The Guardian

London:

Sean Combs, alias Puff Daddy, alias Puffy, alias P Diddy, has proved that he has as many potential careers as nicknames. The music mogul, who is starring in a Broadway play, was named Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awards in New York on Monday for his label, Sean John. He beat the more established Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors to the title in a ceremony generally referred to as the Oscars of the fashion world. “I’m very happy, as you can see. I am living the American dream,” the rapper cum designer said. The recent winner of the hugely popular American Idol, Fantasia Barrino, performed her first single for the assembled 400 guests comprising mainly of fashion editors, designers and retailers. Other guests included singer Beyonce, actress Susan Sarandon and beleaguered lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, who is currently awaiting sentencing for lying about share sales.

Other big winners included Miuccia Prada, the highly influential designer behind the label, who won an international award. Carolina Herrera beat Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Ralph Rucci for Womenswear Designer of the Year, Donna Karan was given a lifetime achievement award. Tom Ford, the man who single handedly resuscitated Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent before stepping down this year and swapping fashion for a career in Hollywood was honoured.