2012 CFDA Awards: Surprises, Trends, And Fashion From The Olsens, Kate Bosworth and More!

At first I thought nothing could get better than the Met Gala and that it was indeed the Oscars of fashion. After all, everyone who was anyone in fashion was at that event looking spectacular in whatever designer they chose.  And then the CFDA Awards came along, and it looks like the Met Gala has some strong competition. After all, being an awards show, the CFDA Awards is LITERALLY the “Oscars” of fashion and it includes designers, fashion media, celebrities, and models who have made a strong impact in the American fashion world. No event is more glam. This year, the Council of Fashion Designers of America is celebrating 50 years in fashion and paying tribute to Johnny Depp, who has been honored with the coveted Fashion Icon Award for his unique look and risk taking when it comes to style.

Others honored with CFDA Awards include Billy Reid for Menswear, Reed Krakoff for Accessories, and Tommy Hilfiger for Lifetime Achievement. Anna Wintour spoke highly of Hilfiger, saying that his style represented “the best in American values.”

Perhaps the biggest surprise came in the form of two tiny tykes (OK, they’re not so tiny anymore) taking home the coveted Best in Womenswear Design and beating experienced designers like Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler.  Twenty-five year old twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have won in Best Womenswear Design for their high-end label, The Row, just one of two designer labels they are currently helming. Besides the fact that their acceptance speech (thanking each other) was cute, they certainly looked the part in statement dresses from their brand and Mary-Kate’s new chocolate brown hair.

Joseph Altuzarra has been the much talked-about designer at the fashion weeks this season after his Fall 2012 collection was praised by practically all. This year, he won the Swarovski award for emerging talent and it’s pretty easy to see why as Kate Bosworth models an Altuzarra Laal Dress from his Fall 2012 collection with a unique print and sexy cutout.

Lily Collins has certainly upped her status in the fashion world, wearing everything from unique menswearish ensembles to this gorgeous gold jacquard dress from Marchesa.

In one of the night’s biggest surprises, Dakota Fanning, who is prone to wearing Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton, showed up in a kimono print brocade wrap dress from Proenza Schouler, something we’ve never seen her come close to tackling before. But someone who takes risks with unique garments is what makes for a great fashionista, right?

We’ve seen so much of Jason Wu‘s lace under silk dresses lately that it was nice to see someone wearing something just a wee bit different. Mad Men’s Jessica Pare is slowly defining her style and we’re happy to see her in something other than 60s mod, though she carries that off well, too.

Zoe Saldana, who is prone to wearing Prabal, showcased her gorgeous figure and her unique style in this Fall 2012 Prabal Gurung dress.  Jessica Chastain, who wore a completely different look didn’t look as well put together.  The dress, with its small shoulder cape, seemed to be all wrong for her.

Another surprise of the evening was seeing Anna Wintour in Marc Jacobs Resort 2013.  But she sure looks divine doesn’t she?

The Best Dress of the evening prize must go to model Hilary Rhoda, who stunned us all in this Rebecca Minkoff blue cutout number. She arrived with Man Repeller blogger Leandra Medine and the designer herself, but certainly outdid everyone in the room that night, even the model favorites like Karolina Kurkova and Arizona Muse.

Photos: People.com, Fabsugar –Simona Kogan