Not only are the CFDA Fashion Awards in collaboration with Swarovski the most important event of its kind in American fashion, they are also one of the few times a year that so many different fashion players come together in one place at the same time. “This is my sixth or seventh CFDA’s,” said Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet as guests arrived at Hammerstein Ballroom on 34th Street. “Lincoln Center, here, wherever, it’s always a great night.”

Cocktail hour proved to be not only a discussion of who might take home the night’s top honors, or who could be making a surprise appearance, it was also an opportunity for friends to compare their summer plans. Dannijo’s Jodie Snyder Morel talked about her new weekend house in Connecticut. Sofia Sanchez de Betak discussed an upcoming horseback safari to Africa, and Tanya Taylor said that her husband was at home packing for their flight to Capri the next morning.

Joel McHale was on hand to host the ceremony, and the comedian didn’t pull any punches when it came to poking fun at the fashion industry – down to the food at the event, joking that this must be a very easy one for caterers as all anyone requests is sparkling water with parsley.

Some of the evening’s more endearing remarks came from Swarovski Award for Womenswear winner Brandon Maxwell. “I’m a slightly overweight boy from Texas, where my idea of a fine meal is something rolled into a ball and deep fried,” Maxwell said. “I was so nervous about putting on pants that weren’t elastic waist…and that there would be three forks at dinner and I would use the wrong one. But I’d like to thank my father who manages my business, and my mother, who always tells me I’m doing awesome even when I’m not.”

The Swarovski Award for Menswear went to Alex, Matthew and Samantha Orley of Orley. “Last year, we were seated in the last row of the balcony, so this is a nice change in perspective,” Matthew Orley offered.

It was by equal measure inspiring to see Michael Kors present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Norma Kamali, and Calvin Klein present the Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert to Donna Karan. Insiders know that Klein and Karan are longtime friends and frequently travel together. “Well, Cal, where’s our next trip?” Karan quipped before touching on the fashion’s famous Battle of Versailles, Anne Klein, and her fashion family.

The importance of fashion family also came through in Swarovski Award for Accessory Design recipient Paul Andrew’s remarks who lauded the American Fashion community. “It’s precisely the embrace of this industry that compels me,” he said. “You guys have been an integral part of my success. American fashion is at the top of its game, and despite my British upbringing, you guys have made me feel a part of this community.”

Other international winners last night included Canadian-British Imran Amed, who was given the Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard forThe Business of Fashion, and Gucci’s Alessandro Michele, who was honored with the International Award.

There were plenty more heartfelt moments throughout. Menswear Designer of the Year Thom Browne, in his signature shorts, thanked partner Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, calling him the “love of my life.” Womenswear Designer of the Year Marc Jacobs acknowledged his design team. Accessory Designer of Year recipients Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel of Mansur Gavriel charmingly recalled how visibly shaken they were when they won a Swarovski Award last year, and Ansel Elgort did a little tapdance when he and Karlie Kloss presented the Swarovski Awards for Emerging Talent.

Tilda Swinton, meanwhile, read out a letter to the late David Bowie, who was honored with the Board of Directors’ Tribute. Iman had asked her to accept the award on what would have been her 24^th wedding anniversary with the legend.

The evening’s greatest surprise: Beyoncé! Guests had no idea the superstar was in the house when CFDA Chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg presented her with the Fashion Icon award. Beyoncé, an inspiration in her own right, said that she is inspired by her own mother, Tina Knowles. “When we were starting out in Destiny’s Child, high-end labels didn’t want to dress four black country girls,” she told the audience. “We couldn’t afford designer dresses. My mom was rejected from every showroom in New York. But like my grandmother, she used her talent and creativity to give her children their dreams. My mother and my Uncle Jonny designed all of our first costumes and made each piece by hand. And when I wore these clothes onstage, I felt like I had an extra suit of armor. It was so much deeper than any brand name…my mother and my uncle and my grandmother were with me…I couldn’t fail.”

That, she added, “ is the true power and potential of fashion. It’s a tool for finding your own identity, expression, and strength.”

Jennifer Hudson’s finale – a medley of Prince’s “When Doves Cry,” “The Beautiful Ones,” and “Let’s Go Crazy” – had the fashion crowd on its feet and ready to keep partying.