"Welcome to the club," Diane von Furstenberg announced to the new inductees of the CFDA at her studio on West 14th Street on Monday night. "I am so happy to have you here." With the organization receiving more applications than ever this year, the group of 30 designers was as varied as could be. They range from those working in the American couturier tradition (Rodarte) to people who have taken T-shirts and other basics to new levels (James Perse, Generra) to a one-woman powerhouse (Tory Burch). "It was a bit like being in a classroom," said lingerie designer Jean Yu of the requisite group photo. "It kind of reminded me of school." Nearby, Abaeté's Laura Poretzky fiddled with her orchid boutonniere while Richard Chai got reflective. "As a young designer who has struggled, I'm so glad that I'll be able to help out future young designers," he said. Among those greeting the freshmen was Peter Som, who, having just nabbed the creative director position at Bill Blass, could be considered this year's senior-class valedictorian. "I've been a member for seven years," he said, taking in DVF's massive whitewashed studio. "What we all hope for is to have something like this—even a place that has stairs like this would be nice."

— Sarah Cristobal