'Who Gets Your Fashion Vote?'

Kicking off the work week at the Lincoln Center this Monday, June 7, is a Council of Fashion Designers of America’s salute to fashion.

The 2010 CFDA awards will honor designers that have dedicated a lifetime to their craft (Michael Kors), pushed a design and luxury label to new international heights (Christopher Bailey), and left behind a fashion legacy to serve as inspiration for many to come (Alexander McQueen).

The other 19 nominees will be chosen from a list of categories, including ‘Designer of the Year Awards’ and ‘Swarovski Awards’ in womenswear, menswear and accessory design. The following nominees are some of my favorites:

Marc Jacobs Spring-Summer 2010

Marc Jacobs might be a recurring CFDA nominee, but that doesn’t mean the head of his own fashion empire and work for Louis Vuitton does not merit a 2010 ‘Womenswear Designer of the Year’ award or ‘Accessory Designer of the Year’ award.

Alexis Bittar jewelry

It has been a good year for Alexis Bittar, whose name is now synonymous with contemporary costume jewelry and CFDA nominee for ‘Accessory Designer of the Year.’ Bittar started out 10 years ago like many jewelry designers: selling his wares to passersby on the New York City streets. Now his Lucite earrings and semiprecious necklaces can be found everywhere from Bloomingdales and Barney’s to the cover of InStyle magazine and Lady Gaga.

Tom Ford Spring-Summer 2010 Campaign Ad

No designer can a make a man look as sexy as Tom Ford. Nominated ‘Menswear Designer of the Year,’ Ford is known for pushing the envelope: His ads are easily recognized for its sexy male protagonist photographed next to a naked female model with big hair and heavy eye makeup.

His tailored men’s suits (from white and pale blue to black and an electric blue), punctuated by a print-on-print pairing of shirts and ties, are not for the shy or faint fashion-hearted.

It’s no wonder that Ford has dressed celebrities like Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Where do you think these celebs got their heartthrob status?

Go to www.cfda.com and discover the rest of the nominees. Who gets your vote this year?

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of telegraph.co.uk; www.thevoguecity.com; www.fashiontography.blogspot.com