COUNCIL OF FASHION DESIGNERS OF AMERICA (CFDA) AND NET-A-PORTER.COM ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO BENEFIT “FASHION TARGETS BREAST CANCER” INITIATIVE
Ralph Lauren to design first of limited-edition exclusive items
June 19, 2007–The Council of Fashion Designers of America/CFDA Foundation, Inc. will enter into a new partnership with the online global luxury retailer NET-A-PORTER.COM to launch Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) Worldwide. The initiative marks the first global retail partnership for FTBC, in which a series of limited-edition FTBC-branded items will be available for sale exclusively at NET-A-PORTER.COM.
Exclusive design will be introduced on the site over a period of one year. Ralph Lauren will launch the initiative with an iconic Fashion Targets Breast Cancer WORLDWIDE shirt of his own design, followed by a special merchandise from other American and international designers. 100% of net profits from from the sale of these items will benefit FTBC.
The partnership was celebrated on June 19th at a luncheon hosted by designer and CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg, and will be launched worldwide in the fall, beginning at New York Fashion Week on September 5.
As the first global retail partner, NET-A-PORTER.COM will establish a dedicated FTBC store within the site featuring a collection of exclusive limited edition merchandise from American and International designers. Additionally, NET-A-PORTER.COM will host an educational micro-site providing women with health and resource information.
“We communicate daily to an audience of over one million women around the world. This initiative allows us to take what we do well and focus that into an invaluable vehicle to raise funds and provide essential breast cancer information to women worldwide,” said Natalie Massenet, Founder, NET-A-PORTER.COM. “NET-A-PORTER..COM has made a long term commitment in launching Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Worldwide so we can work with women globally each day to make a difference. I couldn’t think of a smarter way to launch this CFDA partnership than with Ralph Lauren at the helm.”
Ralph Lauren was asked to inaugurate this momentous project in recognition of his pioneering commitment to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, which he founded in 1994 in response to a plea from the late Washington Post fashion critic Nina Hyde, who fought the disease. “In 1994, I challenged the fashion community to support Fashion Targets Breast Cancer when it was first getting started,” he said. “What began as the answer to one woman’s request has become a global initiative that has raised millions of dollars for breast cancer charities.” The Ralph Lauren Fashion Targets Breast Cancer WORLDWIDE shirt will be available on the site beginning in September.
CFDA Executive Director, Steven Kolb remarks, “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has been one of the most significant and productive initiatives the CFDA has ever launched. We are particularly proud that after over a decade, the commitment of our members to this crucially important program is just as strong, and that we can boast more participation, more ideas, more products, and such a prestigious online retail partner to continue Fashion’s fight against this disease.”
About Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) is a worldwide charitable initiative of the Council of Fashion Designers of America/CFDA Foundation. The CFDA Foundation, through FTBC, is committed to providing meaningful assistance to women with breast cancer and their families, friends, and other supporters by rallying designers, models, retailers, and other creative energies within the fashion industry.
The Foundation commits proceeds raised from FTBC campaigns to helping women concerned about or diagnosed with breast cancer gain access to reliable health information and quality health care, and to supporting education and outreach programs. Since its launch in 1994, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has raised over $40 million for distribution to breast cancer charities in 13 countries.
FTBC currently conducts campaigns in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Portugal, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, For more information, visit www.fashiontargetsbreastcancer.org
About NET-A-PORTER.COM
NET-A-PORTER.COM launched in June 2000 and has since successfully established itself as the world’s leading global online luxury retailer. Presented in the style of an online fashion magazine, NET-A -PORTER features each season’s key trends, helpful editors’ tips and expert style advice. With luxury packaging, free returns, same day delivery in London, New York City and express delivery to the rest of the world, NET-A-PORT provides an unparalleled level of services and designer offerings to online shopping.
CFDA ANNOUNCES 2007 FASHION AWARDS WINNERS
For the Sixth Year, Swarovski Generously Underwrites the Evening
Lifetime Achievement Award Renamed in Honor of Geoffrey Beene
Ralph Lauren to be Presented with First-Ever American Fashion Legend Award
NEW YORK, March 13, 2007 – The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced yesterday that Oscar de la Renta, Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs have been nominated for the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award. The 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards winners will be announced at the annual gala, underwritten by Swarovski, on June 4th at The New York Public Library. This year will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the awards ceremony. The official announcement was made last night at an exclusive event hosted by the CFDA Board of Directors and Nadja Swarovski at the Rooftop Gardens at Rockefeller Center.
In addition, Steven Cox & Daniel Silver for Duckie Brown, Ralph Lauren, and Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein have been nominated for the Menswear Designer of the Year Award, while Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, and Derek Lam have been nominated for the Accessory Designer of the Year Award.
Phillip Lim, Kate & Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte, and Thakoon Panichgul have been nominated for the Swarovski Award for Womenswear. The nominees for the Swarovski Award for Menswear are Michael Bastian, Tim Hamilton, and David Neville & Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone. For the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design, the nominees are Justin Giunta for Subversive, Jessie Randall for Loeffler Randall, and Anna Sheffield for Bing Bang. Formerly the Swarovski’s Perry Ellis Awards, Swarovski Award recipients in each category will receive generous financial support and product from Swarovski as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative crystal resources.
