Jacobs Receives Designer of the Year Award

New York - The man whose own latest accessory is dyed blue hair, Marc Jacobs, took home the "Designer of the Year" award at the 11th Annual ACE Awards in New York on Nov. 5, one of many people honored by the Accessories Council this year for their achievements in the world of accessories.


Jacobs, whose shoes and handbags for both his signature collection and his younger Marc by Marc Jacobs brand are highly sought after items, also designs accessories for one of the most recognizable luxury brands in the world, Louis Vuitton, which he reinvents season after season. His latest collection, shown on the runways in Paris in October, featured a collaboration with artist Richard Prince.

Actress Mandy Moore was honored as "Fashion Innovator," while supermodel and "Project Runway" producer Heidi Klum, who designed a jewelry line of her own that she will wear in upcoming episodes, received the "Fashion Influencer" award. Moore opted to wear a form-fitting black satin shirt dress, while Klum wore a black and gold brocade gown. Jessica Simpson, a presenter, wore a black and gold sheath.

Black dresses - perhaps better for highlighting one's accessories - turned out to be the prevailing statement of the evening, as fellow honoree Tory Burch, whose new line garnered the "Accessory Brand Launch" award, wore an elegant black halter gown. Presenter Helena Christensen and Lucy Liu, who accepted Valentino's lifetime achievement award on his behalf, also looked stunning in tiered dresses - Liu's, from the Valentino couture collection, featured dramatic, full ruffles and Christensen's was Grecian column-meets-flapper.

The other award winners included Macy's, Inc. (Retailer of the Year), Harper's Bazaar (Magazine of the Year), Scoop (Specialty Retailer of the Year), Bridget Foley (Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism) and Nancy Gonzalez (Brand of the Year).

Banana Republic Does Jet-Set Safari for Spring

Renata Espinosa Fri Nov 2, 11:42 AM ET

New York - In 1978 when the founders of Banana Republic, Mel and Patricia Ziegler, launched the company in California, they turned safari military looks into a fashion statement.

But stepping into a Banana Republic store now, the high-end brand owned by Gap Inc. since 1983, very little aside from the name would ever hint at this travel and adventure focus of the past. When the Ziegler's company was acquired, the company rebranded it as the city sophisticate's go-to for runway style and upscale quality at accessible prices, which is what it continues to do today.

For the Spring '08 collection however, presented during a runway show on Nov. 1, Banana Republic revisited its safari roots, updating khaki classics like the trench - as a chic belted sleeveless shirtdress or vest - and included military-inspired blouses and jackets. For both men and women, there were also relaxed wide-leg trousers.

The fashion-forward Banana Republic customer with her eyes on looks she saw come down the New York runways for spring - high-waisted voluminous short skirts at Proenza Schouler, sleek racerback tank dresses at Calvin Klein, or bold knits in '70s-inspired colors at Marc by Marc Jacobs - will find plenty to love in this collection. A swingy black and brown printed linen pleated skirt looked smart when paired with a white military-inspired buttondown shirt, while maxi-length silk tank dresses popped in bright purple, and exuded Saint-Tropez elegance in a yellow geometric print version.

And while three-quarter length sleeve coats in mustard yellow and dresses in hunter orange may not find many takers, a key for any spring wardrobe will certainly be the inclusion of jolts of bold color.

For men, Banana Republic offered crinkled cardigans, loose khaki trousers or slim seersucker pants. Compared with the women's collection, where things were kept structured but loose, the men's collection consisted of a more body-conscious, trim silhouette.