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Michael Kors and Gwyneth Paltrow arrive at the 2010 CFDA Awards.
Indeed, at just 50 years old, Mr. Kors, known for his luxe sportswear, is the youngest designer to ever receive the honor, bestowed upon him by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). And, fittingly, when he found out about it, the first person he called was his mother.
"I was in the shower, and he said 'Call me right back!' I saved the message," said Joan Kors, dressed in a one-of-a-kind black tux designed by her son, paired with gigantic tortoise shell glasses.
As Mr. Kors's guest, Gwyneth Paltrow—in a sleek ponytail and a black sequined number with bits of yoga-toned torso peeking through—stood by him sipping a martini with extra olives, he said, "it's nice to know in advance that you are winning. I like that. It works for me." Also with the designer was his longtime favorite model, Carmen Kass, wearing a slinky gown with a daringly low back in camel, a color that Mr. Kors likes to say "you can't fake."
The CFDA Awards are the fashion equivalent of the Oscars. It is an event characterized by glamour, tall people, famous people, beautiful clothes and not very much food. "Dinner"—several rounds of appetizers, really—wasn't served until after 10 p.m., by which time many of the sequin-clad luminaries had already departed for the after party at the Standard Hotel's Boom Boom Room.
Starting at 7:30, designers arrived on the fashionable "red" carpet, in a shade of dove gray that wouldn't overpower the clothes. Many were accessorized with celebrities on their arms. Footwear designer Brian Atwood brought Kate Mara—his maroon and gold heels gave the petite actress an extra seven inches of height.
Alison Pill wore, and stood next to, the photogenic Chris Benz. Rachel Weisz, in a violet-and-black floral cocktail frock, accompanied newcomer Jason Wu, who took home an award for the best young women's wear designer.
Mr. Wu, who was largely unknown before he dressed Michelle Obama in a white one-shoulder gown for the inaugural ball, said he felt like he was living in a dream. He apologized for being a little out of it as he drifted through the crowd lugging around his heavy trophy.
Other winners included Burberry's Christopher Bailey, who took home the "International" award; Alexis Bittar (accessories designer of the year); Marc Jacobs (women's wear designer of the year); Rag & Bone (menswear designer of the year); and Ralph Lauren, who won the people's choice award for the second year.
"This is special because it is the night we celebrate our peers. It's a family affair," said designer Diane von Furstenberg, who wore a swirly tropical print dress of her own design and black Christian Louboutin heels encrusted with crystals by Swarovski, the evening's sponsor. (Swarovski also lent its design talents to the podium, which featured sparkly crystals jutting out from its front.)
With sales up versus last year, designers' moods were generally upbeat, save for the reminder of the loss of Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide in September. Sarah Jessica Parker, wearing a floor-sweeping number that McQueen's new designer Sarah Burton selected, delivered a heartfelt tribute to the designer, followed by a showing of his final, ethereal collection. The "Sex and the City" star looked like she was going to burst into tears when asked about her favorite McQueen moment. "There are a few but I would like to preserve them and not share them," she said.
It was the statuesque model and cosmetic entrepreneur Iman who stole the show. "I was looking for something that was maybe a little bit timeless, and classic," said Iman, who wore a black Giambattista Valli gown with four giant diamond bracelets on each arm. Her husband, David Bowie, in a tux with a black gauzy scarf draped around his neck, stood by her side admiringly, but declined to comment.
Accepting the industry's "fashion icon" award, Iman thanked her parents "for giving me a neck longer than any other girl on any go-see anywhere in the world" and the industry for giving her "the right to finally say to my husband, 'Move over. You're not the only icon in the house.'"
Write to Rachel Dodes at rachel.dodes@wsj.com
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