Congrats on the move! Any news on the progress?

Architects are measuring the space, and we’ll be seeing the first round of designs next week. We’ll decide on the final design by end of the month. It will be built by Spring.

How do you plan on continuing to promote the Garment Center even though you’ve moving away from it?

We have the CFDA Incubator program there in the Garment Center. We have 6 designers graduating this spring, and we’re helping them all to find studio space there. We’re seeding the neighborhood. We’ve got 10 more designers we’re helping find space there. We are also conducting a study with the Made in Midtown Design Trust for Public Space to see how we can use the Garment Center better.

And CFDA prospectives on your horizon? What new designers have you excited this season?

I can’t name any. I like every show, I just like going to the shows. I love the collective energy of talented designers and creative people. Fashion Week is one big giant long runway!

What’s the first thing you’re going to do once the giant runway of Fashion Week has come to a close?

I’m going to my house in Pennsylvania to relax.

And relax you should. You deserve it. Enjoy!

Though only a relative handful of designs were chosen for the exhibit, Impact represents nearly every major American designer of the past 50 years — from Pauline Trigère to Diane von Furstenberg, Halston to Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren to Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta to Thom Browne and Donna Karan to Rodarte.

“For someone like me who wasn’t born in America, Impact almost sounds like a 1950s American car,” explained CFDA pres DVF on a walkthrough of the exhibit yesterday. “That’s what America is about. It’s about precise fashion, and not fashion for the sake of fashion. It combines fashion and street, and fashion and life.”

400 active members of the CFDA were asked to choose one look that best represented them or made the most impact on their careers, while museum curators Patricia Mears and Fred Dennis chose for the dearly departed. Work of members whose pieces were not chosen for the installation are displayed in evening vignettes and video projections.

“Not all the CFDA members could be included on the gallery floor,” CFDA CEO Steven Kolb told WWD, “so we created an interactive directory of all members presented on 10 iPad stations throughout the exhibit.”

There’s also a media room where visitors can use iPads to scroll through a timeline of CFDA history and key moments in American fashion. And not ones to be left behind on the social media front, there’s even a hashtag for the Twitter-inclined — #impactcfda.

“We didn’t know what designers would send, so every day felt like birthday with a surprise,” Mears said. “In some cases, we got things that were very clear. When you see the Diane von Furstenberg [wrap] dress, you know it’s hers. When you see the Ralph Lauren [Americana] ensemble, you know it’s Ralph.”

And sometimes, things weren’t so clear. For instance, Marc Jacobs initially wanted a look from his then-controversial but now-iconic 1993 gunge collection for Perry Ellis, but since he didn’t own any of it Anna Sui donated a dress from her private collection.

“For me, the great difficulty with American fashion is that we are so diverse,” Mears continued. “You have the most flamboyant ballgowns and the most wearable and accessible garments. Everything speaks to the product coming out of what I call the American machine — the design machine, the manufacturing machine, the retailing machine, the marketing machine. All of it is part of American fashion over the last 50 years, and I hope that diversity is reflected here.”

Impact: 50 Years of the CFDA will run from February 10 through April 17 and will definitely be a must-see during Fashion Week. [WWD, sub req'd]

First things first, let’s talk about what DVF was wearing. According to WWD, von Furstenberg “swooped into the courtroom wearing gold-rimmed aviators and a long black sparkly knit sweater over an off-white turtleneck and black skirt.” Legal. Ease.

Anyhoo, back in August, Judge Victor Marrero, a Manhattan Southern District judge, denied Louboutin a preliminary injunction that would have stopped YSL from selling its monochromatic red pump from its 2011 resort collection, and further questioned the validity of Louboutin’s trademarked red sole. Marrero ruled that no designer could have a monopoly on any one color.

Louboutin’s lawyer — who also happens to be DVF’s lawyer — Harley Lewin claimed that Marrero misjudged the case by assuming Louboutin meant every shade of red and not the Chinese red he had trademarked in 2008. YSL’s lawyer, a David Bernstein, argued that YSL’s monochromatic pumps are integral to the brand’s DNA, adding, “We don’t want to find out we can’t make red shoes.”

While the judges openly criticized Marrero’s opinion and the findings on which it was based, there’s no guarantee they’ll overturn his verdict. If they do, however, it’s back to court for both parties. I’m hoping for another trial if only for another DVF cameo. What will she wear?! Perhaps a YSL le smoking and a Louboutin strapless…you know, for kicks. [WWD]

Ramsey Boat Neck Sequin Dress,$550, alice + olivia

Didier Grumbach / Photo: The Crowd Blog

“I don’t understand why Paris completely and totally just ignored what all of us have worked so hard on,” DVF said. “I am speechless. I just e-mailed [Chambre Syndicale president Didier Grumbach] and said that I was completely in shock.”

