Daily Front Row

2012 November 14

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Names 2012 Winner

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Steven Kolb, Anna Wintour, Christopher Bailey, Tabitha Simmons, Jennifer Meyer Maguire, Greg Chait, Diane von Furstenberg, and Emma Stone
Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) The winner of the ninth CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award is Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman. Chait, a charming, bearded chap who launched his laid-back luxeware in 2007 to a cult following on the West Coast, accepted his win last night at the annual dinner gala in Chelsea's Center548, trumping Suno’s Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty; A.L.C.’s Andrea Lieberman; Assembly New York’s Greg Armas; Giulietta’s Sofia Sizzi; Illesteva’s Justin Salguero, Daniel Silberman, and Alina Silberman; Jennifer Fisher, and Wes Gordon—all of whom developed exclusive items this season for luxury e-tailer, TheCorner.com. 

Stylist turned cordonnier Tabitha Simmons and jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer Maguire (wife of Tobey Maguire) were named runner-ups. All three up-and-comers will receive business mentoring from the industry's consummate leaders. Chait will take home the coveted $300,000 prize; Maguire and Simmons will each receive $100,000.

During the swanky din, Emma Stone was charged with presenter duties while Burberry's Christopher Bailey served as keynote speaker, playfully addressing a roomful of high-profiles noshing on chicken pot pie. In view: Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera,  Karlie Kloss, Arizona Muse, Rooney Mara, Liv Tyler, Chelsea Clinton, Tommy Hilfiger, Miranda Kerr, Jourdan Dunn, Tobey Maguire, Christina Ricci, Ashley Greene, Alexa Chung, and Alexander Wang, to name a few.

On stage, Bailey opened up about his early love of fashion (scouring 'jumble sales' across the pond) and garnered laughs from the packed house with tales of Donna Karan in her birthday suit and Tom Ford's unique interview tactics, complete with a dapper gent sitting in a dark room "with his shirt open to his navel, with a huge gold belt." Sounds mysterious! When it was Chait's turn to accept his bronzed statue, he humbly stated: "I made a good case in my head for every one of you to win. This means the world to me.”

Since its inception in 2003, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has recognized Billy Reid, Sophie Theallet, Alexander Wang, Rogan, Doo.Ri, Trovata, Proenza Schouler, and last year's champ, Joseph Altuzarra.
MARIA DENARDO