The Blue-Eyed Intern

Just when you thought the world had moved on from the discussion of Marc Jacobs’ Met Gala ensemble (read: man dress), Seth Meyers unleashed a whole new whirlwind of comedic gems that prompted even the world’s most fashionable stars and designers to crack a smile at last night’s fiftieth anniversary of the annual CFDA Awards.

As the evening’s host, Meyers poked fun at everything from John Galliano, to European tourists and Brad Pitt, but it was his Marc Jacobs directed jokes that hit the highest note.  “That is a long way to go to prove you are wearing a clean pair of underwear!” boasted Meyer’s of the infamous Comme des Garcons lace shirtdress before taking to the stage himself in said dress. 

Like the Oscars themselves, the CFDA Awards proved to be a full fledged production, and one that New Yorkers would be proud to boast about to their Hollywood counterparts.  Unlike the Academy Awards though, last night’s red carpet gathering had the spotlights focused on the designers and fashion influencers, and of course, the glamourous attire, making it the important night for industry.  

First time nominees Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen beat the Proenza Schouler boys and took home the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award for their work on The Row.  The stylish duo walked the red carpet with their date for the evening Lauren Hutton, who radiated the exact sophisticated cool reflected in the brand’s wining designs.  ”Look at how fast they’ve ascended!” said Hutton.  They make really great clothes, they’re really sensual, and they make them out of strange materials.”

In the menswear category, the CFDA also honored Billy Reid with the Designer of the Year Award, to which he thanked his mother for not letting him pursue his once held dream of “being a football coach.”

Tommy Hilfiger was also awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, while Joseph Altuzarra was honored with the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award in Womenswear.  Phillip Lim also accepted the same award for the menswear category, along with Tabitha Simmons in accessories.  

For the fraternity of CFDA members though, the evening spent Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall was less about the actual trophies, and more about feting the organization’s fifty years of involvement in American fashion.  ”It’s incredible to see how the American fashion industry has change, it’s become so global, and tonight we’re here to celebrate,” said Michael Kors.  To see more of the evening’s winning looks, check out our slideshow to follow.  

After posing for British label Marks & Spencer’s Autograph campaign alongside Ryan Reynolds for the past two seasons, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is set to collaborate with the retailer on a lingerie collection that will launch in September.

Of course, the British beauty is no stranger to lacy unmentionables as she has spent time modeling for Monsoon lingerie, Agent Provocateur, and most recently, reaching super-star heights as a Victoria’s Secret Angel.

“M&S is an iconic British brand, adored by many so I’m very excited to be launching my debut lingerie line with them,” said the model in a press statement.  “I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the design team to create my dream collection, and I’m looking forward to a fun and creative time ahead.”

The high street lingerie line, appropriately named The Rosie for Autograph collection, will showcase 33 pieces adorned with rose-print motifs and deco-inspired detailing, including silk camis and teddies, kimono robes, and French-style knickers- a no-brainer for a pro like Huntington-Whiteley.

“We are so pleased to have Rosie on board to design her first collaboration for us,” said Katie Bostock, executive director of clothing for M&S. “She really understands beautiful lingerie and what works on the body.  With all her modeling experience she has great eye for color and style which, coupled with our extensive knowledge in lingerie design and technique, is a winning formula that we can’t wait to share with our customers.”

For the ad campaign, the 25 year-old model was shot in a dream-like boudoir setting, dressed in a matching champagne hued bra and panty set with lace trim, and a soft beehive hair ‘do.

Huntington-Whiteley also just landed on the Sunday Times Rich List, along with fellow model Lily Cole and actress Keira Knightley, thanks to a reported income of about $7.9 million earned through her campaigns for M&S, Burberry, and her role in Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon.

And some beauty news to catch up on…

http://www.style.com/beauty/beautycounter/category/industry-news

No sweat! Catch up on everything here: 

http://www.style.com/beauty/beautycounter/2012/03/obama-gets-into-the-politics-of-polish-jpg-defines-the-andrej-pejic-appeal-and-more/

And just because I can’t get enough of Katy Perry, here are some of her most recent electrifying beauty looks!

