From The Straits Times    |

NEW YORK – Nominees for the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards were announced in New York by the organisation’s president, designer Diane von Furstenberg.

The accolades are the most important in the industry, and are so prestigious they are often referred to as the fashion Oscars.

It was revealed Marc Jacobs (pictured right; image Showbit) will take home the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award when the ceremony takes place at New York’s Lincoln Center on June 6.

Marc is also in the running to be named Womenswear Designer of the Year, and will battle it out against Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler.

Alexander and Proenza Schouler are also nominated for the Accessory Designer of the Year gong, with Reed Krakoff rounding out the category.

It’s a good year for Alexander, who also gets a mention in the Swarovski Award for Menswear category, alongside Phillip Lim and Robert Geller.

The women’s version of the prize will go to Prabal Gurung, Joseph Altuzarra or The Row.

Competing for the Menswear Designer of the Year prize are Simon Spurr, Michael Bastian and Patrik Ervell.

There are also a number of awards which are going to set people. Creative director of Céline Phoebe Philo will take home the International Award, which recognises outstanding design outside America, and Lady Gaga is the recipient of the Fashion Icon Award.

CFDA Awards 2011 nominees and winners:

Womenswear Designer of the Year
Marc Jacobs
Alexander Wang
Proenza Schouler

Menswear Designer of the Year
Simon Spurr
Michael Bastian
Patrik Ervell

Accessory Designer of the Year
Reed Krakoff
Proenza Schouler
Alexander Wang

Swarovski Award for Womenswear
Prabal Gurung
Joseph Altuzarra
The Row

Swarovski Award for Menswear
Alexander Wang
Phillip Lim
Robert Geller

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design
Alejandro Ingelmo
Jason Wu
Eddie Borgo
Pamela Love

International Award
Phoebe Philo

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award
Marc Jacobs

Eleanor Lambert Founders Award
Hal Rubenstein

Eugenia Sheppard Media Award
Hilary Alexander

CFDA Board Of Director’s Special Tribute Award
Arthur Elgort

Fashion Icon Award
Lady Gaga (pictured above in Mugler AW2011 show; image Showbit)

© COVER MEDIA

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