Fashion News Alert: The CFDA Awards Pharrell, IMG Closes MADE Deal, Serena’s Vogue Cover, and Cavalli’s New Creative Director

Pharrell Williams is overdue for some good news. After a first-round loss with Marvin Gaye’s family over the origins of his 2013 hit “Blurred Lines,” Williams is ripe for some positive slaps on the back.

The CFDA announced late Friday that Pharrell Williams has been chosen as the 2015 Icon of the Year. “Pharrell Williams’s unique style has earned him a reputation for being one of the world’s most recognizable trend-setters,” the CFDA said in a statement published on fashionmag.com.

“If cool was a person, it would be Pharrell, not just for his looks and sense of style but for his kindness and openness. I cannot imagine anyone not seduced by him,” said Diane von Furstenberg, president of the CFDA.

Williams’ predecessors for the CFDA Icon of the Year Award have been Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Johnny Depp, Iman, Nicole Kidman, and Kate Moss.

Peter Dundas’ homecoming

Thomas Wolfe once famously said, ”You can never go home again.”  Well, that doesn’t exactly apply to Peter Dundas.

This is the second time around for Dundas with Roberto Cavalli. On Friday, Dundas was named the creative director of the Italian luxury brand. Norwegian-born designer Dundas has been the creative director for Emilio Pucci since 2008, but served in the capacity of chief designer for Cavalli from 2002-2005.

“This is a homecoming for me. It is an honour for me to continue to evolve the wonderful world of Roberto Cavalli and I am very excited by the possibilities and potential of this unique brand. I cannot wait to get started.”

Another Vogue cover for Serena

If winning 18 Grand Slams isn’t enough, add another American Vogue cover to your portfolio of accomplishments. That’s right, you heard it at Fashion Reverie, Serena Williams has added another Vogue cover to her overstuffed success bin.

Williams’s shares the inside story and editorial with tennis champ and rival, Caroline Wozniacki. “It’s hard and lonely at the top,” she says. “That’s why it’s so fun to have Caroline and my sister, too. You’re a target when you’re number one. Everyone wants to beat you. Everyone talks behind your back, and you get a lot more criticism. God forbid I lose. It’s like ‘Why?’ Well, I am human.” The on-court rivals vacation together, but have never played a match just for fun. “I play tennis all year,” explains Serena in the April issue.

Celebrity photographer Annie Liebowitz photographed both Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki for the April issue. Serena wears a Rag & Bone sheath dress on the cover.

New digs for NYFW

Since Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s last showing at Lincoln Center in February 2015, there has been much talk about where the governing body, IMG, will set up tents, so to speak, in September. Will it be at the Piers, Superindustrio Studios, the Highline Hotel, and/or the Moynihan Station locations; where will it be?

It was revealed today that IMG acquired MADE Fashion Week. MADE Fashion Week located at Milk Studios in Chelsea hosts over 30 shows—Jeremy Scott, the Blonds, Public School, Rochambeau, Chromat, Sophie Theallet Cushie et Ochs, Proenza Schouler, and many others during NYFW.

Under this acquisition MADE will operate as a separate entity while aligning with IMG to offer resources and opportunities to designers and partners. “MADE has been a platform that supports creative vanguards in fashion, music, technology and culture and makes their work possible,” said Keith Baptista, a founder of MADE Fashion Week. “As part of the WME | IMG family, MADE will expand its reach and remain on the front line of fostering new talent and encouraging bold new voices. We are thrilled to be part of the team, and excited for all that the future holds.”

The New York Fashion Week and MADE Fashion Week Spring 2016 Collections will take place September 10-17, 2015.

—William S. Gooch