Fashion icons and tastemakers turned out in style to kick-off the exciting debut of the luxury hotel collection’s fashion prize for up-and-coming designers.

Fashion industry notables at The New York Palace were abuzz last night as Dorchester Collection celebrated the launch of the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize in North America. Guests were also able to view the 2011 autumn/winter design collection from Thomas Tait–winner of the 2010 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize in which he was honored with this event. Tait is also consulting on the design of staff attire at 45 Park Lane, the newest hotel to open from Dorchester Collection this summer in London.

Guests who mingled and sipped on Belvedere Thomas Tait cocktails in the stunning Madison Room at The New York Palace included several 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize judges, each of whom arrived in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Ghost or Drophead Coupe, including:

Giovanna Battaglia, internationally acclaimed fashion editor; Derek Blasberg, editor and author of best-seller, Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady; Thom Browne, award-winning men’s wear designer; Francisco Costa, award-winning women’s creative director of Calvin Klein Collection; Shala Monroque, fashion and art consultant; Lauren Santo Domingo, Moda Operandi founder and CEO; and Elizabeth Saltzman, Vanity Fair contributing editor.

Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize Chairperson, Bronwyn Cosgrave also announced at the event two new additional judges – Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, designers of Marchesa. Together, all judges will select the upcoming 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize designer.

“The judges are visionaries whose work is inspirational to the designers applying for the prize. Equally, the judges are inspired by the prospect of finding a designer who will benefit from the fantastic opportunities the prize offers,“ said Cosgrave.

The debut of Tait’s autumn/winter collection served as an eye-catching reminder that there is less than four weeks remaining before the May 31 deadline for the next generation of designers to apply for the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The 2011 Prize is open to up-and-coming designers of ready-to-wear or premium accessories who are located in North America and have an established design business in operation for two years in the United States or Canada. The winner will receive an endowment of USD $40,000 to help establish their brand and will also have the opportunity to debut their collection at sister property, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, during Paris Fashion Week 2012.

To apply for the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize before the May 31 deadline, please visit www.dorchestercollection.com/2011Application.

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