Grumbach, for his part, plans on sending a letter explaining his position to von Furstenberg, but for the Chambre, the decision came down to a matter of deadlines. “It was perfectly open and clear and very obvious that our members could not accept this…” Grumbach explained, referring to the previous back and forth between everyone.

“We fall at the end of the calendar, ” he continued. “All of the member houses agreed that this would make them very late in taking orders, which in turn would be penalizing for deliveries. It’s an industrial reason: you are a manufacturer, you need your orders early…Who wants to be penalized? It doesn’t make sense. We have had lots of meetings about pushing Paris show dates earlier as many brands really want that.”

In a board meeting presided over by Hermès deputy managing director Guillaume de Seynes, members voted unanimously to keep  their show dates, thus flying in the face of the proposed second Thursday rule.  For 2013, Paris will show from February 26 (a Tuesday) to March 6 and then from September 24 (also a Tuesday) to October 2; the dates for 2014 are (Tuesday) February 25  to March 5 and (Tuesday) September 23 to October 1.

And in a case of that playground staple monkey see-monkey do, Milan’s Camera Nazionale della Moda president Mario Boselli proclaimed: “We were going to move if Paris was also moving. As Paris is not moving, we won’t either.” He then stuck out his tongue, stole the CFDA’s lunch money and pushed London’s British Fashion Council off the swings.

So what does this all mean? Well, according to Boselli, in order to avoid any show schedule overlap New York and the CFDA are going to have to swallow their pride: “Perhaps the only way out would be for the Americans to reduce their fashion week to seven days, as nine days is too long, and start a couple of days after Labor Day.”

Now that Paris won’t change its schedule, neither will Milan, leaving London and New York on the other side of the aisle — and I wouldn’t be surprised if one side casually slipped out a stilettoed heel to “accidentally” trip the other on the march towards compromise. [WWD]

The Fashion for Action sale is going on at The Altman Building 135 West 18th Street, (between 6th and 7th avenues) from November 17-19th.

Photos from Style.com

The Soldier Jacket: Dasgupta, $695

Since I’d heard of Aparna Dasgupta’s cared for tailoring and distinct aesthetic of feminine masculinity, I was delighted to find this particular piece in AvaMaria. It juxtaposes the sergeant closure with the princess cut and pleat-like flaps from the hip. It begs for a feminine shape to flesh it out.

The Catty Dress: Diane von Furstenberg, $168

Diane, known for wrap dresses and dresses and dresses, I fittingly found a DVF dress that accentuated the strong-woman look of the jacket. The leopard print is stealthily spicy beneath the military cut. It’s peeking out atop the collar, so it’s clear that it’s a dress.

The Leopard Heels: Hollywould, $220

Leopard on Leopard? In the words of photographer Christopher Hall, “I won’t shoot this if you don’t wear the leopard shoes.” It’s tricky out there with cat on cat, but the trick is to keep them different enough so they don’t look dyed to match. Like the maroon shoes might’ve.

AvaMaria | 107 Crosby Street, New York, NY 212.966.0909

Photography by Christopher Hall

- Between music, magazine writing and maybe now an acting gig, Gaga still has time for gay rights activism, as she demonstrated in the 41st installment of Gagavision. Pulling up in the stretch to her concert venue — 3000 monsters in waiting — she encounters a religious nut who gives her a “Get Out of Hell Free” card, to which Gags later asks, “If it was so easy to get out of hell, why don’t we just print up a bunch of these guys?” Duh, cause they have to be printed on Jesus paper. [Styleite]

- Everyone told Diane Von Furstenberg that après-ski-accident was the perfect time for a facelift, but DVF would hear nothing of the sort: “Any doubts I had about not having anything done evaporated, because all I wanted was to get my old face back. I don’t want to be anyone else . . . All these women with fake breasts and cosmetic surgery — all that just objectifies us again.” DVF is woman, hear her roar. [Fashionologie]

- Well, if this isn’t the worst idea for a reality show ever, slap my poof and call me Snooki. Someone fell face first into an eightball of cocaine, borrowed their dad’s camcorder and spent a weekend crawling through the Lower East Side filming this preview for The Scene…L.E.S. about a group of struggling singer-songwriters. If you can get past the awful soundtrack, you’ll probably fall asleep before the homeless guy asks you for a cheeseburger. Just like Saturday nights on the subway. [Gothamist]

- Supermodel of the world, Naomi Campbell says she will model until she’s no longer wanted, meaning she’ll be modeling forever, as per her deal with the devil. [Evening Standard]

LINK LOVE: Fashion Gone Rogue

I’m referring to Kate Hudson‘s first and only acting role, as Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe‘s Almost Famous. That was the kind of girl the vintage-inspired clothing line paraded down its runway; a free spirit not afraid of a giant fur or a little sexy.

