Fashion, Music Remain in Vogue

The red carpet and all that it represents are alive and well.

The glamfest that took place at the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards show, taped Friday in New York for broadcast tonight at 9 on VH1, proved that the American music and fashion industries aren’t about to roll up the crimson carpet in the wake of terrorist attacks on the nation. No, Macy Gray and Gwen Stefani and Lil’ Kim are still gonna strut their stuff and show the world that a good song and a wild outfit can restore the soul. Or at least make for an entertaining evening.

Unlike other awards shows that stick to an etched-in-stone set of awards, this year the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards creatively changed the award names to fit the winners, most of whom were chosen by a panel of experts. When Best Dressed Television Show popped up as a new category this year, it’s no surprise that “Sex and the City” took home the prize. Three guesses who was going to win Rebel Designer? None other than the man who has turned Christian Dior inside out, John Galliano.

A few new categories weren’t so easy to guess, including the Red Carpet Award, which went to Renee Zellweger (bet Julia Roberts is mad), and the Newcomer Award, which Josh Hartnett took home.

Oddly, the few categories that remained from years past offered the most suspense. The field for Model of the Year was wide open, though it went to English mannequin Stella Tennant. Same with the Designer of the Year, which was snagged by Marc Jacobs, and Visionary Video, which went to Stefani and Moby for “Southside.”

Just a handful of personalities manage to seamlessly mix music and fashion, including last year’s Designer of the Year Stella McCartney, daughter of the favorite Beatle. And some manage to keep reaping awards, such as consistent winner Stefani, who is emerging as the hot girl of fashionable music. This year, she also took home a new Rock Style award. She even showed up in an outfit of her own design, complete with the trendy new trinket belt.

Maybe the red carpet is a tad bit exhibitionistic, but it serves a greater good. It gives us permission to point and stare--at least in the privacy of our living rooms.