It just so happens that exactly half of the designers to win at this years CFDA awards are among the most celebrated on Opening Ceremony's roster. We couldn't agree more with their wins, so here are some of their greatest hits from the collections that brought them gold.

Menswear Designer of the Year: Band of Outsiders' Scott Sternberg (in a tie with Calvin Klein's Italio Zucchelli)

Cult following seems too lax of a term to describe Band of Outsiders. Sternberg has legitimate fanboys, and rightly so. His suits are all hand tailored in New York and have a slim style that miraculously appears custom fit to everyone who puts one on. It's actually a bit suspicious. I've come across people who are at the point where they can't even handle trying on the line just for fun, because they know that once they look in the mirror it's not coming off until they get home.

Sternberg designed this overdyed blue oxford exclusively for Opening Ceremony, and with Legos in mind. If you've ever been to our LA store, you know he's kind of into them.

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Rodarte

As there is an exception to every rule, those who downplay America's place in the avant garde fashion world will often point out Rodarte as the key exclusion. In only a few seasons, sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy have managed to create an otherworldly aesthetic so original, no one even knew what was missing in the fashion game until they came along. Their futuristic, gothic designs are brought to life with exquisite, often hand finished fabrics and processes that evoke visual textures of tachisme made luxurious. It's like if Fautrier painted over amazing silk that was then reconstructed in a way I can't even dream up, you'd get a Rodarte dress.

Their signature knits are identifiable for their unique construction. A combination of weaving techniques and a variation of materials make them something you really can't help but marvel at in person.

Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent (Womenswear): Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang has managed to become the go-to for everything from tank tops to prom dresses. He's also made gym wear luxe, which is an easy thing to love. When every girl I know wanted these sweat shorts, I'll be honest and say I didn't really get it. When they sold out in our stores last season, I figured I was probably wrong. When I tried them on, I realized I was totally out of it. Aside from his killer ready-to-wear line, he pretty much reinvented the wheel when it comes to basics by launching T by Alexander Wang.

Accessory Designer of the Year: Proenza Schouler

Just yesterday, Proenza Schouler debuted their pre-spring 2010 collection at Pitti W, Florence's prestigious biannual fashion event. The design duo, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, used the invitation as a chance to experiment with their presentation. Among a video by Kalup Linzy and a performance by Kembra Pfahler was an installation by Haim Steinbach which introduced Proenza Schouler's new season of accessories. We have Art Production Fund to thank for the striking decision to use Steinbach, who's known for his exploration of found objects and the different dynamics they give as a result of how we choose to display them. A display of the accessories alongside found objects on a white carpet presented a new way to love the collection for its individual pieces as well as its cohesion.


FILED UNDER: rodarte , proenza schouler , band of outsiders , alexander wang , kembra pfahler