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Showing posts with label CFDA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CFDA. Show all posts

September 9, 2022

New York Fashion Week 2022 Opening Night

New York Fashion Week 2022 Opening Night. New York Fashion Week 2022 is a swag – New York Mayor Eric Adams. Story by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE.

Yep, it’s official. New York Fashion Week is a swag, according to nightlife New York Mayor Eric Adams. And yes, he opened New York Fashion Week last night, the night when the whole world mourn Queen Elizabeth II.

“New York is as cool as can be right now,” Eric Adams said in his opening speech, “in Gracie Mansion with this room full of folks with swag.”

Swag – Swagger meaning: walk or behave in a very arrogant or aggressive way.

Swag is a slang which came from 1960s. Back there it meant “loot”, and it came from a term thieves used to describe stolen goods. And it is how, according to Merriam-Webster, swag became a new world for “freebies”, promotional free given goods. Where New York Mayor Eric Adams got this slang from, you might ask? Check out his biography. Former policemen, who straighten up his life after looting. Does he really?

New York Mayor Eric Adams, Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO - NYFW 2022
New York Mayor Eric Adams, Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO - NYFW 2022

New York Mayor Eric Adams was co-hosting the opening party with Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of the Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and Anna Wintour. This is the second fashion week since Adams took office. During his first, in February, he was seen sitting in the front row at Michael Kors’s runway show, beside Wintour. He also attended the Met Gala, and Balenciaga show.

New York Times published a very sarcastic article “Mr. Mayor, Who Are You Wearing?” about this opening New York Fashion Week night and Eric Adams.

Vanity Fair went even further: “The New York Times recently published a front-page story that focused on the mechanics and finances of Adams’s regular evenings at the restaurant Osteria La Baia, which is run by two friends, the brothers Robert and Zhan Petrosyants, who pleaded guilty to felony charges in 2014 after federal prosecutors accused them of money laundering.” And this is just top of the hill.

That night went “swaggingly” well.

New York Mayor Eric Adams, Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO - NYFW 2022
New York Mayor Eric Adams, Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO - NYFW 2022

Eric Adams published on his instagram several photos about this event with the description: “There’s a reason New York City is home to Fashion Week, just look around our city and check out all the incredible style! It was an honor to join CFDA and Vogue Magazine last night to help kick off New York Fashion Week 2022. Let’s head to the runway!”

He received massive wave of the comments like this one: “Are you going to get the drug addicts, criminals. and homeless off the street or just continue to prance around like a socialite???”

To add here New York officials recently declared a disaster due to polio outbreak In New York which have infected THOUSANDS in the state. It comes after officials announced the detection of the virus in wastewater in April 2022. But how this problem can be compared to fashion, and “business” dinners at Osteria La Baia, owned by felons-friends?

But let’s face it, the best way according to the Mayor Adams is to battle criminals with fashion. In the article on CFDA website, describing this evening and speech of Eric Adams, he was expressing his admiration to fashion and his personal fashion sense, “When I want to place emphasis on ending gun violence, a designer comes to me to design my tuxedo with “End Gun Violence” on the back of it drawn over the entire subway system to show we must be safe in our city.”

That’s one way to do it…. But not the way a mayor should. Even Mayor in “Jews” didn’t go that far!

New York Mayor Eric Adams, Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, Michael Kors, Thom Browne - NYFW 2022
New York Mayor Eric Adams, Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, Michael Kors, Thom Browne - NYFW 2022

Eric Adams also expressed his admiration to Anna Wintour: “No person personifies the spirit and energy more than Anna, the Angel that Wears Prada. Her love for this city is remarkable. Her dedication, commitment, and how she talks about what this city will become.” Another personal friend, I presume.

Mayor Adams is also announced that “This week, we will move about and know you are a 600-million-dollar juggernaut just in this week alone. That is twice the amount we make than if we had the Superbowl here. You bring the economy to the city with 100,000 employees, 100 million dollars’ tax revenue; you bring the character, the posture, and the stance of this city; you are the exclamation point of New York. New York is back! We are live; we will bring the artistic energy and the diversity we are known for. We will make this a signature event every year that I am Mayor.”

Who gave him these numbers? These numbers were valid when designers like Ralph Lauren participated in New York Fashion Week. But I guess these numbers were not calculated by the participants at the New York Fashion Week. These are just global numbers of fashion business in USA. Who he wants to fool? This New York Fashion Week, like any other previous fashion week is a week presenting mainly emerging designers who don’t have this kind of money to invest in one show, and hire so many people. Get real!

Mayor Eric Adams, Anna Wintour, Tommy Hilfiger at Gracie Mansion - NYFW 2022 opening
Mayor Eric Adams, Anna Wintour, Tommy Hilfiger at Gracie Mansion - NYFW 2022 opening

Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO, was also quite pleased with the new New York administration and the way Mayor is handling the fashion industry. “I love that he opened Gracie Mansion. Mayor Di Blasio did this 8 years ago, but this is different. He supported manufacturing initiatives and economic development; he saw it and elevated and collaborated on it. Mayor Adams sees that too, but he also sees the creativity. He understands the seriousness of fashion but also the magic of it,” he said.

