Menswear Designer of the year Thom Browne, left, and presenter Harry Connick Jr., right, pose backstage for photographers at the 2006 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York, Monday, June 5, 2006
Their gowns and tuxedos are on the red carpet all the time, but fashion designers themselves were primed for the spotlight Monday night at the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards.
Ensuring no shortage of famous faces, though, most designers were bringing a celebrity as their date. Max Azria, the Los Angeles-based designer of his signature collection and BCBG, announced he planned to attend the black-tie ceremony at the New York Public Library with his wife, Lubov; actresses Jaime King and Amanda Bynes; and singers Rihanna and Amerie.
Jeremy Piven, star of HBO's "Entourage," was the ceremony's host.
The top prize at the CFDAs, the fashion world equivalent of the Oscars, was best womenswear designer. The nominees were Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler and Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs.
Outstanding menswear nominees were Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne and Cloak's Alexandre Plokhov, for menswear designer; and Tom Binns, Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors for top accessory designer.
There were separate awards for emerging talent. Doo-Ri Chung, Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte and Thakoon Panichgul were nominated for womenswear. Steven Cox and Daniel Silver for Duckie Brown; Nathan Bogle, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone; and Jeff Halmos, Josia Lamberto-Egan, Sam Shipley and John Whitledge for Trovata were the nominees for menswear. And Devi Kroell, Alyssa Norton and Jessie Randall for Loeffler Randall were in the running for accessories.
Nominees are selected by the CFDA membership, press, retailers and stylists.
Winners of special awards were previously announced, including Olivier Theyskens of Rochas for outstanding international designer and Stan Herman for lifetime achievement.
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