Meet the 2009 CFDA Nominees
Name: Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs
Category: Womenswear Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: No one else could get away with the sending silver lamé pantsuits (Fall 2008) or neon pink hooded overcoats (Fall 2009) down the runway and leave editors clamoring for more.
Paul Morigi, WireImage
Name: Narciso Rodriguez
Category: Womenswear Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: Aside from being a heavy favorite of the First Lady, Rodriguez's past two collections were considered some of his strongest in recent years.
Dimitrios Kambouris, WireImage
Name: Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte
Category: Womenswear Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: Since launching the Rodarte label in 2005, these sisterly designers from Pasadena have been called American couturiers and garnered an incredible following in young Hollywood.
Dave M. Benett, Getty Images
Name: Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein
Category: Menswear Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: Not one to be afraid of bolder designs, Zucchelli sent models down the runway in neon suits for spring 2009.
Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images
Name: Michael Bastian
Category: Menswear Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: Out of the three nominees for this category, Bastian is the one who keeps it real with modern twists on classic designs.
Jerritt Clark, WireImage
Name: Scott Steinberg for Band of Outsiders
Category: Menswear Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: In only his fourth season, Steinberg has managed to deliver interesting options ranging from tailored suits to flannel tuxedo trousers.
Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images
Name: Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs
Category: Accessory Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: Jacobs's creativity doesn't just stop with ready-to-wear. (Who can forget the backward shoes from the spring 2008 collection that had the heel in the front?) Aside from his ingenious design, he's also sells. Jacobs's handbags are always coveted by the fashion flock.
Venturelli, WireImage
Name: Vera Wang
Category: Accessory Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: Look no farther than the image to the left as to why Wang is on the bill. The crystal encrusted necklaces over the past two seasons are still hot commodities. (Though truth be told, should Wang win this accolade, we hope she shares it with the incredible Philip Crangi who masterminded these accessories.)
Paul Morigi, WireImage
Name: Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler
Category: Accessory Designer of the Year
Why Nominated: Relatively new to the accessories market, these designers have shown that they can hold their own and then some. Shoes supported by metal pieces that look like door hinges, a launch of sleek rectangular-shaped handbags, and sunglasses cut in a mod circular shape have all been part of their repertoire of late.
Donato Sardella, WireImage
Name: Thakoon Panichgul for Thakoon
Category: Swarovski Award for Womenswear
Why Nominated: Thakoon's pretty-with-a-touch-of-edge designs have always resonated with editors. Lately though, he has seen his popularity soar thanks to his most famous customer, Michelle Obama.
Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images