On March 16, 2011, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the nominees and honorees for the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards at an exclusive event hosted by Nadja Swarovski and CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg at the designer’s studio in the Meatpacking District.
The Nominees and Honorees:
Womenswear Designer of the Year:Awarded to an American designer or a designer whose business is headquartered in the U.S. who has made the most outstanding contribution to and has influenced the direction of women’s ready-to-wear fashion with his or her Spring and Fall 2011 collections. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2011 Nominees:
Alexander Wang
Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
Marc Jacobs
Menswear Designer of the Year:Awarded to an American designer or a designer whose business is headquartered in the U.S. who has made the most outstanding contribution to and has influenced the direction of men’s ready-to-wear fashion with his or her Spring and Fall 2011 collections. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2011 Nominees:
Michael Bastian
Patrik Ervell
Simon Spurr
Accessory Designer of the Year:Awarded to an American designer or a designer whose business is headquartered in the U.S. who has made the most outstanding contribution to and has influenced the direction of accessory design with his or her Spring and Fall 2011 collections. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2011 Nominees:
Alexander Wang
Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
Reed Krakoff
Swarovski Award for Womenswear:Awarded to an American designer or a designer whose business is headquartered in the U.S. who has made the greatest impact as an emerging new talent in womenswear design with his or her Spring and Fall 2011 collections. The Swarovski Awards were established to recognize and support the talent and creativity of the next generation of American designers. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2011 Nominees:
Joseph Altuzarra
Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen
Prabal Gurung
Swarovski Award for Menswear:Awarded to an American designer or a designer whose business is headquartered in the U.S. who has made the greatest impact as an emerging new talent in menswear design with his or her Spring and Fall 2011 collections. The Swarovski Awards were established to recognize and support the talent and creativity of the next generation of American designers. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2011 Nominees:
Alexander Wang
Phillip Lim
Robert Geller
Swarovski Award for Accessory Design:Awarded to an American designer or a designer whose business is headquartered in the U.S. who has made the greatest impact as an emerging new talent in accessory design with his or her Spring and Fall 2011 collections. The Swarovski Awards were established to recognize and support the talent and creativity of the next generation of American designers. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2011 Nominees:
Alejandro Ingelmo
Eddie Borgo
Jason Wu
Pamela Love
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award:Awarded for a lifetime of consistent, creative influence and dedication to fashion.
2011 Honoree: Marc Jacobs
The Media AwardGiven in honor of journalist Eugenia Sheppard, the Media Award is given to a writer, photographer, or editor who has used his or her craft to further the profession of fashion reporting and coverage, or to a creative director, fashion editor, stylist, or artist whose exceptional creativity has shaped fashion visually.
2011 Honoree: Hilary Alexander, The Telegraph
International Award:Awarded to a designer working outside of America who has made an outstanding creative contribution to the world of fashion.
2011 Honoree: Phoebe Philo for Celine
Fashion Icon Award:Awarded to an individual whose signature style has had a profound influence on fashion.
2011 Honoree: Lady Gaga
The Founders Award:Given in memory of the CFDA’s founder Eleanor Lambert, the Founders Award is given to a person who has made a unique contribution to the world of fashion (and/or deserves the industry’s recognition and does not fall under any existing award categories).
2011 Honoree: Hal Rubenstein, In Style
Board of Directors’ Special Tribute:A special tribute by the Board of Directors of the CFDA, given from time to time to acknowledge significant contributions and commitment to fashion.
2011 Honoree: Arthur Elgort