Being on Ecco Domani’s Style Squad comes with some fashionable opportunities… like heading to Ecco Domani’s Decade of Style Event.  This was a dream come true for me… truly a dream come true.

First… let me introduce you to the Style Squad!

The Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation hosted a fabulous Decade of Style Event Thursday evening in NYC to honor its 10th anniversary season with the announcement of its 2011 honorees.  Seven incredibly talented designers will receive a $25,000 grant, and the opportunity to showcase their collections during New York’s Fall 2011 Fashion Week. Pretty incredible, huh?  And… the Ecco Domani Style Squad got to see all of them be honored Thursday night!

So who are the lucky 7 for 2011?

Bibhu Mohapatra

Maayan Zilberman and Nikki Dekker for The Lake & Stars

M. Patmos

Mandy Coon (women’s)

Kyle Fitzgibbons for Native Son (men’s)

Pamela Love (accessories)

Tara St. James for STUDY NY (sustainable)

It was fascinating seeing the energy and the spirit and the passion of fashion at the Decade of Style event.  The room was filled with designers – past winners and present winners – who truly have made a difference and a true mark on the fashion world.  I have to be honest, for me the experience was a pinch me moment because there were some ultra-fashionable people in the fashion industry that I was beyond excited to see and meet.  For starters… all of the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Judges! There were 3 judges in particular that I was thrilled to see…

Sally Singer…

Sally is the fashion news/features director of Vogue, which is essentially my must-read-magazine every month.  When I worked at Donna Karan, I remember Sally Singer interviewing her for an article.  She’s someone who just knows so much about the world of fashion and describes the world and its inhabitants in the most perfect way.

Ruth Finley…

Ruth is a staple in the fashion world.  She founded and publishes the Fashion Calendar, she is the master of planning of New York’s fashion events runway shows, store openings, trunk shows, showroom walk-thrus, parties and everything and anything!

Chris Bollen…

Chris is the editor in chief of Interview magazine.

It was just awesome to see and meet them, along with all of the other judges — Marylou Luther, Julie Gilhart, Kim Hastreiter, Nicole Fischelis, Jay Bell, Ken Downing and Alex Badia.

The night was spectacular… fun, lively and fashionably-perfect!

Plus… we also got a sneak peek at some of the designs… which totally gets me excited for this upcoming week!

Here’s to an amazing Ecco Domani Fashion Week 2011!!