CFDA AWARDS!

Last Monday (June 6th, 2016), I got to check off one of the items in my bucket list, which was to attend an important awards show. That wasn't the best part, however. The best part was that the awards show I got to attend were the CFDA Awards! For those that don't know, the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards is basically like the Oscars for the fashion industry. It is a glamorous yearly event that honors designers that have excelled and made a huge impact in the world of Fashion. Some of the awards given are womenswear designer of the year, menswear designer of the year, accessories designer of the year, and many more. It is one of the most special and anticipated awards show of year attended by the biggest names in the industry such as Anna Wintour, Diane von Fursternberg, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karen, etc. And of course, every important event has to include A-list celebrities as well! This year there were big name celebrities invited such Claire Danes, Ansel Elgort, Tilda Swinton, and so many more!

I got the amazing opportunity to attend because I participated as a volunteer for some of the rehearsals for the show. There was a special segment that they did called A Year in Fashion, which highlighted some of the best designs from last years run way shows in the categories of street wear, evening, shearling, and goth. I was part of a group of 25 volunteers and our job was to be stand-ins for the models that would walk the day of the actual show. We were there to help the organizers see how the show would look, how it would flow, and for timing purposes. Doing it was so much fun because we got to walk the actual stage and feel like super models for a few hours. As a thank you gift, we all got invited to attend the show!

Below I have shared the story along with several pictures from the incredible night: 

We arrived at the venue at about 8:00 pm. This was the perfect time to arrive because the awards didn't start until 9:00 and we got to see all the fabulous guests arriving and walking the red carpet. It was a little bit crazy but so worth it! I was waiting by the check in so I literally got to see all the celebrities walk out of their car and literally walk right in front of me. As soon as I got there, I was standing right next to the Olsen twins! Immediately I was star-struck. Other celebrities that I got to stand next to and see up close were Rachel Zoe, Naomi Campbell, Claire Danes, La La Anthony, Olivia Wilde, Elizabeth Olsen, and Adriana Lima! They all looked so beautiful and seeing them in real life was unreal. 

I took this selfie as I waited to go in. I absolutely loved the filter they had for the show.

Everything was so official. This was where all the celebrities had to go to check-in and so did we.

Just casually walking the same path all the famous people had walked on previously. 

Walking the red carpet!

My Outfit
Top: H&M
Skirt: Forever 21
Shoes: DSW

Let the Show Begin!

I made friends with these two lovely girls, so we sat down together to watch the show. They escorted us to our seats and they handed out snacks for us. I didn't take a picture of that but I grabbed some water and a pack of skittles. We had an incredible view and we were basically in the center. We had some time before the show started so we were just there celebrity watching. We got to see Karlie Kloss being all cute and walking around saying hi to everyone. Ansel Elgort looked so handsome and he was being so adorable with his girlfriend.

This was my wonderful view. We were seated in the second balcony and had a perfect view of the stage and the celebrities sitting right below us!

I didn't include all the pictures I took mainly because they weren't the best quality but here are two highlights from that night which included Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson! :) 

Surprise appearance by Queen B! She was honored with the Fashion Icon Award.

Jennifer Hudson honoring Prince with a special performance.

I took this picture as the show ended and we were waiting to leave. I still couldn't believe all the excitement that had happened.

As the show ended, we made our way downstairs and said my final goodbye to the beautiful stage.

Celebrity Spotting!

Of course, I couldn't leave the CFDA without getting a few celebrity selfies! Most people left as soon as the show was over but there were some that were lingering around when we made our way down and of course I had to at least try to get a picture! I was so starstruck, but fortunately for me, everyone that I met was so lovely! 

The lovely Eva Chen

America Ferrera! She was the cutest! 

Me and my gorgeous date (I wish!) Sebastian Stan ;)

The fabulous Lorraine Schwartz casually photo bombing my picture with Christian Louboutin

Tilda Swinton! This woman is seriously the nicest person ever! I was so nervous to ask for a picture but she was literally so nice.

Finally got a picture with the lovely Karen Craig from Marchesa! I told her I had volunteered for her show a few seasons ago and she was so sweet and thanked me for being a part of it. 

Getting to attend the CFDA Awards was so surreal and unbelievable. I honestly appreciate every single opportunity that I get and I never take anything for granted because who knows when or if I will get another chance. I am so thankful for getting to attend and I can't wait for many more incredible opportunities like this to occur! Hope you enjoyed this post and I hope to be back with more exciting stories like these to tell! 

- Diana :)