The Olsens, Tom Ford, Rosie Assoulin Win Big at CFDAs

Every spring, the Council of Fashion Designers of America holds what is basically the Oscars of fashion. Designers, models, muses, and industry bigwigs gather at Lincoln Center in New York City to honor the best designers of that year—in menswear, womenswear, and accessories—and celebrate the CFDA itself, which prides itself on nurturing young and emerging designers.

This year’s host was James Corden, who’s quickly earned America’s love as the host of the The Late Late Show with James Corden on CBS. While he later told Yahoo Style the crowd “was a lot warmer than I though it was going to be. A pleasant surprise,” there were plenty of gasps during his piercing monologue, which skewered everyone from Terry Richardson (who became a sort of running joke throughout the night) to beleaguered American Apparel CEO Dov Charney, and former Ambercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries. “Michael Jeffires is here tonight; he’s winning the Swarovski Prick of the Year Award,” Corden said, before moving on to Kimye. “Look at you, you beautiful bastards,” he said, congratulating the newly pregnant couple. “Their daughter North West famously threw a tantrum on the side of a runway show this year, and Kanye was not happy. He told her after the show and said the West family only throw tantrums on stage.”

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen took home the CFDA for Womenswear Designer of the Year.

But there were few tantrums last night, just plenty of nervous speeches. The night’s biggest surprise was in the most anticipated category: Womenswear Designer of the Year. When Marc Jacobs sent his now legendary grunge collection down the Perry Ellis runway, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen still had three years left of Full House. But tonight, the twins beat out Jacobs, as well as Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, Joseph Altuzarra, and Michael Kors, for the night’s biggest award.

“We have really enjoyed our time, the past 10 years in this industry,” Ashley said, before thanking her team, The Row’s retailers, and their customers. “We love our customers.”

Joshua Jackson—who mentioned his “wife”—presented the award for Menswear Designer of the Year to Tom Ford, who said he was thrilled to learn that there was life after a lifetime achievement award (which he won last year).

Joshua Jackson presenting Tom Ford with the award for Menswear Designer of the Year. Photo: Getty Images

David Remnick, the editor in chief of The New Yorker, introduced the Eleanor Lambert Founders Award winner, Mickey Drexler. The beloved J.Crew CEO brought his 90-year-old Aunt Rose and childhood buddies from the Bronx to the ceremony. “I always worked hard at every job I ever had, even when it was folding towels for my Uncle Harold,” Drexler said, regarding his tips for success. “I was really never satisfied and the job was never done. I was curious and lived in my imagination, not accepting the status quo.” And in case you ever find yourself heading into Drexler’s office for an interview, here’s what he’s looking for: “emotional IQ test, fire in the belly test, and high energy test.”

Tabitha Simmons took home the Accessories Designer of the Year Award for her wildly popular shoes, while Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel won in the same category for emerging designer, thanks to Swarovski. The emerging Menswear Designer of the Year was Hood By Air’s Shayne Oliver, whom Kanye gave a one-man standing ovation, and Womenswear Designer of the Year, Rosie Assoulin, who jumped up and down with joy after the ceremony. “Oh man, oh man, oh man! It’s too much,” she told Yahoo Style. “I feel like I keep going back in my head to myself sitting on a bed sketching alone thinking, ‘Is this ever going to see the light of day?’ To see people wear it and to realize it—that is the best part. I love it! I hope that this means we get to do it a little longer.”