Nadia Swarovski, Justin Giunta, Alexander Wang, Tim Hamilton and Blake Lively attends the 2009 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall in New York City.

The CFDA awards are regarded as “the Oscars of the fashion industry”. Last night the winners of these prestigious awards were announced in New York. And of course as expected, the stars came out to congratulate the designers and pose on the red carpet. Some big names included Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively and Late Night’s Jimmy Fallon. The evening also included a well-deserved tribute to America’s most fashionable woman: First Lady Michelle Obama.

Here is the full list of winners:

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Rodarte’s Laura and Kate Mulleavy
Menswear Designer of the Year (tie): Calvin Klein’s Italo Zucchelli and Band of Outsiders’ Scott Sternberg
Accessory Designer of the Year: Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez
Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Alexander Wang
Swarovski Award for Menswear: Tim Hamilton
Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry
International Award: Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Anna Sui
Eugenia Sheppard Award: Women’s Wear Daily editor-in-chief Ed Nardoza
Eleanor Lambert Award: GQ’s Jim Moore
Board of Director’s Special Tribute: First Lady Michelle Obama

More Photos:

Having trouble finding that perfect summer staple for your wardrobe?

You might want to consider picking up this season’s must-have: the romper.

The trend emerged last summer and made its way onto Derek Lam, Betsey Johnson, and Alexander Wang’s runways this season. Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively is a fan, recently sporting a teal-blue ADAM romper at the CW Network Party.

The romper first appeared in 1910 as playwear for younger children, particularly boys. It is believed to have originated from the bloomer, and is known as the first “true” play suit. The romper was revolutionary in that it was the first piece of clothing that wasn’t restrictive to children and allowed for several hours of unlimited play. In the 1950s, dressier rompers were developed so that they could be worn at more formal occasions.

Now, fashionable stars like Mary-Kate Olsen, Taylor Momsen and Lauren Conrad are wearing the romper. Unlike its more casual cousin, the overall, rompers create a more sophisticated, chic, and perfectly pulled together look. They’re extremely versatile, easy to wear and comfortable, not to mention flattering for every body type.

The romper is available in all sorts of fabrics and prints, and can be worn to the office, on the street, or out to dinner.

Pair your romper with gladiator sandals and a skinny belt to cinch the waist for the daytime or dress it up with high heels and some statement jewelry. Rompers also make a perfect cover-up for the beach. Just add a headscarf and flip-flops and you’ll be ready to go.

Happy shopping!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dot Spots Jumpsuit, $325

Roots Kate Bamboo Jersey Jumpsuit, $68

American Apparel Tri-blend halter romper, $32

The Party

The launch of The Model as Muse exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art includes an enormous gala that rivals the red carpet at the Oscars.

Justin Timberlake and girlfriend Jessica Biel were among the first to arrive at the MET for the this year’s gala. Timberlake wore a William Rast suit and geek-chic glasses, while Biel was on his arm in red Versace. Marc Jacobs, the man and host behind the exhibit, waltzed in with Kate Moss, who wore a backless metallic toga dress and a turban.

The showstopper? Had to be Madonna and her interesting Louis Vuitton ensemble. The L.A. Times said that Madonna looked “ready for Neverland … like the love child of Tinkerbell and Captain Hook.”

Christian Dior brought along Academy Award winning actress Marion Cotillard who wore his design for Christian Dior. Kanye West worked a Louis Vuitton suit, while his lady Amber Rose looked stunning in Carolina Herrera. Mary-Kate Olsen with longer messier blonde hair wore Christian Lacroix Couture. Her sister Ashley looked beautiful in backless white dress, her own design from The Row.

Jessica Alba wore a shorter number by Michelle Obama’s favourite, Jason Wu. Tyra Banks smiled with her eyes while posing for photos in her Badgley Mischka gown.

Brooke Shields wore Calvin Klein, obviously!

Leighton Meester looked adorable with her new blonder hair in a standout Louis Vuitton outfit. Kate Beckinsale wowed the photographers in her Marchesa gown. Liv Tyler channeled old Hollywood glam in a Stella McCartney dress. Blake Lively wore Versace, she was one of the last to arrive, her date Penn Badgley told reporters that they were having a wardrobe malfunction. Agyness Deyn and Twiggy arrived arm-in-arm, both wearing Burberry. And last, but certainly not least, Rihanna made her comeback to the red carpet with an androgynous look by Dolce & Gabbana.

See all these fabulous red carpet arrivals in the gallery below.

The Exhibit

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit The Models As Muse: Embodying Fashion, takes a look at how models played a role in inspiring fashion through several eras.

The exhibition is organized by the Costume Institute’s director Harold Koda and guest curator Kohle Yohannan. It features about 80 looks arranged according to decade.

Beginning with a peek into the post-WWII resurgence of American fashion and advertising, you can find photographs of Lisa Fonssagrives, Suzy Parker, Dovima, Sunny Harnett, and Dorian Leigh in what was called the Golden Age of Haute Couture.

The ’60s “Youthquake” display pays homage to models such as Peggy Moffitt and Twiggy with ensembles from Paco Robanne, Andre Courreges and Rudi Gernreich.

The ‘70s were about the All-American athletic-looking model, when women like Jerry Hall and Lisa Taylor were the muse. The exhibit features boho looks form Yves Saint Laurent and Halston dresses.

Moving on to the ‘80s in an era of the supermodel, where the “trinity”, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, appeared in all the designer campaigns.

The ‘90s marked a shift from beautiful supermodels to rebel girls such as Kate Moss, along with the minimalism of Donna Karan and Prada.

If you are in the New York area or traveling to the city, it’s worth checking out. The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion exhibit runs from May 6 – Aug 9.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, at 82nd St. (212-535-7710)

Gallery:

What is the best way to update your wardrobe? Accessorize! Accessories are cheaper than buying an outfit and you can always look at accessory shopping as an investment because you wear them over and over again. Start with a plain tee and start adding… you will be surprised what you can come up with. But remember what Coco Chanel taught us, “before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” Too much is never a good thing.

Here are spring’s accessory trends:

Chandelier earrings, charlotterusse.com, bracelet and necklace, lorisshoes.com, belt, toast, sandals, nordstrom, bag, vintage.

Ballet flats, marc jacobs, earrings and headband, tarinatarantino.com, shoes, kg, sunglasses, balenciaga, nail polish, opi, belt, dorothyperkins.com.

Purse, marc jacobs, earrings, anytimecostumes.com, ring, monsoon accessorize, purfume, viktor & rolf, bow-tie, forever21, shoes, miu miu.