Last night on Monday June 1st, the Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Awards 2015 in collabration with Swarovski took place in Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center, New York City and my oh my what a wonderful turn out on the red carpet. You’ll remember last year very well, as CFDA Fashion Icon 2014 Rihanna took to the evening in a risqué Adam Selman number. But this year there was a whole lot of class, and thankfully not a lot of ass. This year’s CFDA Fashion Icon 2015 recipient was Pharrell Williams, who brought his colourful & stylish A-game to the event. Jump to the bottom of the post to find out all of the winners of this year’s CFDA Fashion Awards, but for now check out who has made the Killer Fashion Best Dressed list!

Best Dressed

Janelle Monáe blew me away with her signature classic & elegant style, donning this cape by Tadashi Shoji to the CFDAs. The singer styled her hair into a signature Janelle do, and added the current hair trend of hair rings to her look to finish. Gold strap sandals by Christian Louboutin, red lipstick and a white marble clutch by Edie Parker, along with an array of beauiful jewellery from Lorraine Schwartz and OFIRA. I always love Janelle’s style, because she shows that you can still show off some leg or flash some skin without going over the top, and also that the cape trend is here to stay!

Coco Rocha also killed it on the red carpet, looking divine in this silver-grey gown with its bow details. The model’s porcelain skin and dark hair with that dark vampy lipstick were the perfect additions to the soft dress choice, which was custom-designed by Marissa Webb of Banana Republic. 

Lady in Red

Jhené Aiko wearing a red dress by Prabal Gurung. Wearing a sweetheart fitted gown with a mid split and train, the soul singer joined in on the fun with black & white strappy sandals that laced up her leg. Jhené gave us serious brow action too, as her makeup was on point and added only a few select jewels to complete her look.

Diane Kruger joined both Jhené Aiko & Prabal Gurung, wearing the designer’s creation too. Her strapless modernistic dress was an all-over sequined number with a black & red bodice and a red patterned skirt with a leg split finish. Taking things to another level, the actress added strappy sandals, an Edie Parker clutch and plenty of Swarovski jewellery. Both Jhené and Diane absolutely worked the lady in red look, and are for sure amongst the Best Dressed from the evening.

Stylist June Ambrose was in attendance wearing a strapless sweetheart gown by Zac Posen that featured a scallop-tiered train skirt finish. A headscarf by Donald Robertson and a colour matching Alexander McQueen clutch added to her look, along with black fringe earrings by Aurora Bailey Jewelry and perfectly applied cat eyeliner. Gorgeous and fun!

Petra Nemcova is at it again, looking stunning in her berry red dress with a plunging neckline and sheer panels on the bodice for a cut-out illusion. A gold glitter clutch, that beautifully braided updo and matching berry lipstick made for a great red carpet look.

Taraji P. Henson also opted for a berry red gown, but by Vera Wang Collection. Her strapless halterneck dress was a great fit on the actress, working her curves beautifully and showing off her gold heels too. She added Astley Clarke jewellery to the look, finishing up with voluminous waves, oversized earrings and smokey eyes.

Wearing quite the dress, Jemima Kirke attended in Rosie Assoulin, donning a two-piece dress that featured a scooped finish on the crop top and a fanned-out full skirt. Oversized floral earrings, long blonde hair and subtle red lipstick rounded up her CFDA look.

Metallic Madness

Actress Amanda Seyfried attended in this Rodarte mini dress, with full embellishments and colour-clashing designs. It was her hair & makeup that really blew me away, as she was smizing from every angle, and looking all sorts of sexy. Gold Christian Louboutin sandals and Monique Péan jewels completed her look.

Wearing what seems as though a tribute to last year’s Fashion Icon Rihanna, model Anna Ewers attended the awards in a gold metallic mini dress by Alexander Wang that featured onyx round studs all over. The long-sleeved mini was rather sheer showing off her assets in a risqué manner, which oddly enough she teamed with black patent platform boots. Barely there makeup and a ponytail, this look was all about the bang!

Alicia Quarles made for a fun entrance on the red carpet. The E! News presenter wore a dress by Kim Mesches which featured an ochre gold bodice and black sheer overlay, a black mini skirt with an ochre & black sheer waterfall overlay skirt from the waistbelt by Lafayette 148 New York. Her chain & bullet detailed shoes by Joyce Echols were quite the statement too, and she rounded up her look with a Cesare Paciotti clutch, jewels by Hueb, red lipstick and dark eye makeup.

