America\'s new hottest designer

Kate Moss,Ashley Olsen,fashion event,diane von furstenberg,anna wintour Kate Moss at the CFDA awards

The winner of America\'s biggest fashion prize, the Council Of Fashion Designers (CFDA) / Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, was announced last week in New York at the 7th On Sale black tie gala. Rogan Gregory, who works under the name Rogan, was awarded the $200,000 cash prize, as well as a year\'s worth of mentoring from a senior industry executive. The runners-up were jewellery designer Philip Crangi, and womenswear designer Phillip Lim, of 3.1 Phillip Lim. Previous winners of the award, which were set up to recognise rising American design talent (a bit like the BFC\'s Fashion Fringe awards here in the UK) have included Proenza Schouler and Juicy Couture. The final decisions were made by a committee including CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg, Anna Wintour, and Gap executive vice president of design Patrick Robinson. The 7th On Sale auction was held to raise money for HIV/AIDS. Celebrities who turned up in support included Kate Moss, wearing a dress from her Topshop line, and Ashley Olsen, in Giambattista Valli.

The cobbler and The Queen

Naomi Campbell,Manolo Blahnik Naomi Campbell and Manolo Blahnik

As if being Carrie Bradshaw\'s favourite shoe designer wasn\'t accolade enough, Manolo Blahnik has scored again - this time with The Queen. Last week the British designer was awarded the title of honorary Commander of the British Empire. "Manolo Blahnik is one of only a handful of designers whose name is synonymous with their product", said Culture Secretary James Purnell. "His avant garde designs mixed with timeless classics ensure that women all over the world are desperate to get their hands on a pair of Manolos. And by basing his business in London, Mr Blahnik has played a huge part in enhancing the reputation of the capital as a leading fashion industry centre." The ever-modest designer responded by saying, "It is the greatest privilege to have been appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to receive such an honour for my small contribution to the fashion industry in Britain. I\'ll always be proud and grateful for it." Manolo Blahnik, 49-51 Old Church St, London SW3. Tel. 020 7352 8622

London\'s coolest stores hook up

handbag,liberty of london,dover street market Liberty of London handbag It\'s party season, which means many of us are frantically looking for the perfect outfit to see us good until the New Year. Luckily for us, the problem of which clutch bag to carry may just have been solved, as two of London\'s coolest stores, Liberty and Dover Street Market, are teaming up to produce a beautiful, limited edition range of handbags. Using Liberty\'s iconic Ianthe print, Liberty of London creative director Tamara Salman has decorated the embossed matte metallic Liberty of London Box bags in bold colours such as fuchsia and emerald - the perfect colours to offset any LBD. The bags will be on sale exclusively at Dover Street Market from 25 November, and will retail from about £450

Madonna\'s sweet charity

Madonna,Salma Hayek,Gwyneth Paltrow,Gucci Madonna

She\'s known for her collaborations with designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Dolce & Gabbana, but next year will see Madonna team up with Gucci for a whole different reason. On 6 February, 2008, the pop superstar and the iconic luxury goods house will host an exclusive fundraising event to celebrate the opening of Gucci\'s largest store in the world. The opening of the flagship store on New York\'s 5th Avenue will benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF, and will consist of dinner followed by a guest speaker, a musical performance, and an afterparty. Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Salma Hayek are among the co-chairs. In a statement, Madonna said, "I am grateful that Gucci is joining forces with me to bring attention to a country with millions of children in desperate need of our help. Raising Malawi has already done tremendous work in helping these children. But we have much more to do and this event will surely bring us closer to our goal." 

Burberry\'s vanity project

burberry Burberry

Burberry has announced it will be sponsoring its third exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Vanity Fair Portraits, which will open on 14 February 2008, will show a collection of rare vintage prints and contemporary classic photographs which have featured in the magazine, which is famous for its iconic snaps of A-list celebrities. The show will feature work by world-renowned photographers such as Cecil Beaton, Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz, who famously shot the first pictures of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes with their baby Suri for the magazine. Burberry designer Christopher Bailey said in a statement, "It is particularly exciting on this occasion to be working with the iconic magazine, Vanity Fair, and, once again, with the renowned British institution that is the National Portrait Gallery." Previously the British fashion house has sponsored NPG exhibitions by photographer Mario Testino, and David Hockney. Vanity Fair Portraits will run until 26 May 2008.

Stella has designs on Selfridges

Stella McCartney,Selfridges Stella McCartney

It\'s not as if we needed another excuse to shop at Stella McCartney, the ambitious designer has nonetheless just given us one, with the announcement of the redesign of her store within Selfridges in London. The designer has directed a complete remodelling of the shop within a shop, which is situated on the second floor in the Superbrands department. Maple-wood walls, brass rails and copper shoe shelves, all bathed in light the colour of the designer\'s trademark soft palette of dirty pink and washed-out greys, are features of the revamped space. The designer, who has designed a range of bags for Le Sportsac for spring, will also launch her first eponymous lingerie line next February.

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