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]

Color Palette: Neutrals, salmon, brown, yellow, cobalt

Mood: The bachelor businessman goes on vacation.

Statement Pieces: a parade of models in trunks closing the show

Front Row Name Drops: Joe Manganiello, Jonathan Cheban, Nigel Barker and Kelly Bensimon

Gossip: Jonathan Cheban said he was only attending the Perry Ellis and Betsey Johnson shows for fashion week.

Runway Music:  Fleet Foxes Grown Ocean, My Morning Jacket Circuital

1. Madonna – Blond Ambition Tour (1990)

Always lauded, and at times harshly criticized, for her chameleon-like reinventions, she is nevertheless the artist who most brilliantly illustrates — and has done the most to encourage — the symbiotic relationship between music and fashion. Madge reached her sartorial high point during her wildly successful Blond Ambition Tour, featuring costumes by Jean Paul Gaultier who designed the now legendary cone bra.

2. Michael Jackson – “Beat It” music video (1983)

Perhaps the most iconic single article of clothing in pop music history, MJ’s red leather jacket was a cultural watershed moment because it became almost synonymous with Thriller, i.e. the biggest album of all time. The ankle-baring trousers — a nod to Fred Astaire – white socks and black shoes were also trademarks of the 80s and still loom large over the singer’s incredible legacy.

3. The Beatles - The  Ed Sullivan Show (1964)

When the Beatles invaded America, they brought along with them enduring and generation-defining trends such as the Beatle boot, collarless suits and the mop top — not to mention hysteria the likes of which Justin Bieber could only dream.

4. David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust Tour (1973-74)

Without Ziggy, Elton John would never have discovered his love of feathered headdresses, LaBelle wouldn’t have strutted around New Orleans in their silver lamé and simply put, there would be no Lady Gaga. A high-concept album with a high-concept look, David Bowie introduced androgyny to the pop culture masses, and decades later his seminal faux rocker is still a fashion favorite.

5. Diana Ross and the Supremes – “Come See About Me” on The Ed Sullivan Show (1964)

Three black girls from Detroit became the epitome of style, grace, beauty and glamor in the midst of social upheaval and racial injustice. Oprah said it best (as she does with everything): it was life-changing.

6. Ramones – Ramones (1976)

While the Beatles inspired bands to dress up, the Ramones’ relaxed, almost comalike coolness influenced other bands to keep it simple — years later their pared down style still feels like quintessential New York. Especially with all the hipsters dragging their Converses, skinny jeans and leather jackets around.

7. George Michael – “Freedom! ’90″ video (1990)

George Michael’s identity crisis led to the zenith of the supermodel explosion. Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Tatjana Patitz took the place of the singer — reluctant to appear in his own video — and  lip-synched their way to iconic status in the clip directed by future friend of Facebook, David Fincher.

8. Nirvana -  “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video (1991)

Marc Jacobs‘ landmark Grunge collection for Perry Ellis in 1992 may have led to his dismissal, but it also cemented the enormous cultural impact Kurt Cobain and Nirvana had inadvertently etched out for themselves thanks to the success of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Till this day the sight of plaid inspires those famous first notes and the image of zombie cheerleaders dancing through my head.

9. Run-D.M.C. – “My Adidas” (1986)

Hip hop has long been obsessed with fashion and material goods, but we wouldn’t have Kanye “The Louis Vuitton Don” West rapping about haute couture if we didn’t have Run D.M.C. extolling the virtues of their shell tops.

10. Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance” music video (2010)

Gaga went from popstar to phenomenon on the heels of her Alexander McQueen armadillo shoes. The video stands as an homage not only to McQueen and his legacy, but to the woman most responsible for Gaga’s amazing aptitude for reinvention: Madonna. And she’s been paying homage ever since.

Trading last Fall’s leather and velvet in exchange for lightweight wool, this collection is unmistakably on par with Perry’s subtle and sophisticated cool. Let’s not forget the little things – suit pants tucked into wool socks, same-print sweaters and scarves, and a smattering of fingerless gloves. As usual, Perry’s strongest looks offered his staple office-to-nightlife ready aesthetic. The shawl collar sweaters and 5-pocket jackets are a must! See full video of the show below.

Pics: GQ

LINK LOVE:EnGULFED in Fashion: Perry Ellis Launches Project Beach to Aid in Oil Spill Recovery

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Perry Ellis is scouring the country to find the sexiest guy to model in the September 2010 Perry Ellis fashion show in Miami. The lucky guy also receives an editorial in Ocean Drive magazine and a weekend getaway with a guest, courtesy of Perry Ellis.

To submit yourself or other handsome man as the sexiest guy next door follow Perry Ellis on Facebook and submit your name, city, height, clothing size and four recent clear, color photos to promotions@pery.com. The photos should only include the contestant and cannot be larger than 2MB each. The photos should include two recent full body shots and two close-up shots.

Finalists will be announced on July 7^th for friends and family to cast their votes on the Perry Ellis Facebook page.

he final winner will be announced on July 22^nd based on the finalist receiving the highest number of Fan Page visitor votes.

fall collection in in a showroom presentation, high above Bryant Park. Here I fell in love with my boyfriend all over again with visions of dressing him in the classic and clean-cut sportswear attire that is eternally Perry Ellis. Delicious separates in easy layers and rich hues of aubergine, charcoal, and navy make a practical and elegant statement for the understated yet stylish, New York man.