The backing of the all-powerful Council Of Fashion Designers Of America can work wonders for a young designer's career - just ask the unstoppable Alexander Wang, who last year won the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award and, in the past 12 months, has seen his name championed in every fashion circle in the world.

Which means that womenswear designer Sophie Théallet, who was last night named Wang's successor to the coveted six-year-old prize, must be feeling pretty damn pleased today. Not only did she win a $200,000 boost to her business and a year's worth of mentoring, but she was inaugurated into the exclusive club by none other than Lanvin's Alber Elbaz and bona fide A-lister Nicole Kidman.

"I'm French, so I'm going to try to do my best," said Brooklyn-based Théallet as she accepted her award in front of the fashion world elite - Anna Wintour, Diane Von Furstenberg, Karen Elson and Alexa Chung among them - during an unsurprisingly chic dinner that was underwritten by Cartier. "Thank you for making my American dreams come true."

Also thanking their lucky stars (and stripes) were menswear designer Patrik Ervell and "philanthropic jewellery maker" Monique Péan, who each scooped $50,000 as runners-up.

Picture: CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award winner Sophie Théallet with model Aminata Niaria, wearing one of her designs.

cfda.com