CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award winner Greg Chait

Greg Chait, label founder, of The Elder Statesmen line of high end cashmere, won the 9th annual Vogue / CFDA Fashion Fun Awarde. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 21, 2012 3:45 PM PT

When Greg Chait won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award in New York City last month, the man behind the Elder Statesman line of ultra-luxury cashmere knits ¿ think $5,525 blankets, $1,890 belted cardigan sweaters and $380 ski caps -- was practically unknown outside of the fashion industry. And he was only slightly better known within it.

From left, actress Emma Stone, designer Greg Chait and Burberry CCO Christopher Bailey attend The Ninth Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards. (Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images; Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images)

Greg Chait of the Elder Statesman and model walk the runway at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund event. (Donato Sardella / WireImage)

A model wearing The Elder Statesman walks the runway at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund event. (Donato Sardella / WireImage)