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Joseph Altuzarra isnt a household name. Yet. But the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue Fashion Fund ceremony Monday night will likely change that in a hurry. The handsome young Parisian-born designer was tapped as the industrys latest wunderkind, an honor akin to coronation into fashion royalty.
Altuzarra accepted his $300,000 prize during a ceremony headlined by some of fashions biggest names: Calvin Klein, CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg and Vogue diva, Anna Wintour. The prize money is intended as start-up cash to fund Altuzarras eponymous label. In addition to money, the CFDA says Altuzarra, like previous winners, will receive mentorship from fashion industry leaders. Wintour remarked in her introduction to Kleins keynote speech, Calvin was always able to pluck someone from obscurity and change our perception of them."
Altuzarra, who received his degree in art history, honed his craft at major labels such as Marc Jacobs, Givenchy and Proenza Schouler. Schouler herself, now one of fashions most influential designers, was the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Funds first award recipient in 2004. So while you may not currently have any Altuzarra pieces in your closet, its tough to imagine your wardrobe will stay that way.
The perpetually on-target fashion blogger for The Guardian UK, Imogen Fox, describes Altuzarras spring 2012 collection as, Balenciaga-meets-Proenza by way of sporty, techno, Hawaiian stuff. It's fabulous.
Look for Altuzarras prêt-a-porter pieces on a stylish sales floor near you in the very near future.
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