Saluting Those Masters of Couture

Fashion designers, new talent and style icons Cher and Sophia Loren were honored Wednesday night in New York City at the 18th annual American Fashion Awards, given by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

More than 1,000 guests attended the gala that was taped for broadcast on E! Entertainment Television. The show will air June 13 from 9 to 11 p.m.

The coveted Perry Ellis Award for new fashion talent, established in 1986 and named for the designer, went to Josh Patner and Bryan Bradley for the women’s line Tuleh; for menswear, the award went to Matt Nye; and for accessories, to Tony Valentine.

The 1999 American Fashion Award winners included: Michael Kors, women’s wear designer of the year; Calvin Klein, menswear; and Marc Jacobs for accessories.

Also honored were Yohji Yamamoto with the International Award; Yves Saint Laurent, Lifetime Achievement Award; and Elsa Klensch, host of CNN’s “Style” show, with the Eugenia Sheppard Award.

Receiving special awards were Betsey Johnson “for her timeless talent,” Simon Doonan “for his window on fashion,” Sophia Loren “for a lifetime of glamour,” and Cher “for her influence on fashion.”

InStyle magazine was recognized with an award “for putting the spotlight on Hollywood and fashion.” And Liz Tilberis, the late editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, was honored with the council’s Humanitarian Award.

Since 1981, the council has recognized the best of the fashion industry at its annual gala, presented this year by General Motors.

The council is a nonprofit trade association made up of more than 200 of the country’s top fashion and accessory designers.