The Council of Fashion Designers of America gave out their top prizes last night, handing out the industry's equivalent of an Oscar or an Emmy. What was easily the best-dressed group in all of Manhattan gathered in the newly revamped Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center to celebrate the industry and each other. (See a slideshow)

   Rodarte with Kirsten Dunst

Rodarte, a young label that was recognized last year with an award for emerging womenswear designers, took home the top prize of Womenswear Designer of the Year. Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy's distressed, futuristic-yet-gothy designs, a favorite among fashion editors and starlets, beat out Marc Jacobs and Narciso Rodriguez.

Band of Outsiders's Scott Sternberg and Calvin Klein's Italo Zucchelli tied in the menswear category. Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler won the accessories category.

New York City-based Alexander Wang won the Swarovski Award for Womenswear, the new-designer award that Rodarte won last year. He beat out two of Michelle Obama's favorites, Jason Wu and Thakoon Panichgul. Tim Hamilton (menswear) and Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry (accessories) rounded out the Swarovski categories.

The CFDA also recongized several longtime industry veterans, including Anna Sui, who was honored with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.

In a first, the CFDA held an online vote allowing the public to choose their favorite designers. Ralph Lauren won the contest, in which over 15,000 people voted according to the CFDA and Women's Wear Daily, which sponsored the contest.

But it wasn't just fashion designers who were honored. The show opened with a special tribute award to Michelle Obama, recognizing her influence as a fashion kingmaker. Ms. Obama was not present at the awards, but accepted via a pre-taped segment.