'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

'Fashion Mayhem'

It may be too soon to tell whether rubbing elbows with Eric Damon, costume designer for ‘Gossip Girl,’ or the Olsen twins at Bergdorf Goodman last night for Fashion’s Night Out really garnered sales for New York City retailers.

After all, someone had to pay the shop girls for their extra hours of work and make sure the cocktails and the champagne kept coming.

The global shopping spree spanning 13 countries did, however, generate the kind of frenzy and excitement that had been lacking ever since the Wall Street abandoned ship in 2007. New York City shoppers had not one, but 300 participating stores willing to stay open until 11 p.m. and cater to a smattering of celebrities.

Some highlights:

- Top Chef’ host Padma Lakshmi judged a cook-off on Bergdorf’s seventh floor between Cynthia Rowley, Peter Som and Lela Rose.

- An autograph signing by designers Isabel and Ruben Toledo at Barney’s.- Shoe designer Stuart Weitzman challenged his customers to a ping-pong match.

- Charlize Theron made a pit stop at Dior; Kate Hudson visited the Stella McCartney store; and Justin Timberlake made an appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue.

But here in New York, Fashion’s Night Out was just a sample of what will hopefully be in store during Fashion Week. Although Fashion Week officially kicked off yesterday with a few low key designers (with the exception of BCBGMaxAzria and perhaps Ports 1961), be prepared for extended coverage on happenings and shows like Derek Lam, Diane Von Furstenberg and Zac Posen by yours truly!

Already the tabloids are buzzing with news that there will be an afterparty after the Marc Jacobs show, which was canceled last year for financial reasons. This time the afterparty is back and to be co-hosted by Lady Gaga.

Will this year’s Fashion Week hold true to all the hype? The pressure is on.

-S. Gonzalez

'Shop Before You Drop'

The sign that hung over the fifteen cash registers reminded all shoppers of the rules of the game: ‘No elbowing, no fighting, no refunds.’

With only an hour left until the end of the Barney’s Warehouse Sale, it felt like a race to bag the next Lanvin dress or Marni trouser. Shoppers dragged plastic garbage bags filled with their finds, while others loaded their arms with clothing.

In the corner, women tore of their clothes without the slightest humility. They jostled and jockeyed for mirror space. They tossed unwanted clothes onto a long table behind them.

I felt my pulse racing. Within minutes, my girlfriend already had three dresses slung over her arm.

It was no time to be indecisive. I split from girlfriend, and weaseled my way past the racks labeled with women’s sizes and designer names, now irrelevant.

Piazza Sempione, L’Wren Scott and Michael Kors. I whizzed past the labels and focused on finding an XS dress or top. Fifteen minutes later, my patience paid off.

A paint-splattered white silk top from Gemma (worn by celeb Lauren Conrad, see below) was the ultimate in cool, relaxed New York chic. Even in a size M, the loose top didn’t look a bit oversized on me and my high-rise cigarette jeans.

But it was the white crepe Marc Jacobs scarf top which was the real deal breaker. Having seen one shopper try the top on, I raced to the back of the warehouse where I had seen a version of it in a size 6.

Once reunited with my girlfriend, we made a beeline to the register. Smug and satisfied with our picks, we guessed how much we would save from a 75% discount.

The cashier clicked past the computer prompts and I saw my $140 Gemma top (shown below on Lauren Conrad) drop to $44.50. My $539 Marc Jacobs blouse discounted to $135.

As for the sweet smell of shopping victory: Priceless.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of thehills4life.blogspot.com and racked.com