To receive the Vogue Business newsletter, sign up here.
On Monday night, New York’s fashion crowd flocked to the American Museum of Natural History for the annual CFDA Awards honouring the best of American fashion, established and emerging.
Khaite’s Catherine Holstein took home the womenswear designer of the year award for the second year in a row, beating out Altuzarra’s Joseph Altuzarra, Christopher John Rogers, Tory Burch and Luar’s Raul Lopez.
Willy Chavarria won the menswear designer of the year award. He was up against Amiri’s Mike Amiri, KidSuper’s Colm Dillane, Teddy Vonranson’s Teddy von Ranson, and Thom Browne. Emily Bode Aujla took home the award last year.
The Row’s Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen won the accessories designer of the year award — though neither was present at the ceremony. Other contenders were Ana Khouri, Brandon Blackwood, Coach’s Stuart Vevers and Luar’s Raul Lopez (who won last year).
Diotima’s Rachel Scott (who was also a runner up in this year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund) was presented with the emerging designer of the year award. “I don’t think there is anywhere in the world that I could have done this but New York,” she said in her acceptance speech. Other brands in the running were Bach Mai, Connor McKnight, Tanner Fletcher’s Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell and Puppets And Puppets’s Carly Mark. Past winners include Elena Velez, Christopher John Rogers and Bode Aujla.
It’s one of the most exciting categories, says Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. “It’s such a great mix of designers — they’re very unique in their approach and creativity. You’ve got Rachel [Scott’s] Jamaican heritage; Bach Mai’s Asian influence; the Fletcher guys have that Midwestern sensibility,” he said. “It’s always a category that’s reflective of the times and fashion being so culturally connected.”
It’s a key milestone, Scott told Vogue Business ahead of the ceremony, which was also her first CFDA Awards. “This more than anything is so special because you’re nominated by people who are the leaders of the industry,” the award winner said.
This year’s awards marked Thom Browne’s first as chairman of the CFDA – the designer has been in the role since January 2023. He wore a skirt to the ceremony, rather than his signature shorts. For the first time, designers presented awards alongside celebrities, including Prabal Gurung, Narciso Rodriguez and Zac Posen.
As for the rest of the winners: the board of directors tribute went to Vera Wang for her impact on the bridal category; the founder’s award in honour of Eleanor Lambert went to Domenico De Sole; Maria Cornejo, who has sat on the CFDA’s board of directors since 2019, was awarded the Geoffrey Beene lifetime achievement award; Alina Cho won the media award in honour of Eugenia Sheppard; Mara Hoffman received the environmental sustainability award; and Serena Williams won the fashion icon award.
Actress Greta Lee presented Jonathan Anderson with the international designer of the year award for JW Anderson and Loewe, and Gwenyth Paltrow accepted the second innovation award on behalf of her wellness and lifestyle brand Goop.
Comments, questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@voguebusiness.com.
More from this author:
Behind the scenes of Revolve’s AI-generated drop
