Best Dressed at the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards

One of fashion's biggest moments is the CFDA Fashion Awards. For those of you that don't know, CFDA stands for the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. It's a not-for-profit trade association, which was created to raise funds for charity and industry activities. Their membership consists of more than 400 of America's top-leading and most influential womenswear, menswear, jewelry and accessory designers.  CFDA membership is by invitation only.

 Marc Jacobs, Mansur Gavriel and Beyoncé were the big winners at the CFDA Fashion Awards at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC on Monday, June 6. Beyoncé took home the Fashion Icon Award at the CFDA Fashion Awards, in a pantsuit and wide-brimmed hat by Givenchy Couture with $9 million of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, and Christian Louboutin heels. I thought Beyoncé looked beautiful, per usual, but I do have to admit that this was personally not my absolute favorite outfit at this fashion event. However, it was still one of the top looks of the night. She nailed it with that Givenchy hat that went perfectly with her whole ensemble.

Keep scrolling to see my recap of the best looks of the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards night!

Ciara's glow up has been so real. She channeled the blushing bride-to-be in a pretty Roberto Cavalli ruffled dress and belt.

Emily Ratajkowsi in a black silk dress by Jason Wu and jewelry by Atelier Swarovski. 

Karlie Kloss in a white midi Rosie Assoulin dress with an ab cutout, paired with Atelier Swarovski earrings and a ring and Stuart Weitzman sandals. 

Designer Georgina Chapman in her own Marchesa dress. 

I actually got to talk with Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig (Co-founders of Marchesa) just a couple of days after I posted my "Best of the 2016 Met Gala" post. They were both so sweet and so down to earth.

Mary-Kate, Elizabeth and Ashley Olsen in coordinating black dresses.

The Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley (my favorite gals) were nominated for the Woman Designer of the Year award for The Row. 

Naomi Campbell, the fashion diva herself, in custom Brandon Maxwell. 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley who's also a Michael Kors girl, was in a custom mint beaded georgette godet gown. She looks stunning in absolutely everything she wears.

Jourdan Dunn in Jonathan Simkhai Pre-Spring 2017 and Eva Fehren jewelry.

Jodie Snyder Morel, Sofia Sanchez de Betak, and Danielle Morel looking fabulous. 

Both Jodie and Danielle are jewelry designers that have been featured in Inc Magazine’s 30 Under 30: America’s Coolest Entrepreneurs List, The New York Times, WSJ, and are also members of the CFDA.

Jennifer Hudson looks amazing in this Bardot-style Kaufmanfranco jumpsuit consisting of nearly 2 million Swarovski crystals, paired with Kurt Geiger London heels. She wore this while she paid a birthday tribute to Prince at the CFDA Awards. Prince would have turned 58 today!

Jennifer Hudson's dress for the evening was a strapless red and black Prabal Gurung gown.

Jessica Hart looking chic in this 3 piece silk ensemble and Alexandre Birman heels. I absolutely love this look from head to toe.

Joan Smalls in Eddie Borgo jewels and Givenchy Haute Couture dress. I love that she experimented  with this black bobbed wig that went perfect with a bold red lip.

Anna Cleveland looking sophisticated in a low neck jumpsuit and a chic white tie wrapped around her neck.

Irinia Shayk and Misha Nonoo in Misha Nonoo.

I love that Vera Wang didn't need an actress or super model to wear her designs, she slayed her own dress. That's goals.

Sophie Kennedy Clark and Christopher Peters nailed the modern look.

Sophie in Creatures of the Wind F/W 16 suit and blouse. I had a lot of respect for both of their looks. They really look like they resemble their lifestyle, which is what fashion is truly about. Not everyone is into the gowns and sparkly dresses, some of us like a nice jacket and pant!

Josephine Skriver in custom Sachin & Babi and Stuart Weitzman heels. So many of the CFDA guest were rocking Stuart Weitzman and we obviously understand why!

Designer Rachel Zoe in her own dress of course.

2016 CFDA Awards Winners:

Fashion Icon Award: Beyoncé

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Marc Jacobs

Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Brandon Maxwell

Swarovski Award for Menswear: Orley—Alex Orley, Matthew Orley, Samantha Orley

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Paul Andrew

Menswear Designer of the Year: Thom Browne

Accessories Designer of the Year: Mansur Gavriel—Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Norma Kamali

The Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert: Donna Karan

International Award: Gucci—Alessandro Michele

The Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award: David Bowie

The Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard: Imran Amed, editor in chief of The Business of Fashion

There is so much controversy on Twitter and Instagram about this years winners and nominees. What are your thoughts about the CFDA Fashion Awards and who wore your favorite look? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Red, White, and California Blues

Happy Memorial Day! I'm feeling so thankful for my big brother and everyone who is or has bravely served for our country! I'm sending love and prayers to all the families who have lost their loved ones. They are not forgotten, but forever in our hearts.

