie, The Olsen Twins and Ellen Barkin who was the hostess of the evening.
My date for the evening was Japanese runway superstar Anne Watanabe (yes, she is Ken’s daughter) who flew in from Tokyo a couple of days before. Coincidentally she was scheduled to be in town for a photo shoot so it all worked out. I got her a white mini bustier dress from Peter (Som) to showcase my silver snake clutch and bejeweled platform slingbacks. She looked divine of course with smokey eyes, a little bit of glitter and a neutral glossy lip.
This was her first CFDA awards so she brought her camera to take her own pictures. At some point we were starting to compete with each other it was kinda funny. She knew a lot of the designers she already modeled for so that was great. We worked the room during cocktails til Diane was literally shooing everybody to dinner. Cocktails is the best part of this event as far as I’m concerned. You get to see everybody up close and it’s the best people watching…I swear. The champagne is flowing so the mood is festive and you can chat up almost anyone you want to. There’s a lot of networking going on and secret deals being hatched, or so I’ve heard.

The dinner was brief, thank God but the whole ceremony still took several hours. We didn’t get out of there til 11:30 and we got there at 6:30. Imagine that! Poor Anne, her jet lag hit her at about 10ish and she could barely keep her eyes open but she was a trooper. Ralph won 2 awards, Oscar and Proenza Schouler were a tie ( a first), Derek took the accessories award and Piere Cardin took the International Award.

Annoyingly Monsieur Cardin gave his acceptance speech entirely in French and we know he speaks fluent English. Was this his way of giving us the finger? We all looked at each other in disbelief. Diane even made her way to the stage to bring him down but thankfully he finished just before she could yank him.
I dragged Anne to another party after for Zappos but they had already finished so we headed home. Besides, she was already falling alseep in the car. I promised to take her for some Filipino food this weekend. She was craving for some since she was in the Philippines a few weeks ago for a photo shoot. So we’re off to Cendrillon!

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Posted in Anne Watanabe, CFDA | 18 Comments »

Our Oscars

Friday, June 8th, 2007


Can I tell you…about the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)Awards night. It’s our version of the Oscars. This year is the 25th Anniversary of the awards show and it was Diane Von Furstenburg’s 1st major event as President. The designer attendance was impressive. Donna, Vera, Ralph, Oscar, Marc, Michael ( you don’t need last names do you?) and the rest of the membership. She even got Calvin Klein to come out and he almost never shows up for anything. We also got our share of Hollywood A-listers: Eva Mendes, Claire Daines with BF Hugh Dancy, Chloe Sevigny, Oprah Winfrey, Kate Bosworth, Uma Thurman, Heidi Klum, Iman with husband David Bowie, The Olsen Twins and Ellen Barkin who was the hostess of the evening.
My date for the evening was Japanese runway superstar Anne Watanabe (yes, she is Ken’s daughter) who flew in from Tokyo a couple of days before. Coincidentally she was scheduled to be in town for a photo shoot so it all worked out. I got her a white mini bustier dress from Peter (Som) to showcase my silver snake clutch and bejeweled platform slingbacks. She looked divine of course with smokey eyes, a little bit of glitter and a neutral glossy lip.
This was her first CFDA awards so she brought her camera to take her own pictures. At some point we were starting to compete with each other it was kinda funny. She knew a lot of the designers she already modeled for so that was great. We worked the room during cocktails til Diane was literally shooing everybody to dinner. Cocktails is the best part of this event as far as I’m concerned. You get to see everybody up close and it’s the best people watching…I swear. The champagne is flowing so the mood is festive and you can chat up almost anyone you want to. There’s a lot of networking going on and secret deals being hatched, or so I’ve heard.

The dinner was brief, thank God but the whole ceremony still took several hours. We didn’t get out of there til 11:30 and we got there at 6:30. Imagine that! Poor Anne, her jet lag hit her at about 10ish and she could barely keep her eyes open but she was a trooper. Ralph won 2 awards, Oscar and Proenza Schouler were a tie ( a first), Derek took the accessories award and Piere Cardin took the International Award.

Annoyingly Monsieur Cardin gave his acceptance speech entirely in French and we know he speaks fluent English. Was this his way of giving us the finger? We all looked at each other in disbelief. Diane even made her way to the stage to bring him down but thankfully he finished just before she could yank him.
I dragged Anne to another party after for Zappos but they had already finished so we headed home. Besides, she was already falling alseep in the car. I promised to take her for some Filipino food this weekend. She was craving for some since she was in the Philippines a few weeks ago for a photo shoot. So we’re off to Cendrillon!

http://www.rafe.com

Posted in Anne Watanabe, CFDA | No Comments »