P Diddy Scoops Us Menswear Design Award

Sean Combs, alias P Diddy, alias Puff Daddy, alias Puffy, has proved that he has as many potential careers as nicknames.

The music mogul, who is currently starring in a Broadway play, was named menswear designer of the year at the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards in New York on Monday for his label, Sean John.

He beat the more established Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors to the title at a ceremony generally referred to as the Oscars of the fashion world.

"I'm very happy, as you can see. I am living the American dream," the rapper cum designer said.

Sarah Jessica Parker, the actor who launched a thousand trends on the TV show Sex and the City, was given the fashion icon award.

Perhaps even more outstanding, at least in the US, was the opening entertainment. The recent winner of the hugely popular American Idol, Fantasia Barrino, performed her first single for the assembled audience of 400, comprising mainly fashion editors, designers and retailers.

Other guests included the singer Beyoncé, the actor Susan Sarandon and the beleaguered lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, who is currently awaiting sentencing for lying about share sales.

The big winners included Miuccia Prada, the highly influential designer behind the label, who won an international award.

Carolina Herrera beat Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Ralph Rucci for the womenswear designer of the year title, and Donna Karan was given a lifetime achievement award.

Tom Ford, the man who pretty much single-handedly resuscitated Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent before stepping down this year and swapping fashion for a rumoured career in Hollywood, was give a special tribute by the council.