The CFDA has been recognizing talented fashion designers with awards since 1981. And while some early winners, like Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani and Donna Karan went on to become household names; others eventually fell out of the spotlight--some were bought out by licensees and others switched careers entirely. We perused the CFDA's complete list of past winners and dug up some old names some of you may have never even heard before. Click through to find out what they won and who they are.
Founded in 1976, German-based clothing company Hessnatur began producing organic cotton apparel long before "green" was more than a color. And while the brand has been quietly selling key basics in natural and organic cashmere, cotton, and wool for decades, its reputation was anything but cool. (In fact, some considered the clothes to be a bit dowdy.) To freshen the label's look, it teamed up with fashion insider Miguel Androver in 2008. The designer now does a seasonal collection, which has proved successful editorially--and on the retail floor. Now Hessnatur has scored another fashion coup: Eviana Hartman, the girl who’s made green fashion cool through her Bodkin line, has collaborated with the brand for Fall 2010. She describes her new collection as more broad and less experimental than Bodkin. She wants her friends--and her mom’s friends=--to be able to wear these pieces.
photo courtesy garance doréSwan Song: Garance got her hands on a brilliant French Vogue from 1973. Sylvie Vartan's on the outside and Ungaro's on th