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.”
