Posted June 4th, 2008
Just got back eight hours ago from what some like to call fashion’s Oscar night. It’s the Council of Fashion
Designers of America’s annual awards gala in New York. Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Mandy Moore, Tina Fey, Diane Von Furstenberg, Harvey Weinstein, Kim Cattrall, Candace Bushnell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, LL Cool J and Sean “P.Diddy” Combs.
No one wanted to leave cocktails and go inside for the awards so the evening ran late. Awards ceremonies are boring really, unless you or your child is getting one. And at this one, people were more interested in having fun outdoors in the balmy weather, star gazing, chatting with colleagues, sipping champagne and catching up with old pals.
At dinner later, Ashley Olsen and Eva Mendes hung out to talk some more and Ashley took a smoke outside.
Eva screamed when she heard Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein had won Women’s Wear Designer of the Year, but I’m with Victoria Beckham. She wasn’t pleased with the outburst or the award and didn’t mind showing it. She looked shell-shocked.
Tom Ford picked up Menswear Designer of the Year, but should have been given an Oscar instead. In a short, funny film directed by the bountifully talented Douglas Keeve, Tom brilliantly played patient to Gabriel Byrne’s analyst. “I thought you would give me a hug,” he said heartbreakingly to Byrne.
Oh well, Tom, not every industry hugs and kisses as much as we do in the fashion world.
The CFDA gave a memory hug to Yves Saint Laurent, the greatest 20th century designer, who died on Sunday in Paris. The designer’s friend, Andre Leon Talley - serious in a bejeweled turban - said he will jet off to the funeral. Alas, Naomi Campbell, will not. “I started modeling for him when I was sixteen,” said Naomi, who was there with ALT, “I feel awful today.”
Naomi, DVF and Harper’s Bazaar’s Valerie Salambier, wore vintage YSL, in his honor.
But recalling the maestro didn’t dampen the mood of the evening. Carolina Herrera, who won the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, was delighted to see former jewelry designer and eBay vintage fashion specialist Ricky Serbin. (Ricky’s Exceptional Treasures) “I haven’t seen her in 20 years,” said Ricky, who used to work for Carolina.
“Ricky, you’ve gained weight,” she said, laughing. I’m not sure how she could tell what with Ricky in his vintage black and leopard Jean Paul Gaultier suit.
I tried to remember Ricky’s instructions on how to use his camera (press this button). Nate Berkus was coming through the crowd and Ricky has asked me to snap a picture of them together. (Maybe Ricky will let me post it later.) Had never seen Berkus before. Cute. Short though.
Speaking of short, most everyone in short – looked right. Obviously, that means I wore short. Short was anything from mid-thigh (on Posh Spice) to tea length (on Anna Wintour). I wore a Proenza Schouler that dipped just below the knee. I had expected to wear long, but was glad I didn’t.
Perhaps because YSL’s spirit was in the air, there were a surprising number of pants. A white suit on Carolina, black on DVF, president of the CFDA. Despite plenty of black and white, the evening was most certainly about color. Donna Karan in gorgeous red said she’s planning a day of spiritual renewal on Friday. Tory Burch, who most deservedly won Accessory Designer of the Year, in fuchsia. Eva Longoria in mauve-pink, Roopal Patel and Linda Fargo of Bergdorf Goodman in luscious shades of citrus, Georgina Chapman of Marchesa in berry, Pulitzer prize winner Robin Givhan in scarlet.
Making an early getaway after dinner, Isaac Mizrahi hit the sidewalk in a cool, loosely cut black suit he accessorized with flip flops and silver toe nail polish. Also heading for the exit to avoid car gridlock – Vera Wang, Fran Leibowitz, the evening’s delightfully droll MC and assorted Vogue editors – in short dresses, of course.
*Photos licensed to: ©PatrickMcMullan.com
Tagged: andre leon tally, calvin klein, cfda, diane von furstenberg, donna karan, Fashion, mandy moore, marc jacobs, p. diddy, tom ford, victoria beckham, ysl
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