>> All 21 designers nominated for the 2009 CFDA Awards have been photographed by Craig McDean for the CFDA Journal, but the nine who are Swarovski emerging designer nominees will also be featured in individual short films, along with an editor or stylist of their choice, to be shown at the June 15 ceremony.

The shorts, directed by Michael Palmieri and still photographed by Jennifer Livingston, feature designers Thakoon Panichgul, Jason Wu (who partnered with T fashion director Anne Christensen, left), Alexander Wang, Justin Giunta (who picked Harper's Bazaar accessories director Ana Maria Pimentel), Alejandro Ingelmo, Albertus Swanepoel, Patrick Ervell (who shot with V fashion editor Jay Massacret), Tim Hamilton and Robert Geller.  The films also feature editors Anne Slowey, Brian Coats, Brian Molloy, Kate Lanphear, Camilla Nickerson and Melanie Ward.

>> The 2009 CFDA Award nominees have just been announced, and Marc Jacobs has already won an award — the International Award for his work at Louis Vuitton (he's nominated in two more categories).  Last year's Swarovski Award winners, Rodarte and Band of Outsiders, have both been bumped up to compete in the respective major league categories, and 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund contenders Albertus Q. Swanepoel, Alejandro Ingelmo, and Jason Wu have all entered the Swarovski Award ring this year. 

We'll have to wait until June 15 to see who wins what, but the ceremony might mark fashion's first Michelle Obama event appearance — she's being honored with this year's Board of Director's Special Tribute for her style choices and penchant for up-and-coming talent.

And now, the nominees . . . »

>> INSIDER WIRE —Are bold prints in Alexander Wang's future?  As part of his CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund win, he's been paired up with Diane von Furstenberg and DVF president Paula Sutter, who will serve as his business mentors for a year.  Runners-up Albertus Swanepoel and Vena Cava were paired up with Andy and Kate Spade, and Gap's Patrick Robinson and Theory's Andrew Rosen, respectively. [Vogue UK]

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>> After two seasons of working together, Alexander Wang and Erin Wasson are parting ways . . . mostly. Alex has hired Alastair McKimm to style his Spring 2009 collection in place of Wasson, but Erin will still be creating jewelry for the show from her Low Luv line.

As for the clothes, Alexander Wang promises "a marked departure" from past collections: lots of color and dresses, an athletic-meets-“Miami Vice” vibe, lace patterns inspired by sweat stains, and runway hats by milliner Albertus Swanepoel that look like a mix between swim caps and “corseted do-rags.”

But wait, there's more!  Spring 2009 also means a diffusion line, T by Alexander Wang, and the designer's first shoe collection (both above). T focuses on what else but tees: Tanks to T-shirt dresses ($28-$40 wholesale) in colors ranging from whites and gray to lavender, chartreuse and cerulean, all in Alex's signature slouchy style. 

As for the shoes, there are five styles to begin with, $125 to $250 wholesale, capturing the street feel Alex likes — and get this: He used actual body-piercing rings as hardware. What a whirlwind — let's hope Alex can keep up!
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>> The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has determined its ten finalists for 2008. 

Last year's winner, Rogan Gregory, was announced in November and received a monetary award of $200,000, with two runners-up reiving $50,000 each.  For the past couple of years, the nominees have worked with Gap as part of a limited Gap Design Edition collaboration to gain more exposure, and many have also gone on to work with Target in limited-edition runs. 

This year's nominees are:

Richard Chai

Jason Wu

Alexander Wang

Irene Neuwirth

Albertus Q. Swanepoel of Albertus Quartus

Alejandro Ingelmo

Juan Carlos Obando

Swaim and Christina Hutson of Obedient Sons & Daughters

John Patrick of Organic

Sophie Mayock and Lisa Buhai of Vena Cava
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