WGACA’s girl might have also been a regular at 54 — the first look, a leopard print jumpsuit, was born to move under strobe lights. This “Raquel jumpsuit,” named no doubt after 70s bombshell Raquel Welch, was paired with a pair of platform stripper heels — as were the majority of women’s looks, leading to at least one misstep on the Soho Hotel‘s carpeted, and rather cramped, runway.

While the ladies veered between hippie chic and DVF glitz, WGACA’s gents were a little more down to earth. Shearling jackets, vintage denim and billowy blouses kept things loose while a pair of fur clogs had my name and probably a few of my friends’ names all over them.

From the first look to the last — a (Faye) Dunaway dress with a flowing cape — What Goes Around Comes Around presented a wearable, covetable collection that proves once again that the 70s are alive and kicking. And in a 5-inch platform no less.

1.    Stone Double Storm Flap Trench Coat – a stylish disguise for secret trips to the Carlyle ($180 topshop.com)

2.    Kiki de Montparnasse Leather Whip – a little something to spice up your romance, soooo not something your wife is into ($150 kikidm.com)

3.    Room service – pamper your lover instead of Wham, Bam, Thank You Maaming her. Order some pancakes for breakfast

4.    Max and Chloe Lapis Teardrop Earrings – every girl needs some bling ($790 maxandchloe.com)

5.    Private Island – no more sneaking around if you buy an island where no one can find you (firstluxe.com)

6.    Agent Provocateur Harri Silk-Satin Plunge Corset – something sexy for under the trench coat ($850 net-a-porter.com)

7.   Diane von Furstenberg Purple Sunglasses – help to hide her identity and protect your neck in a super fab fashion ($185 matchesfashion.com)

“We have the clothes and shoes and the bags so we’re ready.  But it won’t just be my stuff…there’ll be things I love that I find on my travels,” she explained.  “It’s very exciting for me because I get to be a buyer now!”

Based on the widespread popularity of her bags we’d peg her for the Soho or West Village type, but like pointed out last night, she likes to do things differently.  (She used to go on the Purse Forum years ago, before blogs were a blip on anyone’s radar, and interact with her customers.)  So we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled in the East Village, or even Brooklyn.

(Via: Elle Magazine)

Are you ready for 12 Days of DVF?

Diane von Furstenburg is giving our readers a chance to win a $2000 shopping spree at DVF. To enter, head over to the DVF Facebook page and sign up for their email newsletter. You’ll be automatically entered to win. The sweepstakes runs from November 17th – November 29th.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for all the women in your life? DVF has an amazing selection of accessories and fashion staples like wrap dresses and handbags that are perfect for the most fashionable people on your gift list.

DVF has always been a fan favorite at FashionIndie.com. Her looks define trends and the DVF girl is both sophisticated and ready for anything the world throws at her. Be sure to follow DVF on Facebook to receive special offers and access to insider info only available to her fans.

If you need to “umph” your day a couple levels click LOOKBOOKS to view the rest of these amaze masks.

“As of right now it doesn’t really look like we’re doing it anymore,” said the 25-year-old fashion designer. When asked if it could possibly move from MTV to another network, Port said, “No, at this point it’s not.”

I love the city- just not MTV’s The City… it was definitely a whole season of my life I will never get back.. might be a bit on the dramatic side but what do you expect- you know it makes your gossip way more exciting… at least everyone is far more fond of Kelly Cutrone and DVF now?!….

Plus it must be said that the true fashionista on this show was my favorite Olivia Palermo and her Blair Waldorf inspired style!.. who cares if everyone was a bit on the negative side about her office skills who needs them when you have killer outfits.

Who knows maybe The City is canceled because Olivia is getting her own show… hey, it could happen!

Anna Wintour- Editor in Chief of Vogue, and the star of The September Issue and probably safe to say everything else in fashion.

Diane Von Furstenburg- CFDA Chairwoman and designer of one other best collection

Peter Levy -IMG Fashion World Wide

Lady Gaga- I mean does she really need a description? Even if I tried I don’t think one sentence would be enough.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen- We all grew up with them or watching them, a normal childhood was never in their life plan. An obnoxious amount of movies, hot foreign boys, killer style,  Elizabeth & James, NYU, and The Row, not to mention they’re just pure awesomeness.

Marc Jacobs- Definitely top 10 American designers, innovative, out of the box, we all love him, especially on the BANG bottle.

Tim Gunn- We can all stand around all day and wait for his very honest opinions and everything in between.

