Lady luxe is what we are craving.
My fave is Chloe.
Available at Bergdorf Goodman.

It is modern, edgy and easy at the same time flattering on all body types.
My fave is IMAN Global Chic Cape.
Available at HSN.

Fur is the new knitwear.

Collars, chubies even on bags… what a comeback!
My fave anything by Michael Kors.

CONTINUED AT ESSENCE.COM

The Fashion Group International is the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and this year’s Star Honorees not only included my dear Michael Kors but also Frida Gianini of Gucci, Milliner Stephen Jones and Victoire de Castellane  of Dior Fine Jewelry.

The event was held at Cipriani Wall Street and packed with celebrities from Gwen Stefani, Eva Mendes, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Stipes, Mary J. Blige, Evan Rachel Wood, Emmy Rossum  and James Franco and fashion’s biggest talents from Michael Kors (of course!), Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfigher  and Kenneth Cole.  

When I was just about to get up to present the award to Michael, I realized that I hadn’t  printed my speech in a bigger font….you see I need reading glasses so usually when there are no teleprompters I print my speech in humongous letters, but I didn’t check tonight as my assistant print it out for me!

I realized there is no way I could read this so I started asking around the tables for a pair of reading glasses.  After several tries and nothing, thankfully, a gentleman gave me his glasses that were a perfect match and I thought, “now I have to work the glasses in the speech!”  So I did…. and guess what?  WWD wrote:

“Iman could have easily picked up “crowd favorite” for her speech introducing fashion award winner Michael Kors.  She said ‘Thank you, Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfigher, Oscar de la Renta, and all the other designers who told me that I look more beautiful and younger than ever.  But ladies, don’t fret – getting older is a b–ch!’”

That is when I put the reading glasses on!  It pays sometimes to think fast on your feet and make mistakes or misfortunes work for you.

I said in my speech this (among other things,) “For 28 years, Michael was consistently stood for a relaxed kind of luxury which is the hallmark of American Style. His sporty glamour has traveled the fashion globe from Bond Street in London, to the Via Sant Andrea in Milan, to seven years at the helm of Celine in Paris. He has seen his American point of view become an increasingly international point of view. Watching his shows is like a 13 min escape from everyday life. He takes us away from Aspen to Gstad to Capri and Palm Beach and back to urban Manhattan.”

Congrats, Michael! Mwah!

Iman in custom made Michael Kors gown and Fred Leighton jewelry

With presenter Isaac Mizrahi

OUT/100 AWARDS I have been chosen as one of OUT 100… this event celebrates yearly 100 men and women who rocked 2006! I was awarded for the Humanitarian of the Year Award for my work for Keep a Child Alive (www.keepachildalive.org) and the other awards were to Michael Kors, Anne Hathaway, Rufus Wainwright and John Cameron Mitchell. My dear friend Isaac Mizrahi presented the award to me at Capitale in NY. I was Queen of Queens for that night! I was humbled by the support.

With Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and Heidi Klum

PROJECT RUNWAY I was one of their expert fashion judges on this emmy nominated show and i was quiet resistant in doing it as i thought i don’t need to do another show like America’s Next Top Model but i was pleasantly surprised how much fun it was especially being with designer Michael Kors who i think not only is he talented but quiet funny and Elle’s fashion director Nina Garcia. The new young designers are a handful and i am sure Heidi Klum and team will have quiet a job at decided a winner.

With Andre Leon Talley and designer Michael Kors

A.L.T. 365+ A.L.T. 365+ is the new book from Editor at Large of Vogue Magazine, Andre Leon Talley. You might know him from his monthly column in Vogue, Stylefax, but I have known Andre since 1977 and we have stayed friends since. I can honestly say he is one of the most knowledgeable “editors” in our business… from fashion, textiles, furniture and definitely in opinions. I attended his low-key but very chic book launch party at La Grenouille restaurant on Madison Avenue in New York. FYI…. Andre first book was called Andre Leon Talley, A Memoir.