The Oscars of fashion design
Jacobs, Karan or Wang? Help our expert mark his ballot for the CFDA FashionAwards
Alexis Bittar cuff
Marc Jacobs
suit by Tom Ford
Prabal Gurung dressPhoto by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Alexander Wang leopard wedge
Marc Jacobs sandal
I'm honored to be among the select group of writers to nominate and vote for the winners of the Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Awards. It's the Oscars of fashion. The ballots are stamped with a Voter ID to prevent duplicates and an official accounting firm (Ernst & Young) does the tabulation. It's all very exciting.
But I'm in a quandry over who to vote for. My ballot is due by Friday. Can you help me out?
The winners in these six categories will be announced at a lavish ceremony in New York on June 7. Just like in the Oscars voting, past relationships, perceived snubs and the likeability factor play a role in who wins the fashion awards. But it really boils down to talent, so you can judge the designs in each nominee's look book.
Womenswear Designer of the Year
Jacobs won the award in 1992 and 1997; Karan was honored in 1990 and 1996. Wang is the new kid on the block so he might win, particularly since CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg is his mentor, but I'm not impressed by his techno-urban designs. Also Wang and Karan are very New York-centric; they invite hardly any of the regional press to their fashion shows.
But even if they did, I'd still go for Jacobs in this category. He's the most influential designer in the United States and sets the trends every season. He's past due to be honored again. But I bet Karan wins.
Menswear Designer of the Year
Marcus Wainwright & David Neville for Rag & Bone
Ford is likely to be the hands-down winner. His menswear line is expertly crafted but it reminds me a lot of his Gucci heyday. Also, I harbor some bruised feelings since he once stormed out of an interview because he didn't like a question I asked. I'm leaning toward Rag & Bone designers Wainwright and Neville because their well-made classic looks always have a fresh twist.
Accessory Designer of the Year
Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler
Call me biased, but I think the accessory designer award should go to someone who designs them on a full-time basis. Jacobs and the Proenza Schouler guys are primarily clothing designers, although Jacobs makes a busload of money from accessories — that's where the big bucks are made in the fashion business. And his shiny, space-age looking sandals are groovy. Even so, I'm disposed to vote for Bittar because he's a full-time jewelry designer whose creations are intriguing. Plus, he's dating a friend of mine from Texas.
The next three awards go to relative newcomers, who are considered to have potential to be the next big thing:
Swarovski Award for Womenswear
I'm frankly not that familiar with Altuzarra, although I like his clean designs. Jason Wu was plucked from obscurity when Michelle Obama wore his white off-the-shoulder gown to the inaugural balls in 2009. Obama also recently put Gurung in the spotlight when she wore one of his creations. It's a toss-up; I'm leaning toward Gurung's modern, 21st-century looks.
Swarovski Award for Menswear
All three talented designers make fine-looking menswear. But Spurr's collection is the most dandy-riffic.
Swarovski Award for Accessory Design
Wang will likely win in this category if he doesn't score as designer of the year. He created a killer leopard wedge, but I'm partial to Borgo's studded crystal cuffs.
