I had the honor of being invited to the 9th Annual Style Awards Wednesday in New York City! Celebrities and style elites came out to celebrate the Style Awards at The Stage at Lincoln Center to kick off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  The evening opened with a star studded red carpet arrival, followed by cocktail hour where VIP’s mingled and sipped champagne before heading into the award show.

The 9th Annual Style Awards honored the fashion industry’s top designers, stylists, hair and makeup artists with Style Awards presented by Hollywood’s A-listers including; Katie Holmes, Amy Adams and Nicole Richie, to name a few.  Highlighted honorees included; Carolina Herrera (awarded Designer of the Year), Katharine McPhee (awarded One to Watch, female) and Ed Westwick(awarded One to Watch, male).

2012 categories, honorees and presenters include: 

“Designer of the Year” – Carolina Herrera, award presented by Katie Holmes

“Breakthrough Designer of the Year” – Prabal Gurung, award presented by Elettra Wiedemann

“One to Watch (Female)” – Katharine McPhee, award presented by Joe Zee

“One to Watch (Male)” – Ed Westwick, award presented by Simon Spurr

“Celebrity Stylist of the Year” – Cristina Ehrlich, award presented by Amy Adams

“Model of the Year” – Joan Smalls, award presented by Iman

“Hair Stylist of the Year” – Andy Lecompte, award presented by Nicole Richie

“Most Stylish Athlete” – Henrik Lundqvist, award presented by Jeff Gordon

“TV Costume Designer of the Year” – Jenn Rogien, award presented by Allison Williams

“Makeup Artist of the Year” – Virginia Young, award presented by Elaine Irwin

“Accessories Designer of the Year” – Reed Krakoff, award presented by Rachel Taylor

“Film Costume Designer of the Year” – Sandy Powell, award presented by Hal Rubenstein

Highlights from the evening include:

Katie Holmes donning Carolina Herrera, made her 1st official public appearance since the divorce to honor one of her favorite designers, Ms. Herrera. Katie was poised, elegant and extremely excited to be a part of the 9th Annual Style Awards.

A solo Ed Westwick was honored to accept his award as male “One to Watch” but was extremely tight lipped about on the upcoming final season of Gossip Girl. At the end of the night he entered his limo in true Chuck Bass fashion.

Nicole Richie, attached at the hip to her best friend hair stylist (Andy Lecompte, winner), played around backstage while sipping cocktails and posing for pictures.

Amy Adams, in a head to toe purple sequin dress, was thrilled to present to her stylist pal, Cristina Ehrlich, smiling and laughing throughout the night.

Katharine McPhee was in great spirits as she celebrated both her win as female “One to Watch” as well the upcoming 2nd season of hit show SMASH.

The Style Awards will make their primetime broadcast debut on NBC’s Style Network on Friday, September 14th at 8pm ET/PT.

Photos Source: Sarah Hanna/HLGRP/GettyImages (Hi-Res) Zimbio.com (Low-Res)

Anndra Neen is the winner of the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The award was bestowed last night in The Rodeo Ballroom at The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection, after a spectacular runway presentation featuring models from cycle 18 of America’s Next Top Model. The event was filmed for an upcoming episode of America’s Next Top Model, which will air in spring 2012.

Anndra Neen received USD $40,000 from Dorchester Collection as well as the opportunity to display their work at Dorchester Collection’s iconic Hôtel Plaza Athénée during Paris Fashion Week in 2012.

The judges of the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize included W’s contributing fashion editor Giovanna Battaglia; author and editor Derek Blasberg; award-winning designers Thom Browne and women‟s creative director of Calvin Klein Collection Francisco Costa; Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa; Shala Monroque, creative director of Garage Magazine; Moda Operandi co-founder and creative director Lauren Santo Domingo; and Vanity Fair contributing editor Elizabeth Saltzman.

After a tense deliberation period, the judges agreed that the collection displayed by Anndra Neen best evoked the spirit of individuality, luxury, style and craftsmanship, which characterizes Dorchester Collection‟s iconic hotels. Their work also demonstrated critical distinction and the potential for future commercial success.

