The future of American fashion shone bright at the CFDA awards in New York City.
American fashion was put on full display Monday night at the CFDA Awards presented by Amazon Fashion. Held at the iconic American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the event celebrated the work and creativity of the year’s brightest American designers.
The event program was stacked from beginning to end, with guests from Hollywood and the fashion world coming together to participate in the exciting festivities. Fashion was not the only topic present throughout the night, with attendees, speakers and awardees continuously emphasizing the power of fashion to become an agent of change. Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator for New York, delivered the event’s opening remarks. In a timely and important speech, she encouraged guests to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming presidential election. Guests including Ella Emhoff, Kylie Jenner and Addison Rae were then welcomed to the event by CFDA Chairman and prominent American fashion designer Thom Browne. Browne further set the tone of the night, delivering a speech speaking to the strength of individual voices, stories and creativity to change the world.
Actress, singer and Broadway star Cynthia Erivo served as the event’s host. Throughout the year, Erivo has fully committed to attending events in looks inspired by her character, Elphaba, in the upcoming release of movie-musical Wicked. The CFDA awards were no different, with Erivo channeling major Elphaba energy dressed in a hooded black gown designed by Zac Posen. Other program highlights included French singer, Yseult, performing her song “MTV” and Nian Fish showing a film rounding up American fashion highlights from the past year.
The CFDA awards were created by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. in the 1980s to recognize excellence in fashion design. Pillars of the not-for-profit trade association include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as Sustainability in Fashion. Let’s meet the winners of the four major awards of the night who each embody the CFDA’s mission in some way.
Rachel Scott of Diotima brought home one of the major awards of the night, being named American Womenswear Designer of the Year. The award was presented to her by Da’Vine Joy Randolph who won last year’s Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Holdovers. As the name of the award suggests, Scott exemplifies excellence in womenswear design. Scott has quickly established a name for herself in the fashion industry, winning the CFDA’s emerging designer award just last year. Her work reflects her lived experiences as a Jamaican woman and offers a nuanced vision of Caribbean style which is often subject to tropes and stereotypes.
Presented by singer Troye Sivan, Willy Chavarria was named the American Menswear Designer of the Year for the second year in a row. Launching his eponymous label in 2015, the Mexican-American designer masterfully intertwines his work with social messaging. Chavarria’s spring 2025 collection, América, that he debuted during this past New York Fashion Week shone a light on the forgotten workers of America. Models were dressed in re-imagined work uniforms paying homage to the likes of farm workers and construction laborers who form the backbone of our country. América featured a collaboration with the ACLU, raising awareness for the organization.
Raul Lopez of LUAR took home the American Accessory Designer of the Year award which was presented to him by Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. This marks Lopez’s second win in the category, having won the award back in 2022. LUAR, which is Rual’s name spelled backwards, launched in 2011 with the goal of representing the low and middle-income communities in New York that he grew up in. Hailing from the city, Lopez’s designs reflect his love for NYC nightlife, queer identity and Dominican heritage.
Last but certainly not least, Molly Gordon and Brandon Maxwell presented the Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year award to Henry Zankov. A big part of CFDA’s mission is to recognize emerging designers and the future of fashion, and this award does exactly that. Henry Zankov, Russian-American designer, launched ZANKOV in 2020 which specializes in colorful and bold knit-wear. Through his work, Zankov has explored the idea of visual language and storytelling, creating genderless and ready-to-wear products.
Scott, Chavarria, Lopez and Zankov all represent a new generation of fashion designers. Through championing their own unique stories and backgrounds through art, they each offer their own take on what it means to be an American designer and their respective awards serve to further solidify their names in the ever-evolving fashion conversation.
Homepage image singer Troye Sivan and CFDA winner Willy Chavarria. Inside image Paris Hilton, CFDA winner Raul Lopez and Nicole Richie. All images courtesy of CFDA/BFA.
