Designer Alexander McQueen.

THE fashion world has announced one more tribute to late British designer Alexander McQueen, awarding the young genius a posthumous Council of Fashion Designers of America special board of directors honour.

McQueen died in an apparent suicide in London last month. It was announced on Wednesday that the designer will be applauded at the industry’s annual celebrity-studded gala later this year.

Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and last year’s pick for up-and-coming talent, Alexander Wang, will compete in the womenswear category, considered the biggest prize of the night.

The emerging talent nominees in womenswear this year are Joseph Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung and Jason Wu.

In menswear, Tom Ford, with his return to fashion, will go against Michael Bastian, and Rag & Bone’s David Neville and Marcus Wainwright. Richard Chai, Patrik Ervell and Simon Spurr were nominated for the Swarovski rising star award — winners will receive financial support from the Austrian crystal company.

Perennial accessories designer of the year nominee Jacobs is also up against Alexis Bittar and Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The designers, editors, retailers and stylists who pick nominees named Eddie Borgo, Dana Lorenz and Wang as the ones to watch in accessories as well.

Michael Kors is slated to receive the lifetime achievement award, and model-turned-entrepreneur Iman is the year’s fashion icon.

The gala will be held on June 7.

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