NEW YORK — Johnny Depp was awarded his first Oscar — fashion’s Oscar, that is — but was a no-show at Monday night’s CFDA Fashion Awards, a star-studded event attended by top designers, supermodels and stylish VIPs and held at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in Manhattan.

“Johnny—I love him—and I love the way he just says, ‘Award ceremonies…that’s not my thing,’ ” said designer Betsey Johnson. “Of course, all you have to do is get up there and say ‘thank you,’ ” she added, shrugging. “But it’s not his thing.”

Depp is the first man to receive the Fashion Icon award, which the Council of Fashion Designers of America bestowed upon Lady Gaga last year, and Sarah Jessica Parker and supermodel Iman in years before that.

“He’s off in a desert somewhere shooting The Lone Ranger, ” explained John Waters, who directed Depp in 1990’s Cry-Baby, one of Depp’s earliest films. (Depp is playing Tonto, by the way, alongside Armie Hammer as the Ranger, in the new Gore Verbinski film due out next year.)

Waters, who was presenting the International Award to Comme des Garçons’ Rei Kawakubo—and was decked out in one of the designer’s jiggedy-jaggedy print jackets and neon orange sneakers—also presented Depp’s award, and accepted it on the actor’s behalf.

Depp DID show up to Sunday night’s MTV Movie Awards, but didn’t have much to say upon receiving the “Generation Award”—though he certainly seemed to enjoy taking the stage in order to rock out with The Black Keys.

Ahhh, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, you with your rock star good looks and all those intriguing roles you play (from the Eddies—Scissorhands and Wood—to Sweeney Todd, Willy Wonka, and of course Cap’n Jack Sparrow), you are a curious one, no?

As for your wardrobe, well, it’s as varied as your resume.

Some days he looks sprung from Springsteen—battered denim, leather jackets, bandannas. Other days, it’s Dillinger—pinstripes, three-piece suits. And other times still, it’s a Mad Hatter mix of scarves, chains, bracelets, skull rings and wide-brimmed hats.

“Johnny Depp has an effortless style that’s eclectic and at times bohemian,” says designer John Varvatos. “He’s created his own look and it continues to evolve.

Which is perhaps why the Council of Fashion Designers of America chose to honor him with their grand if…um…awkwardly titled award.

Fashion…icon? That’s quite a reputation to uphold.

“Part of his appeal is that he stays true to himself and wears what he likes,” says Josh Peskowitz, a former editor at Esquire who is now the new men’s fashion director at Bloomingdale’s (the popular New York-based chain that just arrived in Texas—a Bloomies outlet opened in Dallas last month, and another hits Grand Prairie later this year). “Since he seems so comfortable in his own skin, his personal style works,” Peskowitz adds, “whereas it may look like a costume on someone else.

So what’s a regular jamoke to do if he’s looking to get some Johnny mojo for himself?

Start simple, with retro sunglasses, says Peskowitz. (If you find some with blue lenses—a Depp favorite—all the better.) Then add the hat, and so on.

We’ve broken it down for you—a head to toe guide to getting your Depp on. We can’t guarantee you’ll hook a French pop star (Depp and Vanessa Paradis, together since 1998, have two kids). But keep in mind the key element is free.

“The most important part of Depp's look is self-confidence,” says Peskowitz. “That looks good on anybody.”

GET THE LOOK

John Varvatos channels Johnny Depp with this linen/cotton asymmetrical cutaway jacket, $1,298, cotton blend vest, $498, linen tee, $168, crinkled cotton scarf, $148, and wallet chain, $895; all at johnvarvatos.com.

NOW ALL YOU NEED IS…

THE HAT—Depp rarely goes without a hat, so why should you? He’s fond of fedoras, and no doubt you’ll feel suave and summery in Brixton’s Capistrano hat, $50, made of woven paper; at piperlime.com.

THE FRAMES—Johnny-boy’s look vintage, the lenses always blue. Alexander McQueen #4196 sunglasses, $345, in plastic acetate, have bluish lenses (okay, they’re purple, but we dig the Dark Shadows styling with that skull on the temple); at Solstice Sunglass Boutiques in The Galleria, The Woodlands, and Friendswood; and solsticesunglasses.com.

THE WRIST BLING—Depp is often seeing wearing a wide leather cuff bracelet, and you can go the goth route, too, with Neptune Giftware’s dark brown leather Wide Triple Strap Cuff, $14.99; at amazon.com.

AND MORE WRIST BLING—Depp piles it on, so keep going. This Tonal Cord and Grommet Cuff, $50, looks like multiple bracelets for the price of one; at Kenneth Cole New York stores at The Galleria, Katy Mills, and kennethcole.com.

THE RING—Depp loves dem bones (zoom in on photos and you’ll often spot his skull rings). Rock your own “Pirates of the Caribbean” vibe with Icon Brand’s “All Smiles Have Teeth” ring, $32; at urbanoutfitters.com.

THE SHOES— Depp’s shoes are either scuffed and beat up (we figure you’ve got those), or retro sleek, like these nostalgic spectators and saddle shoes, from top: Frye, $198; The Generic Man, $375; Walk-Over, $295; Cole Haan, $178; Florsheim by Duckie Brown, $325; at Saks Fifth Avenue in The Galleria or saks.com.