Daily Front Row

2012 February 10

Happy 50th, CFDA!

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Alexander Wang, Warris Ahluwalia
CHANCE YEH/PatrickMcMullan.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) One of the fashion industry's biggest birthdays each year is undoubtedly the CFDA’s. But when it's a milestone, like, say, half a century? Now that's major “Impact," which happens to be the name of the org's stupendous exhibit at the Museum at FIT, which held an opening night bash replete with a red carpet lead from the street (with a gaggle of FIT students hoping to snag a pic with designers) into the cavernous museum, filled to the brim with champagne quaffing guests that functioned as a nice snapshot of CFDA alums. Including, but certainly not limited to, everyone from Wang to Waris; Rodarte's Kate Mulleavy to Reed Krakoff; Zac Posen to Rachel Roy; and, of course, Betsey Johnson positively tearing up the carpet with her delightfully crazy poses. J'adore, always, Betsey!

Steven Kolb, always the hostess with the most-est, lingered near the front entrance to snag friends as they arrived, with DvF flitting around the premises. The most voracious greetings were dished up to Kate Winslet, to the surprise of, well, no one. A camera crew hounded an ever-elegant Georgina Chapman right before she sashayed out the door (no doubt to prep for Marchesa happenings!). The rectangular bar was occupied on all sides, one of which Dennis Basso held a captive audience amidst gossip and laughter. Though there were no appetizers to be had, quelle triste, there was absolutely no shortage of champagne and wine. A wandering army of chiseled, hunky waiters hovered to refill any empty glasses; the coat check blokes were equally as dashing, and all of the above were mistook as guests by some.

Of course, the real reason for the turn out was to support the new retrospective exhibit, which showcases 50 years of CFDA designers and their artistic accomplishment. After descending downstairs in more than a few pairs of Louboutins, guests made their way into the exhibit. Linda Fargo, Ken Downing, and Michael Kors perused the looks that were arranged along the perimeters, while chief curator Valerie Steele beamed a bit as she talked clusters of guests through the collection.

For those in need of a brief respite from scrambling around et heels, a montage of images projected on the walls allowed the weary guests to kick back for a second on a bunch of cushy settees. Pace yourselves, perpetually heel-clad purists! Just as the party was winding down around 9 p.m., The Daily overheard in the powder room, “Ooooh, I like your skirt, did you make that?” Now that’s a backhanded compliment if we’ve ever heard one! The night was young, but the CFDA certainly knew how to start the week off with 50 years of class and style. Congratulations darlings, you've earned it!
ELIZABETH LANDERS & ALEXANDRA ILYASHOV