The CFDA Awards are arguably the biggest night in the fashion world. They rival events like the Met Gala and its counterpart across the pond, the British Awards, but tonight’s event certainly holds a special place for anyone who respects the work of so many domestic and international designers who’ve been honored over the past 30-plus years. All this is to say, naturally, the red carpet is impressive. Of course, since the event is so huge, and so stylish. We’ve narrowed down our favorite looks that lit up the Hammerstein Ballroom tonight. Trust us: These are the looks everyone will be talking about in the morning (probably until next year’s awards, too).
DIANA KRUGER
Wearing: Monse Dress
EVA CHEN
Wearing: Versace Summer Collection
ELSA HOSK
Wearing: Philopsphy dress and Valentino shoes.
Not only did we want to share our favorite looks of the night, we also wanted to share the winners of the night. And while it might technically seem impossible to compare Marc Jacobs, Raf Simons, and Joseph Altuzarra, a few designers did come out on top this evening—in fact, one designer more so than anyone else. See the complete list of winners below.
Womenswear Designer of the Year
- Raf Simons for Calvin Klein
Menswear Designer of the Year
- Raf Simons for Calvin Klein
Accessory Designer of the Year
- Stuart Vevers for Coach
Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent
- Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia for Monse
Swarovski Award for Positive Change Recipient
- Kenneth Cole
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
- Rick Owens
Founder’s Award Recipient
- Pat McGrath
International Award Recipient
- Demna Gvasalia for Vetements and Balenciaga
Board of Directors’ Tribute Recipients
- Cecile Richards, Gloria Steinem, and Janelle Monáe
Fashion Icon Award Recipient
- Franca Sozzani
Receiving an honor from the Council of Fashion Designers of America is one of the highest recognition’s that someone within the fashion industry can claim. But choosing one per category for the 2017 awards had to have been a very, very difficult decision. Last month the CFDA announced its official list of nominated artists, filled with both industry vets like Marc Jacobs and newcomers but only to the United States such as Raf Simons, for his short but highly impressive work at Calvin Klein. Also among the nominations are the potential recipients of the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent that celebrates so many of the talented labels we can’t stop talking about, including Off-White, Monse, and Brock Collection.
Of course, along with the annual awards, the CFDA will also honor many of the women and men who make positive change and set the bar high for what they do. This year specially, three individuals will be recognized for their work in the Women’s March, each having used her voice and talents in a different way: Cecile Richards, Gloria Steinem, and Janelle Monáe. And in the most bittersweet moment tonight, the CFDA announced that Franca Sozzani, the late editor in chief of Vogue Italia who passed away in December, will posthumously receive the Fashion Icon Award.
Below is a list of the 2017 CFDA Aware Nominees and Honorees.
Womenswear Designer of the Year Nominees
- Joseph Altuzarra for Altuzarra
- Raf Simons for Calvin Klein
- Marc Jacobs
- Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
- Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row
Menswear Designer of the Year Nominees
- Raf Simons for Calvin Klein
- Robert Geller
- Thom Browne
- Tim Coppens
- Todd Snyder
Accessory Designer of the Year Nominees
- Stuart Vevers for Coach
- Irene Neuwirth
- Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel for Mansur Gavriel
- Paul Andrew
- Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row
Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent Nominees
- Laura Vassar Brock and Kristopher Brock for Brock Collection
- Gabriela Hearst
- Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia for Monse
- Virgil Abloh for Off-White
- Sander Lak for Sies Marjan
Swarovski Award for Positive Change Recipient
- Kenneth Cole
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
- Rick Owens
Founder’s Award Recipient
- Pat McGrath
International Award Recipient
- Demna Gvasalia for Vetements and Balenciaga
Board of Directors’ Tribute Recipients
- Cecile Richards, Gloria Steinem, and Janelle Monáe
Fashion Icon Award Recipient
- Franca Sozzani
We hope you enjoyed the CDFA Awards as much as we do! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Xx,B