Take me back, back to Cali, Cali.

 I don't think I'll ever get tired of visiting L.A., especially because I finally got some sun! I love when my skin gets darker in the summer. I feel like my clothes pop better when my skin has a glow. Lately it's been raining so much here in Dallas, so I'm ready to go back to sunshine and this gloomy weather to be over already!

For this summer look I have paired a chambray bustier top with a cream crochet midi skirt. I enjoy playing with different textures, particularly chambray, not only is it light and comfortable, but it also is perfect for maintaing a relaxed denim look. Since this top had a low neck line, I wore my favorite big boho necklace. I wear this silver neck piece with so much, it goes with just about everything. I love that I can go from day to night in this outfit by simply changing my shoes to something more casual. Although I personally would prefer to wear this in the evening over the day. 

Can I just express how happy I am that I finally got some sun! I love when my skin gets darker in the summer. I feel like my clothes pop better when my skin has a glow. It's been raining so much in Dallas lately. I'm ready to go back to sunshine, and for this gloomy weather to be over already!

Photos by - Khris Garay

Monochromatic Look: Boxy Tee and Culottes

Culottes are back this spring! 

I like to embrace this pant shape in a clean monochromatic look. I went with all black of course, and paired these pleated wide leg trousers with a boxy crop top tee, and wore my favorite lace up heels.

Culottes can be tricky because of its length and silhouette, but this pair hit my leg at the right spot for my height. If you're worried about how you will look in this trend, start with a solid color culotte like black or white because it'll appear more sleek and high fashion. This is the perfect modern outfit that is both comfortable and chic. You can go to work and then straight to dinner with this contemporary ensemble. 

Fun Fact: Spring 1927 culottes had found its place in the wardrobe of active, fashion conscious women. This silhouette has been around long before but it was trending like crazy in the 30s, and it also made a comeback in the 60s.

FEATURED ITEMS

Shirt - Top Shop

Culottes - Zara  (get a similar pair at H&M)

Shoes - Zara

Photos by Lynnet Perez

Best of the 2016 Met Gala

The 2016 Met Gala is all about fashion! I always expect to see new fabulous and crazy designs on the  red carpet.  With this year's theme- Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, I was exceptionally excited because I'm interested in working with technology in my designs. I found a few looks that I absolutely adored, and some that I thought was boring, especially for a costume benefit at an art museum. I was impressed with a few of the guests who stayed true to the night's theme. 

Game over, Claire Danes won best dressed! She graced the red carpet in this pale blue princess gown by Zac Posen, that actually lit up with fiber optics. This is hands down the best of the 2016 Met Gala, not only is this dress stunning on Danes, but it perfectly embodies the theme of the night: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. I'm so pleased with Zac Posen for designing this dress, this is exactly what I wanted to see at the Met.

Karolina Kurkova in this phenomenal Marchesa dress, designed by Georgina Chapman. This beautiful gown will react to your emotions by lighting up! I love that Chapman included IBM technology in her design for the Met. This is also one of my favorites for obvious reasons, and because I got to meet and talk fashion with the Marchesa team, as well as the designers, Karen and Georgina Chapman. Everyone was knowledgable and so sweet!

Edris Ilba in Tom Ford won best dressed in menswear in my book! Sometimes the men suits all look the same, but Edris looks so clean and modern.

 Blake Lively in Burberry.

 Poppy Delevingne in a Marchesa dress and Oroton bag.

Zoe Saldana in Dolce & Gabbana.

Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace.

 Ciara wasn’t rocking Givenchy or Versace. No, she was wearing a custom gown made by good ‘ol H&M and she looks stunning. I love that she honored the night's theme, Manus x Machina and wore this silver wig with her look.

The Olsen twins in their signature monotone draped ensembles, accessorized with Fred Leighton jewelry. I love that they always stay true to their style so they're always on my "Top Looks" list.

The Weeknd and Bella Hadid matching in all black.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley kept it sleek in Ralph Lauren Collection.

Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger and Zayn Malik in Versace. Malik's sleeves is the reason this couple's ensemble looks so amazing. His stylist did a great job matching his date.

Beyonce in Givenchy.

 I included Beyonce to this list mainly because this was a lot of people's favorite. She looks beautiful in this latex dress, but I wanted to expect more from her. I wish she would have been more original and shut the met gala down; especially after getting all the buzz from her latest album, 'Lemonade'. 

Anna Wintour, host of the 2016 Met Gala, of course in an ornate white Chanel Haute Couture dress with fringe.

The  Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art May 2, 2016 

Leave a comment and let us know your favorite Met Gala look!