The CFDA is renaming the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to honor Geoffrey Beene, who in his own lifetime received four CFDA Fashion Awards, and to publicly acknowledge a gift from his estate of $5 million to establish a scholarship endowment and to further the goals of the CFDA.
The Board of Directors’ Special Tribute will be presented to Bono & Ali Hewson, to acknowledge the impact that their socially conscious label, Edun, has had on the fashion industry in creating clothes that are manufactured according to ethical trade standards and for their philanthropy in fighting poverty and HIV / AIDS with the ONE campaign and Product (Red).
Additionally, the first-ever American Fashion Legend Award will be presented to Ralph Lauren, the man who for 40 years has defined American style through-out the world. His vision and innovation epitomizes American design excellence and continues to set the standard in fashion.
The other special award honorees are:
Eugenia Sheppard Award – Robin Givhan, Fashion Editor, Washington Post
International Award – Pierre Cardin
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award – Robert Lee Morris
Eleanor Lambert Award – Patrick Demarchelier
“We’re thrilled that this year’s nominees and honorees reflect the strength and vivacity of the American fashion industry,” said Steven Kolb, the executive director of the CFDA. “The 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards will be a celebration of these designers’ unique creativity and accomplishments.”
“Swarovski is delighted to underwrite the CFDA Fashion Awards for the sixth consecutive year,” said Nadja Swarovski, vice president of Swarovski International Communications. “We are especially pleased to, again, host the announcement party for the Awards in celebration of the nominees, honorees and the CFDA Fashion Awards. We embrace our commitment to supporting talent and creativity in the fashion industry in general, and particularly, to nurturing young design talent with the Swarovski Awards.”
The nominees and honorees were selected by the CFDA membership, press, retailers and stylists. The nominees, as well as recipients of the honorary awards, were confirmed yesterday at a meeting of the CFDA Board of Directors. The final votes will be tabulated by Ernst & Young LLP, the official accounting firm of the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards.
The winners will be announced at the June 4 Awards gala. The 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards will be produced by KCD. Creative director Douglas Lloyd of Lloyd + Co will art direct the graphic presentation.
About the CFDA
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association whose membership consists of more than 280 of America’s foremost fashion and accessory designers. CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate not-for-profit company, which was organized to raise funds for charity and industry activities. CFDA membership is by invitation only. New candidates are recommended by two current CFDA members, and voted in by the Board of Directors annually. Founded in 1962, the CFDA’s initial goals were, and still are, “to further the position of fashion design as a recognized branch of American art and culture, to advance its artistic and professional standards, to establish and maintain a code of ethics and practices of mutual benefit in professional, public, and trade relations, and to promote and improve public understanding and appreciation of the fashion arts through leadership in quality and taste.”
For More Information on the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards:
Bonnie Morrison KCD Tel – 212 590 5113 Fax – 212 590 5101 morrison@kcdworldwide.com
Background on the CFDA Fashion Awards
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 2007 collections. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2007 Nominees:
Oscar de la Renta
Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler
Marc Jacobs for 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 2007 collections. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2007 Nominees:
Steven Cox & Daniel Silver for Duckie Brown
Ralph Lauren
Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein
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 2007 collections. The designer selected must have his or her business based primarily in America.
2007 Nominees:
Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs
Michael Kors
Derek Lam
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 2007 collections. The Swarovski Awards, originally called Swarovski’s Perry Ellis 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.
2007 Nominees:
Phillip Lim
Kate & Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte
Thakoon Panichgul
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 2007 collections. The Swarovski Awards, originally called Swarovski’s Perry Ellis 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.
2007 Nominees:
Michael Bastian
Tim Hamilton
David Neville & Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone
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 2007 collections. The Swarovski Awards, originally called Swarovski’s Perry Ellis 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.
2007 Nominees:
Justin Giunta for Subversive
Jessie Randall for Loeffler Randall
Anna Sheffield for Bing Bang
HONOREE AWARDS:
Eugenia Sheppard Award:
Awarded 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.
2007 Honoree: Robin Givhan, Fashion Editor, Washington Post
International Award:
Awarded to a designer working outside of America who has made an outstanding creative contribution to the world of fashion.
2007 Honoree: Pierre Cardin
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award:
Awarded for a “lifetime” of consistent, creative influence and dedication to fashion.
2007 Honoree: Robert Lee Morris
Eleanor Lambert Award:
Awarded for a unique contribution to the world of fashion (and/or deserves the industry’s recognition and does not fall under any existing award categories).
2007 Honoree: Patrick Demarchelier
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.
2007 Honoree: Bono & Ali Hewson
American Fashion Legend Award:
A special award created to honor the man and the brand for defining American style globally.
2007 Honoree: Ralph Lauren
Ernst & Young LLP is the official accounting firm of the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards.