This evening attended “swaggers”: Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Thom Browne, Tory Burch, Vera Wang, Stan Herman, Andrew Bolton, Victor Glemaud, Karlie Kloss, Aurora James, Emily Ratajkowski, Cynthia Rowley, Rebecca Minkoff, Stacy Bendet, Lauren Santo Domingo, Derek Blasberg, Willy Chavarria, Dee Ocleppo, Bach Mai and Carly Cushnie among others.

Swag it all off, guys! Perhaps this is a time for a new clean start for these emerging designers who are so eager to show what they are capable of. After all New York is always rich on talents.

Photo Courtesy: Mayor Eric Adams / BFA

November 13, 2021

2021 CFDA Fashion Awards ceremony – Celebrating Counterfeit

2021 CFDA Fashion Awards ceremony – Celebrating Counterfeit. Review by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE.

Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021
Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021

Emily Blunt, Chairman of the CFDA Tom Ford, Dame Anna Wintour, Designer Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga, Kering - CFDA Award 2021
Emily Blunt, Chairman of the CFDA Tom Ford, Dame Anna Wintour, Designer Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga, Kering - CFDA Award 2021

CFDA Fashion Awards 2021 ceremony took place at the Pool + The Grill within the Seagram Building on Park Avenue. The fabulous evening was hosted by actress Emily Blunt.

Celebration of counterfeit and illegal goods designer Dapper Dan with the Geoffrey Beene lifetime achievement award

This year CFDA honored counterfeit goods designer Dapper Dan with the Geoffrey Beene lifetime achievement award, making him the first designer without a fashion show, and the first designer who produced counterfeit goods, chased by FBI, to ever win the honor.

Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021
Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021

Dapper Dan was tearing when he received the award this Wednesday November 10. He proudly told the story how he printed on fabrics in his atelier the logos of Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Fendi, how he picked the designs from sportswear companies, or Christian Dior Haute Couture designs for the famous jacket he made with Louis Vuitton printed logos to Olympic Runner Diane Lynn Dixon, or how he mixed Gucci and Louis Vuitton logos on the bomber jackets. Dapper Dan proudly told the story about how he “created” jackets, even total looks for drug-lords, rap or hip-hop singers.
Dapper Dan also told the story about how fashion brands filed massive lawsuit against him, he was chased by FBI, and finally they were able to close his atelier in Harlem, and strip him from all money he earned by production of illegal goods. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, and specifically Fendi put the end to this illegal production. 
Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021
Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021

Olympic Runner Diane Dixon - Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of CFDA Award 2021
Olympic Runner Diane Dixon - Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of CFDA Award 2021

Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021
Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021

In 2017 CEO of Kering Luxury Group Francois-Henri Pinault and CEO of Gucci Marco Bizzarri decided to invest several million dollars, and and relaunched Dapper Dan as a by-appointment studio for custom pieces. Dapper Dan himself was even starring in Gucci’s new men’s-tailoring ad campaign.
In another words CEO of Kering Luxury Group Francois-Henri Pinault released “Counterfeit Bacteria” on the world and started “Counterfeit Pandemic“, which spreads today as rapidly as coronavirus. Here and there I see “designers”, who present even in department stores their counterfeit production, some sort of hybrids.
I’m asking myself a question – is that some strange way of Kering to “outsmart” LVMH? Gucci belongs to the Group Kering, Luxury goods company. Louis Vuitton belongs to LVMH – another Luxury goods company. And back in the 90s Dapper Dan used mostly Louis Vuitton,  Gucci and Fendi logos, mixing and matching them up. It is known that Kering and LVMH for more than 50 years had a war for territory in the luxury market. So when in 2017 Gucci invested to re-opened an atelier in Harlem for Dapper Dan, invested to clean up his reputation, paid media (and specifically to one), made him sponsor of New York Fashion Week, there is a reason for that. Tailoring method, or as Dapper Dan calls it “designs”, which were used with Louis Vuitton logos today remade with the logos of Gucci. Is it another way, quiet pervert I might add, to take territory from LVMH? The perversity of it all, mind games if you like, would be this investment in Dapper Dan of François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kering, with desire to “outsmart” Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, and take the “territory” which is definitely outside of law, in the dark side, belonged to LVMH in the past. Although this mind game of Francois-Henri Pinault has a very dark outcome. He didn’t think about circumstances, how it’ll affect sociality, and what destructive results it could bring worldwide just 3 years after. Bringing Dapper Dan to the light side, paying the media to clean up his reputation, naming him “true genius”, made him sponsor of New York Fashion week, give him lifetime achievement award by CFDA in 2021 opened up a path to legitimize all illegal producers, counterfeit designers. And started “Counterfeit Pandemic”. 
In 2018 Vogue became promotion outlet for Dapper Dan, in 2019 Vogue invited as a guest of honor Dapper Dan to The Met Gala, invited stars to visit his atelier in Harlem. And in 2021 Pepsi who wanted to become a sponsor of New York Fashion Week Dapper Dan was imposed, so he can also be announced as a sponsor of New York Fashion Week. And the last – CFDA honored Dapper Dan with lifetime achievement award in 2021.

