SOPHIA THEALLET IS THE 2009 VOGUE/FASHION FUND WINNER

The designer takes home the top honor along with the $200,000 prize and a year of mentoring from fashion insiders.

New York - The 2009 Vogue/Fashion Fund awards ceremony was held Monday night at Skylight Studios. Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz was the keynote speaker and other notable guests include Nicole Kidman, Grace Coddington, Vera Wang, Anna Wintour, Zac Posen and Jessica Stam. But the night, of course, belonged to Sophia Theallet, who beat out nine finalists to take home the top honor of the ceremony as she is named the 2009 Vogue/Fashion Fund winner. The French-born, Brooklyn-based womenswear designer is in good company since past winners include Alexander Wang in 2008, Rogan in 2007, Doori in 2006, Trovata in 2005 and Proenza Schouler in 2004. Theallet told the audience, "I'm French, so I'm going to try to do my best." And she ended her speech by saying, "Thank you for making my American dreams come true." Congratulations to Theallet and all the finalists. [Story: Style/Images: Fashionologie]

Kristina Bustos

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG IS DOING A REALLY, REALLY GOOD JOB...

new york - ms. dvf is clearly storming these beeyotches in the new york fashion scene because she's been unanimously re-elected as president of the c.f.d.a (council of fashion designers of america.) i am not surprised. she just oozes confidence, charisma and capability. she's not the only one getting a stamp of approval, so are twenty eight other well established american designers. the c.f.d.a announced it's extention of membership to these industry professionals. they include, Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava; Thakoon Panichgul of Thakoon; Holly Dunlap of Hollywould; Jenni Kayne; Naeem Khan; Sue Stemp; Dana Foley and Anna Corinna Sellinger of Foley + Corinna; Scott Sternberg of Band of Outsiders; Amy Smilovic of Tibi; Michael Bastian; Philip Crangi; Ron Anderson and David Rees of Tenthousandthings. p.s can we please applaud the vintage pic of dian vf on the left. just fiercerishious.


photosource:monmouth.army.mil

MORE DESIGNERS JOIN THE CLUB

rachel roy is one of 30 fab inductees into the cfda. (baltimoresun.com)

maybe it's not the club, but the council of fashion designers of america, also known as cfda, is pretty elite and clubby. despite this reputation it has let in a stunning number of new inductees, 30 in all. this brings their membership ranks to 319. according to fashion week daily, 2007 marked the largest number of applications for membership to date. new members include tory burch, rachel roy, phillip lim, and lela rose. is anyone else surprised that these folks weren't already part of cfda?

DESIGNER KICKS

t-mobile knows how to sell a phone - especially the side kick which debuts new versions more times than michael jordan sneakers. in conjunction with the council of fashion designers of america (cfda) they are unveling a series of new side kicks which were revamped by fashions biggest designers. phillip lim, coach, betsey johnson, diane von furstenberg and tommy hilfiger a just a few of the designers who signed up to do this. check out my favorite of the bunch below. these phones will be displayed at cfda's upstairs at the library event on june 4th, then auctioned later on this summer to benefit breast cancer.


phillip lim's phone. the swarovski crystals are a bit much, but i love the muted, almost masculine colors. (wwd)


this coach designed phone is an instant classic. it manages to make this teen-friendly phone look totally mature. (wwd)