Is this the best dress in America?

You may not think so, but its designer, Marc Jacobs, has been nominated for fashion’s biggest award.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, the style world’s governing body, held their annual awards gala last night, draping the New York Public Library in glittering Swarovski crystals and sending shimmering celebs - from Sarah Michelle Gellar to Sean Combs - up the building’s stone steps.

The most coveted prize of the evening, aside from the chance to get a glimpse of Kate Moss: The Womenswear Designer of the Year award, also known as fashion’s Oscar.

This year, familiar names like Ralph Lauren (who won in ’95) and celeb fave Narciso Rodriguez (’02 and ’03) were left off the docket.

Instead, three relative surprises vied for the top-dog trophy: Jacobs, along with Vera Wang and Ralph Rucci for Chado Ralph Rucci.

Wang, best known for her bridal confections, has been steadily building a ready-to-wear line on the Fashion Week runways. You may never have heard of veteran Rucci, but he makes sure his very loyal - and very wealthy - clientele look consistently elegant.

As for trendsetter Jacobs, while many believed his 2005 collections - poufy taffeta for spring, dreary tents for fall - were a fashion risk gone awry, hardcore fashion fans believe he’s a visionary.

"He completely rethought the silhouette and the mood," says Anne Slowey, fashion news director for Elle magazine. "And was obviously braver than most for doing so."

Other honorees included Moss, for her fashion influence, and designer Norma Kamali, who got a special tribute.