Model Naomi Campbell arrives at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York on Monday, June 2, 2008.[Agencies]

"For me, it is a really big honor, because also, it's not just about the clothes that I make but the way that I run my business and the way that I make fashion," he said.

Style.com's Candy Pratts Price received the Eugenia Sheppard award for her achievements as an influential fashion editor, while Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was awarded the Board of Director's Special Tribute award for his initiatives to support the fashion industry in New York, a major economic force.

Yves Saint Laurent, who passed away at the age of 71 the evening before, was on many designers' minds.

"It's makes me feel so lonely, like it's not a good world anymore," said Isaac Mizrahi.

Marc Jacobs, nominated in two categories this year, womenswear and accesories, said his fluttery heart dress worn by Victoria Beckham that night was an homage to Saint Laurent.

"There has never been a collection that we've done where we haven't thought about Yves Saint Laurent," he said. "I think about him all of the time."