Karl Lagerfeld- Not just a character, somewhat of that Andy Warhol awkwardness perhaps, but all around cryptic genius.

Oscar De La Renta- “ready to wear” guru.

Carolina Herrera- Not just a Wintour approved favorite, but one of the best lines to capture any woman’s sweet spot.

Alber Elbaz- Lanvin genius!

Naomi Watts wore the DVF Vanner dress from the FW10 collection at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday May 15^th, 2010 in Cannes, France.  Loving the colors, the pattern, and the yellow shoes are a perfect compliment.

Anna Wintour is auctioning off a week at Vogue to benefit the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. Tailored to the individual interests and skill set of the auction winner, the week at Vogue will be as fascinating as it is informative, with the opportunity to meet Anna Wintour herself. As part of this experience, the winner of this dream package will also get to attend a fashion show during New York Fashion Week.

Also included in this package: The September Issue DVD; In Vogue; Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People; The World in Vogue: People, Parties, Places; The Teen Vogue Handbook . To bid now, click here.

Fashion icon Diane Von Furstenburg is also supporting the cause by auctioning off a month-long internship at DVF, and Gwen Stefani is auctioning tickets to a NYC L.A.M.B Fashion Preview this fall. Tim Gunn has joined them to auction off the chance to have lunch with him at Bryant Park Grill.

DVF created this case to celebrate the launch of her iPhone application. $20 available at dvf.com.

LINK LOVE: NY Mag

Elisa Palomino used to design for Moschino Cheap and Chic, she also worked for John Galliano, Dior, Cavalli and DVF, before she decided to launch her own label. She presented her debut collection yesterday, the decor was so beautiful and a live band was performing for the show

I loved this collection, the pink color omnipresence made me think of the movie ”Marie-Antoinette” by Sofia Coppola, the crazy haird and make-up was AMAZING. This debut floral inspired collection was quite impressive.

DVF was on The View today, sucks we missed it, but he’s a recap video (sorry for the bad quality).

DVF plans on launching her first line of home decorations next year, this will include bedding, bath, tabletop, and other decorative items. I’m imagining tons of brightly colored prints.

LINK LOVE: NY Mag

Don’t forget Gilt Fuse, today’s sales include: Mason by Michelle Mason, Butter and Blotch, Splendid, and Invicta Watches. Click here to join.

I know with the weather the way it’s been this past week it’s a bit hard to think about sunglasses, but these new pieces from Nathan Jenden can’t be ignored. The DVF creative director created a collection inspired by “bows” that is sure to catch every one’s attention.

Find more photos like this on ENVY

For more on Nathan Jenden be sure to check out his website -> CLICK HERE

Something about giant balls on top of my head really does it for me…just like the DVF hat!

Image via Just Jared

I usually love Tracy Reese, I own about 6 of her dresses, but this season was a bit disappointing. As usual, Tracy showed tons of prints, but in terms of innovations in cut or fabric or drape, I saw none. I was almost as thought this collection came at the last minute, the above look seems thrown together backstage, and reminds me of an attempt to be DVF.

Any thoughts?

Thanks Jezebel

We hear reports that the Diane von Furstenberg sample sale has been even further discounted today.

The price list: “Dresses $100, jackets $100, coats $250, sweaters $60, samples $30, pants $60, tees $30, blouses $60, tanks $15, bathing suits $40, and coverups still $100.” Also, word is there is currently no line to enter, and a minimal wait for the fitting room.

SOURCE: Racked

The 37th Annual Lighthouse International sale starts a week from today and will feature designers like Jason Wu, Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, DVF, Hermes, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Prada, YSL, Zac Posen, and others who donated to the sale. There’s a Chanel tweed jacket for $150, a wool Stella coat for $350, a $300 Marchesa gown and even a Dior wedding dress.

There are samples, vintage and slightly worn pieces from more recent runways – including Kim Cattrall’s green Jimmy Choos or her gold Valentino’s (above).

The sale takes place at 110 East 60th Street between Park and Lex from Thursday, May 14 to Saturday, May 16, 11am to 7pm and Sunday May 17th from 11am to 5pm. A one day pass is only $10, four days is $30 and you can buy tickets here.

LINKAGE: Fashionista

With the Hamptons season almost here, seems like all designers are trying to get their piece of the pie, DVF will open a store (May 1st) , and Carmen Marc Valvo has designed a line of plates, to be sold exclusively for QVC.

According to WWD, the designer has developed Carmen Marc Valvo Home, tableware, serving pieces and decorative items. Entering the category is a first for Valvo, who said he entertains frequently in the Hamptons and “really gets obsessive about the food, flowers and matching the napkins to the plates.”