Ralph Lauren Is the Womenswear Designer of the Year—See All the CFDA Fashion Awards Winners
The CFDA Fashion Awards returned to the Museum of Natural History, this time with a ceremony hosted by the super star actress/comedian/writer/director/dancer/choreographer/and all-around cool girl Teyana Taylor, as she so cleverly shared at the beginning of her monologue (and we are definitely missing a few other job titles in here). The year’s nominees included a mix of first-timers and icons of the industry, who “make American fashion the best that it can be,” as CFDA chairman Thom Browne shared in his welcoming remarks.
Quickly, Browne also introduced the evening’s first honoree, the designer Ralph Rucci, who received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. “My career has always been about trying to find the nucleus, the quietude of fashion,” said Rucci, who recently celebrated his 45th year in the business. “I like the work to be about the internal belief, and the importance of silence.” He finished by paying homage to the women in his life who have inspired him, and the 67 artisans that he’s worked with throughout his career. “You’re nothing unless you have an atelier that speaks with you,” he said. “They don’t work for you, they work with you.”
Following the classic chicken pot pie dinner underneath the museum’s iconic blue whale, the actress Naomi Watts took the stage to present the American Womenswear Designer of the Year. “Wow, I feel so blessed to present this award to a very special designer, a legend who created a universe the entire world thinks of when they think about American Fashion at its best,” she said as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause in recognition despite the fact she hadn’t yet said his name. It was Ralph Lauren, of course, who accepted the statuette from his seat near the stage. Fun fact: Lauren picked up his first-ever CFDA Award when the ceremony was introduced back in 1981; and his first Womenswear Designer prize back in 1995. In the decades since he has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award (1992), the Menswear Designer of the Year nod (1996), an Award for Humanitarian Leadership for his commitment to breast cancer advocacy (1997), the American Fashion Legend Award (2007), a special Member’s Tribute to honor his 50th anniversary in the business (2018), and even the Popular Vote Award, a short-lived public prize, in 2009.
Next, Donatella Versace was honored with the Positive Change Award for her work with the LGBTQ community, by Ariana DeBose—in one Versace’s signature chainmail dresses—and Amber Valletta—in the same jungle print gown she wore to open the designer’s spring 2000 show (the dress that was later made famous by JLo). “This work is vital, making the world a better place for the next generation,” Versace said. “Great creativity is born from diversity; it has no color, no gender, no sexual orientation; it lives in every voice. Fearless people make fearless fashion.”
The actress Julianne Moore presented Cynthia Rowley with the Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert. “This is an unbelievable honor, never in a billion years did I expect this,” Rowley said. “Nothing gives me more satisfaction and joy than the work.” Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director of Vogue, gave A$AP Rocky the Fashion Icon Award: “When, a few years ago, a member of the Vogue team asked who his greatest beauty influence was, Rocky s answer was himself. When earlier this year he so brilliantly co-chaired the Met exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” he cited himself as the inspiration. For the whole exhibition,” she said laughing, adding, “the CFDA is just making it official.” Rocky took the stage dressed in a custom look from Chanel by Matthieu Blazy with a big smile on his face, his charisma truly his most essential accessory. “It’s a real honor to be the recipient of this award. Yes, I agree, I’m an icon, but I’m nothing without my peers. I want to dedicate this today to all the risk-takers, all the rule-breakers out there. Y’all know who y’all are.”
The actor and comedian Benito Skinner and designer Jennifer Fisher handed over the American Accessory Designer prize to Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen of The Row, who first won the award in 2015, and then again in 2018 and 2019. Ashley thanked the stores and their “amazing customers who allow us to do what we love, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” The director Ava DuVernay introduced Fear of God’s Jerry Lorenzo, who took home this year’s Innovation Award presented by Amazon Fashion. “Our intention at Fear of God has never been to innovate but to be honest,” he said. “If honesty and authenticity are considered innovative ways of working, then I humbly accept this award.”
A surprise musical performance by the British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean was a delightful break. She performed an almost-unplugged rendition of her single “So Easy (To Fall In Love).” The up-and-comer was followed by another singer and fashion darling, Addison Rae, who along with designer (and fellow fashion darling) Christopher John Rogers, gigglingly presented the Google American Emerging Designer award, which went to Ashlynn’s Ashlyn Park, who tearfully took the stage and stated, “I feel like I am on the moon right now.” She is also a finalist in the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, whose winner will be revealed next Monday.
Immediately following, Naomi Campbell took the stage to introduce Pieter Mulier who received the International Designer of the Year for his work at Alaïa, which the supermodel knows intimately. “Congratulations Pieter. Thank you for carrying Azzedine’s spirit forward into this new generation. Papa would be proud,” she said, referring to Azzedine who over the years became a father figure for her. “To be honest I never thought of accepting a prize so far, but I have to say I changed my mind with this one because it creates a moment in time where one can stand still, and reflect, and realize that all the hard work that we do is appreciated and celebrated,” Mulier said. “Fashion without the glamour is hard work.” The Belgian designer also got one of the biggest laughs of the night when he thanked his team—who was seated at a nearby table—but said he wouldn’t share their names “because there are headhunters in the room.”
Afterwards, Vogue’s Nicole Phelps took the stage to introduce Andre Walker, who was honored with the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Tribute. “Andre wasn’t just ahead of his time, he made his own time,” she said. Walker was visibly nervous when accepting his award, saying “thank you for the helpful support, mentoring, and patience.” In a poignant moment he directed everyone to look at the screen on stage, on which a list of credits rolled like at the end of the film. It was everyone he wished to thank.
The actress Jennifer Lawrence introduced her friend, W magazine’s editor-in-chief Sara Moonves, “who dresses like Coco Chanel but has the work ethic of Genghis Khan,” as this year’s recipient of the Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard. Moonves, who began her career at Vogue, said, “the best compliment that I often receive about our magazine is that it looks like we re having fun, and we are!”
Closing out the evening were Mark Ronson, Dao-Yi Chow, and Maxwell Osborne, who handed out the award for American Menswear Designer of the Year. The honors went to Thom Browne, who accepted the award for the fourth time in his career (he also won in 2006, 2013, and 2016). Browne thanked his team and, ever the romantic, his partner Andrew Bolton. “The biggest inspiration in my life, the most special person, the most beautiful person, and I think the most important person in fashion who really champions all of our work at the highest level.” And thus wrapped up another CFDA Fashion Awards, a few minutes short of 11pm. Until next year…
Photographed by Hunter Abrams1/82Amber Valletta, Donatella Versace, and Ariana DeBose
Photographed by Hunter Abrams2/82Alaïa’s Pieter Mulier
