The CFDA Awards: Four Wearable Trends from the Oscars of Fashion

By Marni Elyse Katz
June 7, 2011

CFDA

Jessica Alba, Nicole Miller, Karolina Kurkova and Leelee Sobieski at the 2011 CFDA Awards

The Council of Fashion Designers of America held its esteemed award ceremony yesterday evening at Lincoln Center in New York City. Publicity stunts like Lady Gaga's aside (the winner of the Fashion Icon Award wore a custom Mugler studded thong), the night is really dedicated to the achievements of American fashion and accessory designers, as well as a few fashion journalists.

Among the Council of Fashion Designers of America's biggest award winners: The dynamic duo behind Proenza Schouler, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, won the coveted Womenswear Designer of the Year award, beating out industry darling Alexander Wang (who won Accessory Designer of the Year) and Marc Jacobs (who was granted the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award). Fashion Director of the The Telegraph Hilary Alexander, who is set to retire this year, won the Media Award; Michael Bastian bagged Menswear Designer of the Year; Prabal Gurung scored the Swarovski Award for Womenswear and Robert Geller received the Swarovski Award for Menswear.

There are no CFDA awards for best-dressed guests, but seeing how the celebrity-filled event has been dubbed “the Oscars of fashion,” there was plenty of red carpet fashion action. Ensembles veered more toward cocktail attire rather than the all-out glam of the Met’s Costume Institute Gala at which the same crowd gathered just a month ago. Translation: there are plenty of looks we will be able—and can’t wait—to wear.

Two-Tone Color Blocking

Jenna Lyons (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images), Ashley Greene (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images), Jessica Alba (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

The most prominent fashion trend of the CFDA awards was a two-tone color block pairing. Everyone from A-list celebs to industry insiders sported swathes of color blocking styles that popped.

Brights with black were most popular—actress Ashley Green did it in Michael Kors bubble gum pink and Linda Fargo, Women's Fashion Director at Bergdorf Goodman, shouted out with coral. Actress Jessica Alba and her bursting belly glowed in a pretty pair of colors compliments of Diane von Furstenberg. The brains and beauty behind J. Crew, Jenna Lyons, looked as amazing as ever in a slim sequined Granny Smith-colored pencil skirt and crisp but blousy white top. And, surprise, she clutched a candy apple red hand bag. Zing!

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The CFDA Awards: Four Wearable Trends from the Oscars of Fashion

The Deepest Emerald

Model Karolina Kurkova (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images), Anna Wintour (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage), Julie Macklowe (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Minty jade fashion trends made a showing last night on Lady Gaga’s bobbed wig, the Telegraph's Hilary Alexander’s shiny blazer (a topper for a sartorially challenged gold and brown skirt outfit) and supermodel Chanel Iman’s BCBG Max Azria blouson dress. But we were drawn to the emerald ensembles. Between the actual emeralds spotted on the red carpet at Cannes, and some standout looks last night, we think the green gem (and its fashion offspring) may eclipse Kate Middleton’s sapphire shout-outs.

Victoria’s Secret supermodel-turned actress-turned mom, Karolina Kurkova cloaked herself in a sequined Diane von Furstenberg sleeveless hooded (!) gown in the most gorgeous deep green. Semi-socialite-slash-hedge-fund-manager Julie Macklowe showed up with designer Zang Toi wearing a monstrosity of an emerald green satin robe atop a mini. One blog compared it to Andre Leon Talley’s voluminous periwinkle getup from this year’s Costume Institute Gala. We thought it reminiscent of “The Other Boleyn Girl” but whatev, at least the color was fab. Anna Wintour we daresay disappointed at first in a rather staid pairing of matronly cowl neck silk top and skirt. However, upon closer inspection said skirt was actually the deepest foresty emerald, beautifully embroidered with a lacy/leafy pattern of beading. Cinched with a black patent belt, it showed off her miniscule waist.

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A Shot of Yellow

Aerin Lauder (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images), Honoree Alexander Wang with Iris Apfel (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images), Nicole Miller (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

From canary to practically fluorescent, fashion industry ladies were loving shots of yellow last night. Estee Lauder heiress Aerin Lauder opted for a sleek but shirred pairing of bright yellow top and black mini. Grande dame Iris Apfel went long with a silky yellow tunic and full maxi gaucho like pants, accessorized with loads of multi length chains and an oversize cross choker. Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley donned a deep yellow mullet cut skirt, while designer Nicole Miller went with fluorescent yellow punctuations and actress Emmanuelle Chriqui showed off her enviable curves in a bright yellow mini with a skinny chiffon train.

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Crisp, Tailored Whites

Leelee Sobieski (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage), Kathy Griffin and Robert Verdi (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images), Kanye West (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Whites ruled spring runways and it seems the look has been eagerly embraced. In addition to quite a few tidy whites, from Sofia Coppola’s trim dress to model Liya Kebede’s boho silhouette, a number of fashion trend setters, both male and female, donned tailored white jackets.

Rapper Kanye West, the picture of casual cool, went with a white suit jacket by designer Tom Ford over distressed jeans, accessorized with a wristful of white bracelets. Unlike Kirsten Dunst, who looked stilted and stiff in her shiny tux and severe hairstyle, actress Leelee Sobieski wore a white one to perfection. The high-waisted, straightleg trouser, impeccably tailored jacket and loose but brushed back hair (plus red lips) were an exercise in restraint. Finally, style personality Robert Verdi cut a dashing figure in a creamy white satin tux jacket with contrasting black lapels.