Check out today’s top beauty news stories! 

http://www.style.com/beauty/beautycounter/2012/03/nars-to-honor-warhol-with-makeup-emma-watson-goes-long-and-more/

Navigating the five-block radius around Lincoln Center this past week was no easy task as editors, buyers, and journalists shuffled from one show to the next in honor of Mercedes-Benz Spring 2012 Fashion Week.  However, as the fashion industry professionals and celebrities alike took their seats under the giant, white tents to get the first look at what the style elite will be wearing come this fall, the rest of the city got to watch from the sidelines as the runways transformed into a battlefield all their own.

            Not a literal battlefield of course, but a military presence was felt nonetheless as designers by the likes of Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, and Altuzarra, paid tribute to men in uniform.  Throughout the week, models stamped down the runway in tailored wool pea and trench style coats in navy and army green.  The structured outerwear was typically layered over straight leg trousers, and adorned with plenty of flap pockets, zippers, and gold buckle embellishments. 

With so many designers also feeling the influence of the popular British drama series, Downton Abbey, it’s no surprise that deep, plunging necklines were traded in for high Victorian collars and strong shoulders.  It was Ralph Lauren who paid the greatest homage to the period piece with his array of men’s pantsuits redesigned for women, including a three piece burgundy velvet one that drew clear connections to the upper crust society of the show.  Buttoned to the top coats, hounds tooth print blazers and skirt combos, and classic bowler hats paired with silk ties finished the look.

            For those who aren’t interested in the brooding men’s inspired collections, fret not, because the shows at Tory Burch, Carolina Herrera, and Victoria Beckham promised an array of luxurious lady-like pieces.  “I was just thinking about the idea of being polished and put-together, and sexy but not overtly sexy,” Burch told Style.com reporters after her show’s debut.  The effect: polished tween jackets, neat pencil skirts, skinny plaid pants nipped just above the ankle, and ruffled chiffon dresses in emerald and violet. 

            Celebrity turned designer Victoria Beckham took a more modern approach to the more feminine styles by creating twenty-two looks consisting of shirts and dresses that pronounced a long, lean silhouette.  Her dresses were given a breath of fresh air this season though, with the collection’s sportswear inspired ribbed jersey materials and contrasting polo collars (perhaps a nod to her soccer star husband?).

            However, there was a point where the Upper East Side meshed with the rugged, equestrian charm of the American outdoors.  Global fashion successes Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger debuted collections that provoked the idea of a luxe-cabin weekend getaway.  Considered probably the more practical looks from the runway, Kors dressed his models in fringed ponchos, full-length lumberjack plaid skirts, and plenty of fur and shearling outerwear pieces.  Likewise, Hilfiger featured chunky cable-knit sweaters with silk skirts adorned with horse bridle motifs, and topped off with ridings boots and hats.

But among all of these neutral color pallets and seemingly practical looks for fall, there was the outrageous showmanship of Marc Jacobs.  The designer presented a total of fifty-four looks, almost all of which were topped off with very large, over the top multicolor fur hats.  The outfits themselves were just as zany as the women sported voluminous patchwork skirts over cropped pants (very similar to Jacob’s own signature style).  Large wool stools were then draped over wool coats, some even secured with animated safety pins.  To compliment the full array of color and multi-textured looks, Jacobs had the women strut in patent leather stacked heel pilgrim shoes, complete with large, glittery buckles. 

So, while the next fall/winter season is still six months from now, don’t toss those pea coats and comfy knit sweaters just yet (especially because you probably haven’t gotten much use out of them this year anyways).  The next time around should prove to be one filled with a lot of inspiration, and maybe just a few oversized fur hats.   

All Photos from Style.com

Take a look at my fashion news roundup for February 1st, 2012.

http://www.style.com/beauty/beautycounter/2012/02/rouge-in-loveand-on-youtube-gwyneth-will-take-her-wrinkles-and-more/