Looking like a blonde bombshell from the 1970s, model Gigi Hadid blew me away in her slinky flared jumpsuit. Her Michael Kors gold one-piece featured all over lattice design for a peekaboo vibe that looked divine on the model’s body, accentuating her curves. A gold envelope clutch, beach waves and subtle smokey eyes finished up her look for the CFDAs.

Michelle Monahan looking divine in a Monique Lhuillier gown. The intricate gown featured a sequined bodice with nude panels for cut-out illusions, as well as a sheer tulle skirt finish with criss-cross sequin details. It was quite the gown, and the actress kept the rest of her look simple with barely there makeup, soft wavy hair and a gold box clutch.

White Hot

Chrissy Teigen joined the ladies & gents on the red carpet in a sheen strapless with a draped detail on the bust and a mid split on the skirt. The model & presenter was all smiles, adding a Swarovski silver & black clutch and smokey eyes to her straight hairstyle, and finishing with bauble drop earrings.

Model Joan Smalls looked smoking hot in her off-white plunging gown, which she upped the ante with dark & dramatic blue smokey eyes and an array of Jennifer Fisher jewellery. A solid gold clutch and sleek ponytail completed her look.

Actress Juliette Lewis attended in a Christian Siriano gown that featured a feathery full skirt and a crop top for a modern twist. A silver clutch and white pointed pumps with an updo rounded up her red carpet attire.

Blogger and fashion designer Chiara Ferragni attended in a fringe frenzy, donning a monochrome three-piece consisting of a high-waisted skirt with a leather waistband trim and a leg split, a black crop top and a matching fringed jacket with leather panels on the shoulders. Black barely there sandals and a Rebecca Minkoff clutch completed her look.

Ada Kokosar attended in a wonderful creation by Angel Sanchez. Her textured look also featured soft chiffon petals from the bust as well as at the back of the look, which with her red lipstick, blonde straight hair and that striking box clutch, were ideal altogether.

Looking somewhat similar to Juliette Lewis’ feathery look, actress Nina Dobrev wore an off-white Lela Rose two-piece. The pink hues of the feathered skirt and metallic sheen of the crop top added to the fitted finish, which was more Nina’s style than what Juliette wore. A bouffant hairstyle, H. Stern earrings and a silver Lee Savage clutch completed her look, which overall was the perfect finish.

Wearing a simple LWD, Jessica Hart attended in this cream coloured mini with a slight v-cut on the neckline, teamed with leopard printed panel sandals, red lipstick and smokey eyes.

Katherine MacPhee also joined in on the black & white party, donning a sleeveless duster jacket with an off-white crop top and high-waisted pleated midi skirt by Paule Ka and Amanda Wakeley that showed off her incredible multi strap nude & black heels by Rene Caovilla. A gold box clutch by Lee Savage, Marina B jewels, soft pink lips and a simple updo completed the singer’s look.

The Femme Suit

The femme power suit sure was popular on the red carpet for the CFDAs, as the likes of stylist Jenna Lyons, models Daphne Groeneveld, Daria Strokous and Jesse Jo Stark all opted for the black suit sans shirt. Jenna Lyons opted to add a leopard printed clutch and metallic & tassel detailed flats; Daphne Groeneveld’s fitted & flared look was accented by black pumps, a layered necklace and smokey eyes; whereas Daria Strokous’ jumpsuit was styled with a bauble pavé choker necklace, a box clutch and barely there makeup; and Jesse Jo Stark’s jumpsuit was accented by a waistbelt, quilted clutch and silver necklace that was hidden behind her brunette & turquoise wavy hair.

Designer Vera Wang was also in attendance wearing a loose-fitting silk jumpsuit with white stripes down the sides of the legs and a halterneck finish. Her super long straight hair and signature bracelets were all that were needed for the full on relaxed look.

Mimi So also opted for a classic black & white look, wearing a flared pant suit with a white plunging shirt and a silver necklace. I love Mimi’s two-tone bob cut with this look, everything about her outfit is classy.

Actress January Jones wore a different jumpsuit to the rest. Attending in J. Mendel, the ruby-red corset & black trousers one-piece was styled with a one-of-a-kind Irene Neuwirth gemstone necklace, Paul Andrew heels and a Rauwolf clutch.

A Splash of Colour

Linda Fargo attended the awards in a shimmering blue wrap dress, which she styled with a sparkling pavé serpent choker necklace, silver strappy sandals and an envelope clutch with red lipstick to finish.

Model Liya Kebede wore a colourful orange & white colourblock midi dress with a zigzag pattern and strappy heels.