Chairman of CFDA Tom Ford celebrates Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dapper Dan CFDA Award 2021
Chairman of CFDA Tom Ford celebrates Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dapper Dan CFDA Award 2021

Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri, A$AP Ferg, Susan Chokachi celebrate CFDA Award 2021 of Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan
Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri, A$AP Ferg, Susan Chokachi celebrate CFDA Award 2021 of Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan

The shadowy business of counterfeits has taken over the globe to become a $1.2 trillion industry. Despite extensive and expensive efforts by brands, by law enforcement, efforts of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (“EUIPO”), this shadowy business became the center of the attention during this New York Fashion Week, and the most known designer / tailor of counterfeit illegal goods Dapper Dan was honored by lifetime achievement award for his counterfeit illegal goods production in 90s from its organizer CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America).
“We’re also incredibly pleased to see several talented names among the nominees for the first time. American fashion is experiencing a renewed energy, and the designers play a significant role in the future trajectory of our industry,” – said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb.
In parenthesis. Michael Kors at the beginning of 2021 proposed concept FENDACE, a collaboration between Fendi and Versace. Let’s say it is a very creative way against counterfeit pandemic. Fendi was the one who insisted in 1990s to put the end to counterfeit illegal activities of Dapper Dan, close his atelier, and strip him of all earnings.
Michael Kors didn’t approve the nomination of a counterfeit goods tailor Dapper Dan with lifetime achievement award, his sponsorship of New York Fashion Week. He predicted the “Counterfeit Pandemic” and decided to confront it in the most creative way – with the concept. Capri Holdings Limited, a multinational fashion holding company, founded and owned by American designer Michael Kors, since 2018 owns Versace – the most popular luxury brand, and the one being the most exposed to counterfeit.
Michael Kors proposed a concept to Donatella Versace and Fendi to create a mix-match collection and united their logos and styles. If public want to see Versace and Fendi logos in one luxury item, so let’s create it for them in one outfit and by these brands. This absolutely brilliant concept had a huge success during Milan Fashion Week this September. The collection Versace and Fendi got a name FENDACE. Donatella Versace leaded this project. Michael Kors even flew to Milan for the show.

Fendi Versace collaboration - Fendace - by RUNWAY MAGAZINE
Fendi Versace collaboration - Fendace - by RUNWAY MAGAZINE

Back to Celebration of counterfeit and illegal goods designer Dapper Dan with the Geoffrey Beene lifetime achievement award….
“This is an important moment in American fashion. There is much excitement about the return of New York City and New York Fashion Week as well as the top caliber of diverse talent making their mark on the city and the global fashion landscape. The CFDA Fashion Awards are our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we are looking forward to our industry coming together, in person again, to celebrate the very best of American creativity,” – said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb.
Nominations for each award category were submitted by the CFDA Fashion Awards Guild, comprised of members of the CFDA, and Vogue magazine.

Winners of CFDA Fashion Awards 2021

Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021
Counterfeit Illegal goods designer Dapper Dan Winner of lifetime achievement CFDA Award 2021

American Womenswear Designer of the Year Christopher John Rogers – CFDA Award 2021
American Womenswear Designer of the Year Christopher John Rogers – CFDA Award 2021

Drew Barrymore and Christian Siriano at CFDA Award 2021
Drew Barrymore and Christian Siriano at CFDA Award 2021

Emerging Designer Of The Year Edvin Thompson Of Theophilio – CFDA Award 2021
Emerging Designer Of The Year Edvin Thompson Of Theophilio – CFDA Award 2021

Founders Award of the Year Aurora James and Dame Anna Wintour – CFDA Award 2021
Founders Award of the Year Aurora James and Dame Anna Wintour – CFDA Award 2021

Inaugural Face of the Year Award Anya Taylor-Joy presented by Cara Delevingne – CFDA Award 2021
Inaugural Face of the Year Award Anya Taylor-Joy presented by Cara Delevingne – CFDA Award 2021

International Women’s Designer of the Year Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga, Kering Group – CFDA Award 2021
International Women’s Designer of the Year Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga, Kering Group – CFDA Award 2021

The Board of Directors Tribute honoree Yeohlee Teng, presented by Michael Kors – CFDA Award 2021
The Board of Directors Tribute honoree Yeohlee Teng, presented by Michael Kors – CFDA Award 2021

Zendaya, 2021 CFDA Fashion Icon, Iman and stylist Law Roach at CFDA Award 2021
Zendaya, 2021 CFDA Fashion Icon, Iman and stylist Law Roach at CFDA Award 2021