Rock ‘n’ roll ain’t noise pollution, and it ain’t a fashion disaster, either, as the stars who turned out this year’s VH-1/Vogue Fashion Awards proved. Whether they wore their full rock star regalia or toned it down with a Fashion for America T-shirt, fashion, movie and music industry celebs were all about the look-and honoring those who set the trends and those who wear the trends well.
The Winners
Gwen Stefani received the Rock Style award for her unique looks both on stage and her music videos. Stefani was also at the center of attention when the Goo Goo Dolls presented Moby with the Visionary Video Award for “South Side.”
P. Diddy, um, Puffy? Sean John? Whatever. That guy, you know, J. Lo‘s ex. The rapper? I mean, fashion designer? Whatever. He looks good. And he took home the award for Sharply Dressed Man. As he did, he thanked his mother for teaching him at an early age that “fashion had no restrictions.”
Model Niki Taylor, who suffered liver damage after a car accident in April, received a standing ovation as she appeared onstage with Latin singer Marc Anthony to present the Newcomer Award to teen heartthrob Josh Hartnett, who hopes, he said, “to be stylish in the future.” He received the award wearing jeans and a corduroy jacket.
Actor Jim Carrey picked up his Leading Man Award from one of rock’s leading men, Mick Jagger, while his ex Renee Zellweger received the Red Carpet Award for her appearance in a stunning yellow Lily et Cie gown at the 2001 Academy Awards in March. Sarah Jessica Parker, known fashionista, accepted the Best Dressed TV Show Award for Sex and the City.
Actress Hilary Swank, whose fashion sense was first noted at the 2000 Oscars when she won for Best Actress wearing Randolph Duke, presented Marc Jacobs his Designer of the Year Award. “I am honored to receive this award; it’s a privilege to get this,” he said. John Galliano received, aptly enough, the Rebel Designer award.
In one of the evening’s more original moments, Ben Stiller‘s fictional character, Derek Zoolander, presented himself with the Derek Zoolander Achievement Award for Male Model. Acting surprised, Stiller scrunched his face into his character’s unforgettable frown as he thanked God for “making me so incredibly good looking.”
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That’s Entertainment
Lenny Kravitz started the party off on the Hammerstein’s roof, where he performed “Dig In” from his upcoming album Lenny, due out Oct.30. His performance was perhaps less memorable than his hair, which he wore in a massive Afro.
If Kravitz had lots of hair, Mariah Carey had lots of “bare.” Wearing a black dress and visible bra, Carey started of her rendition of “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” astride a motorcycle. Pink balloons with the letter “M” on them fell onto the audience. In a further display of lingerie, Macy Gray sang her latest tune “Sexual Revolution” as dancers did their thing, and displayed their thongs in the process.
John Mellencamp and India.Arie’s “Peaceful World” received warm applause, but not quite as energetic a reaction as the one that greeted singer Alicia Keys after her a cappella version of “Respect.”
And in one of the night’s odder displays, models, impersonating some well know music industry faces such as Bjork, Marilyn Manson, Jim Morrison, Prince and Blondie, walked down the runway to show the music world’s impact on the fashion industry.
Speeches and Such
The VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards were, thankfully, fairly long on looks and short on speeches. Nonetheless, presenters and winners–including Galliano, Zellweger, Hillary Clinton and Sandra Bullock-seemed compelled to talk about their pride in New York and the importance of living life as normally as possible after the events of Sept. 11.
Rudolph Giuliani, meanwhile, thanked fashion designers for keeping New York open for business, and in a continuing show of support, designers Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger and others wore Fashion for America T-shirts to the event. The audience was encouraged to buy the shirts, which go on sale Nov. 1, to benefit the mayor’s Twin Tower Relief Fund.
Below is a list of the winners for the 2001 VH-1/Vogue Fashion Awards:
Visionary Video–Moby
Designer of the Year–Marc Jacobs
Model of the Year–Stella Tennant
Rebel Designer–John Galliano
Best Dressed TV Show–Sex and the City
Red Carpet Award–Renee Zellweger
Leading Man–Jim Carrey
Outrageous Group–Destiny’s Child
Sharp Dressed Man–P. Diddy
Rock Style–Gwen Stefani
Newcomer Award–Josh Hartnett
