DALLAS, Mar 30, 2005/ FW/ --- The awards season is not over yet. The Council of Fashion Designers of America is just starting with the release of the nominees for the 2005 CFDA Fashion Awards, with the gala night slated on Jun 6, 2005 at the New York Public Library.

Headlining the nominations are New York-based designer Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs (for his signature line) and Ralph Rucci (for Chado Ralph Rucci).

Known for her bridal gowns, Vera Wang has been a significant fashion force since the 1990s. A native of New York, her formal education is in Liberal Arts and not in fashion. But working as an editor for Vogue for 17 years, she learned about the industry from inside and out.

Her career in fashion designing started when she became Design Director at Ralph Lauren. In 1990, she felt she was ready to be on her own and opened her first boutique at Madison Avenue. Since then, her bridal and ready-to-wear lines have been a favorite among the fashion crowd.

Today, the label Vera Wang includes accessories and perfumes in addition to her clothing line.

Another native New Yorker, Marc Jacobs was recognized early as a designer wherein while a student at Parsons, he received several awards including Design Student of the Year and sold his first knitwear collection even before graduation.

Starting the Marc Jacobs label in 1986, it has gone from strength to strength since its inception. In 1987, Jacobs was awarded the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for New Talent and in 1992, he was named the CFDA Women's Designer of the Year.

A member of Class 1980 of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Ralph Rucci pursued his career along various paths, designing for other firms in both America and Europe, as well as his own.

Sticking mostly to the made-to-order clientele since graduation, it was only in 1994 that he would launch the very successful Chado Ralph Rucci ready-to-wear line. In 2002, he would debut his haute couture collection, Ralph Rucci Chado on the official calendar of the Chamber Syndicale in Paris.

Innovative with a great eye for details, his ajouré or openwork on seams on garments have garnered great praise both from clients and fashion editors. His original Euro-American look has also become a favorite among fashionistas.