We rarely cover red carpets as frankly we are almost never interested in anyone that traverses them. But last night at the CFDA 2008 Fashion Awards we had plenty to be interested in as it was the real celebrities of our world, the designers, that were doing most of the preening. But there is an unfortunate trend for red carpets at fashion events. More and more designers appear to be scared to walk the red carpet alone. They cling to their "celebrity" guests, afraid it seems, that without their groomed counterpart that the photographers might forget to snap their image. Clearly this isn't the case as menswear winner Tom Ford, accessories winner Tory Burch, and lifetime achievement winner Carolina Herrera got their pictures taken without a problem. Plenty of other designers didn't seem scared to walk by themselves either including Diane Von Fursternberg, Doo Ri, Vera Wang , Donna Karen, Erin Featherston , Zac Posen, and John Bartlett.

So why is it that the man of the hour, the winner of Womenswear Designer of The Year, Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein seems unable to stand alone? Every photo we have of him has been while swanning about with a certain beauty in white.

The CFDA presents the Womenswear Designer of the Year award annually to an American designer who has made the most outstanding contribution to and has influenced the direction of women's ready-to-wear fashion with his or her most recent spring and fall collections. The award nominees and winner were selected by the CFDA membership, comprised of a peer group of designers, editors, retailers and stylists. Other nominees for this prestigious category included Marc Jacobs, and Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough. Winning this award is no small matter. It very much makes you worthy of standing on your own two feet to be adored by the masses of photographers. To make matters worse (or better) Mr. Costa received the very same award in 2006 when he was nominated alongside the same designers.

We think its time for you to leave the embrace of your beauty Mr. Costa and stand alone. Surely after all of this time you deserve to have the limelight by yourself.

Kirrily Johnston launched her namesake label for Spring Summer 2004/2005. Immediately recognized by Australia's fashion editors, Kirrily has gone on to considerable success in Australia. Formally training at the Melbourne Institute of Textiles, Kirrily Johnston began her career in fashion in Melbourne in 1999. Now based in Sydney, her aim has been to blend elegance with innovation. Focusing on luxurious fabrics and quality craftsmanship, Kirrily's clothes are detailed and tailored yet maintain a sexy modern edge.


Her Spring/Summer 2008/2009 collection focused heavily on draping and easy to wear silhouettes. We particularly enjoyed her jodhpur pants and quirky knee high stylings. Her color pallet was largely neutrals in gray, black, and white with splashes of hot pink in her evening wear.

Uniqlo's Designer Invitation Project is back and Brazilian designer Julianna Jabour is leading the pack. The designer created a bubble dress and boatneck dress in sophisticated prints. A low-waisted tunic and sleeveless top to be worn with jeans round out the looks.

This collaboration marks Julianna Jabour as fashion's new favorite Brazilian (Sorry Atil!). After making pits stops in Washington D.C to study politics at Georgetown and in London as a department store buyer she has established herself as a Sao Paulo presence felt around the globe. Her line references the 70s and 80s using knits, viscose, gaze and linen to create a breezy look that is a step up from beachy longewear while still evoking the body conscious sensual aesthetic of so many Brazilian women. And its just a little bit out there which makes us hum the theme from Brazil over Girl From Ipanema if you know what we mean. Terry Gilliam would be proud.