Awards cite the fittest in fashion

The Council of Fashion Designers of America again named Narciso Rodriguez, a red carpet favorite of Sarah Jessica Parker and Salma Hayek, as the country’s best womenswear designer.

Rodriguez, known for sleek, form-fitting gowns, won for the second year in a row. Parker and Calvin Klein, Rodriguez’s mentor, handed out the award at Monday night’s annual council gala in New York.

When Adrien Brody presented Michael Kors with the menswear design award, the Oscar-winner quipped, “Security was tight. They checked my label at the door.” Actress Marisa Tomei escorted the two young designers of Proenza Schouler, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, who received the Swarovski Perry Ellis award as the top newcomers in ready-to-wear.

Other winners selected by more than 450 fashion designers, press, retailers and stylists included Marc Jacobs, for his Marc line of accessories, and shoe designer Brian Atwood. Oleg Cassini, who is most famous for dressing Jacqueline Kennedy during her White House years, received a special tribute, and Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour was honored for her lifetime contribution to fashion and fashion-industry charities.