Last night, the fashion pack stateside threw their glad rags on and headed down to New York’s Park Avenue for the biggest night in American fashion: the CFDA Awards. This year, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and its chairman, Tom Ford, honoured a wealth of talent from both sides of the Atlantic.
Hosted by Emily Blunt, the night saw Christopher John Rogers take home the gong for Womenswear Designer of the Year, after dressing everyone from Lady Gaga and Lizzo, to Michaela Coel and the Vice President, Kamala Harris, as she was sworn into office in January. He was joined by sustainability maven Emily Bode, who took home Menswear Designer of the Year, and Edvin Thompson, who was crowned American Emerging Designer of the Year for his label Theophilio.
Elsewhere, Telfar Clemens took home the American Accessories Designer of the Year award for a second time following the global success of his Telfar shopper – AKA, the “Bushwick Burkin” – which has seen the designer collaborate with both Ugg and Moose Knuckles on new variations of the It bag.
On the international front, Demna Gvasalia picked up International Women’s Designer of the Year for reigniting Balenciaga’s couture after 50 years and creating viral fashion moments through the pandemic – who could forget The Simpsons episode? Taking home the International Men’s Designer of the Year was former LVMH Prize-winner Wales Bonner, who was applauded for her ability to translate intellectual explorations of the Black experience into poetic clothing.
On the celebrity front, Zendaya became the youngest person to take home the CFDA Fashion Icon award, Anya Taylor-Joy was crowned Face of the Year and Dapper Dan was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. For the full list of winners, read below:
Womenswear Designer of the Year:
Christopher John Rogers
Menswear Designer of the Year:
Emily Bode-Aujla for Bode
American Emerging Designer of the Year:
Edvin Thompson for Theophilio
International Womenswear Designer of the Year:
Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga
International Menswear Designer of the Year:
Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner
Accessories Designer of The Year:
Telfar Clemens for Telfar
The Fashion Icon Award:
Zendaya
The Face of the Year Award:
Anya Taylor-Joy
The Positive Social Influence Award:
The Model Alliance
The Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert:
Aurora James for the 15 Percent Pledge
The Environmental Sustainability Award:
Patagonia
The Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard:
Nina Garcia
The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dapper Dan
The Board of Directors’ Tribute:
Yeohlee Teng
Photography courtesy of the CFDA.