Brittany Snow was also in attendance to the awards donning a black & teal midi dress with a straight strapless neckline and striped mesh panels. I’m not a fan of the shoes with this look though, and overall I think the look is too old for Brittany’s style.

Jacquelyn Jablonski looked wondrous in a light pink midi dress that featured a keyhole detail on the bust and a black sequin motif on the side of the skirt. She matched lilac sandals, a black box clutch and smokey eyes.

Josephine Skriver joined her model friends at the event, wearing a silky burgundy slip dress that featured a thigh high split. She added some oomph with studded cuffs, a choker necklace and embellished heels and a black leather clutch.

Hannah Davis was looking very stylish donning a Milly collection from head to toe. Her plum purple high-waisted tweed skirt was worn with a cut out bralet and sheer patterned crop jacket, which she accessorized with black ankle strap sandals and a clutch to finish.

Top model Karlie Kloss gave us a sexy but classy plunging dress in a polka dot pattern and capped sleeves by Diane von Furstenberg. Keeping things simple, Karlie added a beaded necklace and red lipstick with a swishy curly do.

Designer Tory Burch attended in a gold & pink long-sleeved gown, that was relaxed on the tall blonde’s silhouette.

Harley Viera-Newton opted for this pretty green number, wearing a strapless textured & patterned mini dress in a boxy fit in hues of green. A half-up half-down hairstyle, gold strap sandals, gold interlinked earrings and a box clutch with red matte lipstick completed her beautiful look.

Black Beauties

Twins Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen attended the gala, though skipped the red carpet. Both dressed in black, Mary-Kate opted for a high neck and long coat ensemble with black slippers while her sister Ashley opted for a silk kimono-like ensemble with black satin pants and beige & black flat pumps. Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen also won the award for Womenswear Designer of the Year for The Row.

Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldrige attended in a shimmering Thakoon dress, which she wore with Tabitha Simmons shoes. She kept colour at bay by opting for a neutral makeup finish, and held a Lee Savage clutch.

Model Karen Elson joined the partying a long-sleeved lace gown that slightly showed off her lingerie underneath. She added a white studded clutch and pretty heart designed shoes.

Devon Windsor blew me away in her custom-made Jonathan Simkhai gown, with its cut out, sheer and diagonal pattern & panels. The billowed sleeves and long train added more oomph to the look, which the tall blonde worked perfectly with an updo, barely there makeup and that gorgeous smile of hers.

Looking as alluring as could be, Emmy Rossum attended in a black cut out & sheer sleeved midi dress by Dion Lee. Opting for a monochromatic look, the actress added a Lee Savage clutch, jewellery by Eva Fehren and Paul Andrew heels to her look, finishing with smokey eyes and kept her hair back. Sometimes simplicity is key, and this worked so wonderfully.

Kelly Osbourne wore a metallic grid-patterned crop top with a silhoutte black skirt & train. Her signature lilac hair complimented her lip colour, which she finished up with a selection of rings.

Singer Tinashe attended her first CFDA Awards wearing an interesting look by Chanel & Public School NYC. The youngster wore a loose plunging jumpsuit with grid patterns, with an oversized scarf around her shoulders and completed the ensemble with black military-style boots. Not your typical look for the CFDAs, but I admire her personality shining through the style.

Victoria Beckham was of course in attendance, and was of course wearing black. One day she will surprise us all, but not today as she wore her designs in this slinky plunging full-length dress. The sleeveless look was everyting signature VB, from the ponytail hairstyle to the smokey eyes and minimal accessories. Classic.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens opted for a gown by Sachin & Babi, donning this sheer panelled sweetheart gown with a waterfall hem that was all sorts of wonderful. I adore the slight drama of this dress with the simplistic accessories; black barely there sandals, a clutch bag, tied back hair and smokey eyes. A purple lip would have made this look really stand out, but Vanessa did the gown justice nevertheless.

Notable Mentions

Menswear

CFDA Fashion Awards 2015 winners:

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row

Menswear Designer of the Year: Tom Ford

Accessory Designer of the Year: Tabitha Simmons

Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Rosie Assoulin

Swarovski Award for Menswear: Shayne Oliver for Hood by Air

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Rachel Mansur & Floriana Gavriel for Mansur Gavriel

The Founder’s Award in Honour of Eleanor Lambert: Millard “Mickey” Drexler

International Award: Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Betsey Johnson

Fashion Icon Award 2015: Pharrell Williams

Nirina xx

Images courtesy of Zimbio

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