UPSTAIRS AT THE LIBRARY HOSTED BY T-MOBILE SIDEKICK
For the second year in a row, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) will host a viewing party as part of the CFDA Fashion Awards on Monday, June 4. This year, the party will be sponsored by T-Mobile Sidekick. The party will take place once again in the New York Public Library’s Astor Hall and feature a DJ, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a live simulcast of the Awards presentation, which takes place downstairs in the Celeste Bartos Forum. The 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards are generously underwritten by Swarovski.
The CFDA and T-Mobile Sidekick partnership extends beyond the CFDA Fashion Awards with a unique fundraiser to benefit Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC). T-Mobile Sidekick has invited designers to create one-of-a-kind Sidekicks that will be auctioned in the Fall, with all proceeds going to FTBC. Building on the success of past partnerships with CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg and Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy of Juicy Couture, T-Mobile Sidekick will work with Award nominees and honorees, including Bing Bang, Duckie Brown, Justin Giunta, Phillip Lim, Rag & Bone, Robert Lee Morris, Thakoon, and CFDA members Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Reed Krakoff, Cynthia Rowley, and von Furstenberg. The personalized Sidekicks will debut at Upstairs at the Library Hosted by T-Mobile Sidekick.
The Awards’ viewing party was inaugurated in 2006 to give a larger group of designers, editors and other fashion industry professionals the opportunity to participate in American fashion’s biggest night. Once again, the historic space will be outfitted with plasma screens and transformed into a festive, lounge-like atmosphere for approximately 300 guests. The evening, like the CFDA Awards, is produced by KCD.
Executive Director Steven Kolb says, “The first ‘Upstairs at the Library’ was a tremendous success, and added an additional, more celebratory element to the night as a whole. And the CFDA was glad to be able to embrace the people who directly support and collaborate with our esteemed nominees and honorees. In this way, we get to share the evening more completely with the fashion community at large, which is especially meaningful on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the CFDA Awards.”
For information regarding the 2007 CFDA Awards, contact Bonnie Morrison at KCD: Morrison@kcdworldwide.com, or +1 212 590 5113.
2007 CFDA Fashion Awards on June 4, 2007
New York, NY, February 13, 2007–The 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards, honoring the best in American fashion, will take place Monday, June 4 at The New York Public Library. The intimate evening will mark the 25th anniversary of the CFDA Fashion Awards while celebrating the achievement of fashion’s leading lights over the past year. The Awards are generously underwritten by Swarovski. The gala dinner and awards ceremony will be held in the Celeste Bartos Forum, preceded by cocktails in Astor Hall.
More than 500 CFDA members, press, retailers and stylists will cast their ballots for the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards. Nominees and honorees will be announced on March 12, at a cocktail party and press conference hosted by Swarovski at the garden rooftop at Rockefeller Center, followed by a second round of voting, which will be tabulated by Ernst & Young LLP, the official accounting firm of the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards. The winners will be announced at the Awards gala.
“On behalf of the Board, we look forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Awards,” says Steven Kolb, executive director of the CFDA. “As we take this moment to honor past winners, we also celebrate the talent and diversity that make American fashion so vibrant today.”
Given annually since 1981, a CFDA Fashion Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a member of the fashion community. In an ongoing effort to recognize the outstanding contributions made to American fashion by individuals from all sectors of the industry, awards will be given for design excellence in womenswear, menswear and accessories, as well as extraordinary accomplishments in journalism, creative vision and lifetime achievement. Last year’s winners included Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein for Womenswear Designer of the Year, Thom Browne for Menswear Designer of the Year, and Tom Binns for Accessory Designer of the Year. Former CFDA President Stan Herman was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Additionally, each year the CFDA honors emerging designers for their achievements with Swarovski Awards. Winners of the Swarovski Awards receive generous financial support from Swarovski in addition to access to the company’s impressive crystal resources. Last year Doo-Ri Chung was the recipient of the award for womenswear, Jeff Halmos, Josia Lamberto-Egan, Sam Shipley and John Whitledge for Trovata took the menswear award, and Devi Kroell won the award for accessory design. The Swarovski Awards, previously known as the Swarovski’s Perry Ellis Awards, are some of the most anticipated awards of the evening, and serve as a barometer of fashion’s future. Past recipients include Derek Lam, Rick Owens, Alexandre Plokhov, Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, Kate Spade, Anna Sui, Cynthia Rowley, and John Varvatos.
“Since its earliest days, Swarovski has worked cooperatively in mutually creative partnerships with leading couturiers and cutting edge fashion designers, helping to bring to life some of the most celebrated designs in the history of fashion design, said Nadja Swarovski, vice president of international communications. “Sponsoring the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards continues our dedication to and support of the American fashion community. We are very proud to have the opportunity to provide such a thoughtful platform to identify and nurture new design talents with the Swarovski Awards.”
The 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards will be produced by KCD, and Douglas Lloyd of Lloyd + Co. will art direct the journal.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association whose membership consists of more than 280 of America’s foremost fashion and accessory designers. CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate not-for-profit organization, which was organized to raise funds for charity and industry activities.
Press contact:
Bonnie Morrison / KCD
212.590.5113