2006: CFDA AWARDS

[funky music]

It s a good excuse to dress up.

[upbeat pop music]

This is the night that we really get to celebrate

all the talent and all the hard work,

and I know all the women who wear the clothes.

And it s just a fun night too, I always have a great time.

The CFDA is really the family of American designers.

And tonight is our family gathering,

and that s when the night that we give one another awards.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America

does a lot for young designers,

and that s kind of what I believe is really good about it.

It s very much a family friendly event

and we all know each other,

and its a great time to network and say hello,

and recognize the stars of the year before.

There are so many things that people don t see.

They see the final product, the clothes.

They see the runway presentation,

they don t see the hours that, you know

the designers and the teams are slaving.

And so this is a night that we slow everything down,

and we pay homage and respect to our fellow designers.

So, its an incredible night.

It s a little bit overwhelming.

Are you overwhelmed? A bit scary!

[upbeat pop music]

When I was a kid, it was called the Coty Awards,

so growing up it was the kind of thing,

if you were a fashion designer,

or you aspired to be a fashion designer,

that one day you would hope that you could have.

I m deeply touched by the honor,

because it means that a lifetime achievement

are recognized in my work for 26 years,

so that s great.

[upbeat pop music]

And the Women s Wear

Designer of the Year Award goes to,

Yay, it s gonna be a fun night

Francisco Costa from Calvin Klein.

[laughing and cheering]

First of all, getting that kind of a tribute

from the people, and from Lana, is amazing.

It means you really earned it.

Which is what I did, man, you gotta earn it.

New York, it really is the fashion capital of the world.

Other cities don t like to hear it

and we shouldn t be bragging, but it s true.

[funky music]