Fashion industry pats its back

The fashion industry feted itself Monday night in New York, when the Council of Fashion Designers of America hosted its annual awards show. Sean Combs of Sean John was named Menswear Designer of the Year, beating more traditional 7th Avenue names Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors, and Zac Posen, the Young Turk whose label Combs invested heavily in last month, nabbed the Perry Ellis Award for Ready to Wear.

The Womenswear Designer of the Year Award went to Carolina Herrera and the Accessory Designer Award to Reed Krakoff, who has helped to engineer Coach’s phenomenal growth.

Sarah Jessica Parker received a Fashion Icon Award from the nonprofit trade association. “Fashion is my fatal flaw. It’s my weakness,” she said. “Sometimes you see something you want and you can’t have it, but in my case...” She trailed off to laughter from the crowd. Donna Karan received a Lifetime Achievement Award and Miuccia Prada an International Award.