Diotima’s Rachel Scott Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Her CFDAs Night

It’s been an incredibly busy year for Rachel Scott, the designer behind Diotima. Between being named runner-up for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, a finalist for the LVMH Prize, and dressing stars including Keke Palmer, Doja Cat, and Gabrielle Union, Scott has had more eyes on her work than ever. “This has been such a major year for Diotima with the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund prize and the LVMH finals, but those were both competitions that we applied for and worked really hard on,” she says. Still, earning a CFDA nomination for Emerging Designer of the Year came as a surprise to the Jamaican designer, who launched her label in 2021. “The nomination comes from the members of the CFDA, the designers and leaders of American fashion, and some of my heroes. To be nominated by this community is really such an honor and I still can’t believe they even know about me and the brand!”

Last night, Scott took home the award for Diotima, known for its mesmerizing, distinctive pieces that incorporate traditional crochet work from her native Jamaica. For the ceremony, Scott dressed Ayesha Curry, Aurora James, Ricky De Sole, and Eva Chen, as well as her guest, model Kai Newman. In helping them prepare for the evening, she was able to focus her nervous energy elsewhere. “For most of the lead up I had not been thinking about [the ceremony] much, because I really didn’t think I was going to be awarded,” she says. “Instead I focused on dressing an incredible and powerful group of women who so kindly asked me for their looks.” Still, friends and mentors encouraged Scott to enjoy her special night, which included Christopher John Rogers’s after party. Later, she adds, she plans to celebrate her win with her Diotima team and community.

While she may have outfitted the stars for the evening, Scott also had her own look on her mind. She chose to stay true to herself, jumping off of a go-to look. “My look was a dressed up version of how I dress everyday, a mixture of showing skin, while being covered up, my favorite crystal mesh with fringe for some ASMR drama while walking, a blazer with crochet from Jamaica, and a carved wood heart with gold leaf by Jamaican artist Laura Facey as a talisman,” she says. “I wanted to feel comfortable and like myself.”

Below, Scott brings Vogue behind the scenes of her CFDA Awards prep.