“Dorchester Collection has a long-standing and illustrious association with fashion and in launching the Fashion Prize we became the first luxury hotel group to bestow such a prestigious award. We are delighted to be promoting young talent and are confident that Anndra Neen will have a flourishing career. We look forward to their continued success,” said Julia Record, director of communications, Dorchester Collection.

The Grand Final runway presentation of the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize was staged by the four designers shortlisted for the prize - Anndra Neen, Giulietta, Julian Louie and Siki Im. Its preparation process was captured by America’s Next Top Model.

“Being there at the beginning of people‟s careers to help support them is something I truly enjoy and Anndra Neen displayed a multi-cultural talent of mixing art with fashion, which is timely. They are two empowered women who have created a family business and have a real depth of talent,” said Elizabeth Saltzman, judge of Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. “Dorchester Collection has created a Fashion Prize that provides a strong foundation for upcoming designers to build their brand on.”

Photos by Getty Images/Dorchester Collection

The five designers shortlisted for the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize are:

• Anndra Neen
• Giulietta
• Julian Louie
• Setareh Mohtarez
• Siki Im
  
  
  After two hours of intense deliberation, the judging panel selected the shortlist from a group of 77 designers who applied for the Prize.
  
  The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize made its debut in North America this year and was open to designers of ready-to-wear and accessories who are based there. Applicants must have operated their brand for two years and consistently produced commercial collections.
  
  Ultimately, at the Grand Final of the Prize in Fall 2011, one designer from the shortlist will receive USD $40,000 plus the opportunity to display their collection during Paris Fashion Week in 2012 at Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Located in the heart of the Paris Haute Couture District, Hôtel Plaza Athénée is one of two Dorchester Collection hotels in the French capital. Considered one of the world’s most beautiful hotels, it is also steeped in fashion history. Christian Dior established his couture house nearby and considered it his “second home.”
  
  “The support of Dorchester Collection is vital to fashion. Judging the Prize was a genuine experience. It will bring new talent to another level. The five designers who have qualified for the shortlist will gain from it and so will all of the applicants because of the exposure,” said Francisco Costa, women’s creative director of Calvin Klein Collection and one of the judges for the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize.
  
  The judging panel of the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize includes Giovanna Battaglia, internationally acclaimed fashion editor; Derek Blasberg, editor and best-selling author; Thom Browne, award-winning menswear designer; Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, co-founders of Marchesa; Francisco Costa, women’s creative director of Calvin Klein Collection; Shala Monroque, fashion and art consultant; Lauren Santo Domingo, Moda Operandi co-founder and creative director; and Elizabeth Saltzman, Vanity Fair contributing editor.
  

“It is a great honor for the five designers to be shortlisted for the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize because they were selected by an incomparable panel of fashion industry professionals who are leaders in their chosen fields,” explains Bronwyn Cosgrave. As chairperson of the Prize, Cosgrave moderated the shortlist session. “The winner of the Prize will receive a substantial brand-building endowment and the rare opportunity to display their work to the international buyers and editors who flock to Hôtel Plaza Athénée during Paris fashion week. They will also emerge with something priceless – namely, the confidence imbued by the recognition they have gained from our expert judges.”

For an inside look at the judges’ panel session and event announcement, visit the Dorchester Collection YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/dorchestercollection

For more information, please visit www.dorchestercollection.com/dorchester-prize or follow the latest updates on the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize Facebook page.

Photos via Wireimage.com

The annual grand fantastical fashionable event of the year took place last night at The Met. The event of course, was none other than the Costume Institute Gala Benefit at The  Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

The Costume Institute Gala Benefit celebrated the opening of the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” exhibition, featuring the late designer’s iconic work.

There were so many stand out dresses at this year’s Met Gala! Mine favorite look was from Daphne Guinness who sported the iconic feathered dress from McQueen’s Spring 2011 collection.

Daphne and a few others wore McQueen as a tribute to the late talented designer. I love the dress and his work speak for itself. Truly legendary. Their won't be another McQueen.


From the press release:

“Alexander McQueen was best known for his astonishing and extravagant runway presentations, which were given dramatic scenarios and narrative structures that suggested avant-garde installation and performance art,” said Andrew Bolton, Curator of the Costume Institute. “His fashions were an outlet for his emotions, an expression of the deepest, often darkest, aspects of his imagination. He was a true romantic in the Byronic sense of the word – he channeled the sublime.”

