Olsen twins named best womenswear designers

London: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen scooped the Womenswear Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s annual awards in New York. The Hollywood celebrity twins beat off stiff competition from the more-established Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler to win the accolade. Dressed in their own designs, the former-child stars picked up the prize for their label The Row, which they had launched in 2007, the Telegraph reported. The pair thanked each other in their acceptance speeches. Other winners of the awards included Billy Reid for Menswear Designer of the Year and Reed Krakoff for Accessories Designer of the Year. Swarovski Awards for Emerging Talent, were given to British shoe designer Tabitha Simmons for accessories, Phillip Lim for menswear and Joseph Altuzarra for womenswear. Street style photography pioneers - and real-life couple - Scott Schuman and Garance Dore were given the Media Award, Andrew Rosen, the CEO of ‘Theory’ and ‘Helmut Lang’, was honoured with the Founders Award and Tommy Hilfiger received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. Two honourees who were not present to pick up their awards were Commes des Garcons’ Rei Kawakubo, who won the International Award and Johnny Depp, who was given the Fashion Icon Award. The awards, hosted by Saturday Night Live comedian Seth Meyers, also saw the Council of Fashion Designers of America celebrate its 50th anniversary. ANI