Cheers to American Fashion! Inside the 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards Dinner and 20th Anniversary Celebration
A who’s who of American fashion design, top emerging talents, and a host of stylish celebs arrived at Monkey Bar in Midtown East Manhattan tonight—all there to celebrate 20 years of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and the 2024 winners and runners-up. The party—which followed the New York installment of Vogue’s Forces of Fashion held during the day—culminated with sister design duo Dynasty and Soull Ogun of L’Enchanteur claiming the top prize. But beforehand, drinks, photo ops, and rave reviews of the night’s decadent meal abounded inside the storied NYC restaurant.
The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour at the bar, during which the crowd chatted over martinis, margaritas, and sparkling water before being ushered into the dining room for dinner. Guests included David and Victoria Beckham (the latter in a backless cowl-neck dress from her namesake label), Jeremy O.Harris wearing a dapper suit, and Jean Paul Gaultier, who spent much of the night fielding compliments about his Forces of Fashion discussion with Jordan Roth earlier in the day. Of course, also present were all 2024 CVFF finalists: Sebastien and Marianne Amisial of Sebastien Ami, Kate Barton, Grace Ling, Connor McKnight, L’Enchanteur by Dynasty and Soull Ogun, Presley Oldham, Spencer Phipps of Phipps, Taylor Thompson of 5000, Jane Wade, and Jackson Wiederhoeft of Wiederhoeft.
Following a meal that included truffle bucatini, miso glazed cod, and a crowd-pleasing Caesar salad (“This is the best Caesar salad I’ve ever had in my life,” 2019 CVFF runner-up Danielle Hirsch was overheard saying), CFDA CEO Steven Kolb took the mic to address the crowd.
“Twenty years ago, I don’t think any of us knew the impact the CFDA/Vogue Fashion fund would have not only on American fashion but on the global fashion industry,” Kolb said, adding that CVFF is one of the first programs to support emerging talent, and has served as a blueprint for fashion councils across the globe. “We actually launch the careers of so many designers; a new generation of American talent.” Likening CVFF to a family, Kolb asked former finalists to raise their hands; Taofeek Abijako of Head of State, Fe Noel, and Christopher John Rogers were just a few with arms stretched in the air.
Kolb went on to thank the 2024 judges—VP of Fashion at Meta Eva Chen, VP and Fashion Director at Nordstrom Rickie de Sole, model Paloma Elsesser, Brother Vellies Creative Director and Fifteen Percent Pledge Founder Aurora James, SVP and Fashion Director at Saks Roopal Patel, and Vogue’s Mark Holgate and Nicole Phelps—before noting the caliber of talent among the finalists. “I have done this as a judge for eighteen years, and I have to say, this might have been the most difficult year yet,” Kolb shared. “But we came to a really great decision.”
Next to address the crowd was Gap, Inc. creative director Zac Posen, who emphasized the importance of support from fellow designers, recalling how Tom Ford and Domenico De Sole underwrote his second collection. “They took a leap of faith, and it changed my life. I wouldn’t be here today, I don’t believe if they hadn’t.”
Already sponsors of the night’s festivities, Gap, Inc. delivered more goodwill with a special CVFF 20th Anniversary Mentorship Award. “The winner is Grace Ling!” Posen announced. Applause ensued as the designer accepted, wearing a cut-out black dress of her own design, a metal rose winding up the bodice. Ling will receive a year of mentorship from Posen and his design team in New York and San Francisco.
Later, Olympian Gabby Thomas took the mic and minced no words when introducing herself. “You probably know me from winning three gold medals in Paris this summer,” Thomas said to the crowd, who cheered in response. “My first big win, though, happened when I won the NCAA Championships my junior year in college. I hope that the names that I’m about to read will feel this as their big win, and that will lead to many golden moments in their future.” With that, Thomas announced the 2024 CVFF runners-up—Spencer Phipps of Phipps and Jackson Wiederhoeft of Wiederhoeft—and winning label, L’Enchanteur by Dynasty and Soull Ogun. (In addition to mentorship from leading industry professionals, Phipps and Wiederhoeft will each receive $100,000 to grow their businesses, while the Ogun sisters will receive $300,000.)
“Thank you so much to everyone in the buildings and to everyone who supported us throughout this whole journey,” an emotional Dynasty said upon accepting the award. “And to all of our peers, you guys are amazing… I don’t have any words.” After thanking their parents, she passed the mic to Soull, who offered this: “Thank you so much to the judges, you guys have been so inspirational throughout this journey—all of your advice has helped us along the way. And thank you to everyone here. We hope to make you all proud.” Judging by the smiles, tears, and enthusiasm in the crowd, they already have.
Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com1/44Jackson Wiederhoeft, Grace Ling, Zac Posen, Steven Kolb, Anna Wintour, Dynasty Ogun, Soull Ogun, Spencer Phipps
Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com2/44Paloma Elsesser, Winnie Harlow