Check out the gallery below to see the red carpet and exhibit photos from The Met . Who was best dressed? Any favorites?

I had the pleasure of attending the 33rd Annual American Image Awards at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 in New York City.  The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market.

Benefiting the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the AAFA awards was the event to be! An estimate 700 people* in attendance: industry vets,  A-List celebs and designers all came out to show their support for one another. At this year’s event, The AAFA honored the following brands and individuals:

Mark Weber (Chairman and CEO of Donna Karan Internationl) He won the Man Of The Year Award, presented by Antoni Belloni.

Jonathan Joselove (GNM, Neiman Marcus) His brand won the Retailer Of The Year Award, presented by Ken Downing.

Ruben & Isabel Toledo ( Designers of Isabel Toldeo) They won the Fashion Maverick Award, presented by Whoopi Goldberg.

Colin Dyne (CEO of William Rast/People’s Liberation, Inc.) Brand Of The Year Award. This is a huge honor for a brand! Big congrats!

Connie Rishwain (President of UGG Austraila) Footwear Brand Of The Year Award. Another huge honor!

David Koch, was presented with the Humanitarian Award, by Michael Milken, the man behind The Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Robert Verdi, Celebrity stylist to the stars, was this year’s emcee (host).

Congrats to all of the honorees! Very well deserved!

I arrived at the AAIA around 5:30 P.M (also called ‘ The AAFA Gala’) with my lovely plus one (mom!). I was fortunate enough to borrow a beautiful dress from Rebecca Taylor. The dress code for this event was cocktail party chic: black tie optional. I wanted to look my best, so I looked no further. I had 3 options of dresses to choose from and I selected the beautiful panther dress from their Spring 2011 Collection.

The dress was not presented on the runway, but you can still buy the dress I wore at their store online.

After the selection, I had a few hours to head into the event. I checked in and made my way to the VIP reception upstairs. As I took the elevator to the ballroom, I was amazed and so overwhelmed with delight! It was like a dream. I quickly moved to the ‘food’ table and was happily to take pics of the food and dining area. The lights were blue and dim, so each one of us (party people!) had a beautiful glow on their faces.

We finally then headed into the VIP reception area, I pose for a couple of photos and met with my mom, who was chatting up a storm. I found her chatting and mingling with several people, including the very humble Joe Dixon, Vice President, Production & Technical Services of Brooks Brothers.

Earlier, I found myself chatting with Jon Martinez, Public Relations Manger of Viva International Group, one of the sponsors of the event. Very nice and humble! I was new to this event and he gave me good encouragement. He led me to the press and media area, next to the red carpet and introduced me to the President of the Viva International Group.

I became very comfortable on the red carpet and took my place. It was not long before I was interviewing Robert Verdi, who was hilarious! He was so down to earth and made us laugh with glee! He was excited to host the awards and was very supportive of the cause. After Robert, I saw Colin Dyne, Donna Karan and Whoopi Goldberg. All three was busy with reporters and photographers. Finally, Both Donna Karan and Colin Dyne made their way to our media table. I was behind Desiree Rabuse, freelance editor of Black Book Magazine, who got the opportunity to interview both Colin Dyne and then Donna Karan. I could not reach Colin in time for an interview.

Soon after, Donna Karan gave a quick interview to an editor, and then made her way to Me and Desiree. She was very sweet and so freaking cool! I overheard her talking to the editor in front of me saying that she loves Virgos! I am a proud Virgo and told her so! After a quick interview, the time was approaching for the award show to begin.

We took a few more pics, with Donna Karan and began to said our goodbyes. It was by far, the best night of my life.  Not only this was a fashionable event but also a great event for a great cause.  *Over 1.1 million dollars were raised for the awareness of prostate cancer.  For more info on The Prostate Cancer Foundation & to donate, please visit PFC.org

*Source: Daily Front Row

Photos via Phillippe Noisette/Wenn, The Bromley Group and Wireimage.

Special thanks to The Bromley Group, AAFA & Amanda (Rebecca Taylor)