The annual CFDA Fashion Awards, often heralded as the “Oscars of American Fashion,” returned to the American Museum of Natural History with a distinct and noticeable shift in tone. Hosted by the multi-talented Teyana Taylor, the night’s most prestigious trophies were awarded to a trio of established, globally recognized powerhouses: Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, and The Row. This consensus marked a subtle but profound pivot toward classicism and the enduring appeal of “quiet luxury,” standing in contrast to the diverse and boundary-pushing winners of recent years. Yet, the evening was far from predictable, celebrating the monumental influence of honorees like A$AP Rocky and Donatella Versace, while simultaneously spotlighting the fresh vision of emerging talents and media innovators. It was a night that reaffirmed the foundational strength of American design, even as it acknowledged the ever-expanding cultural landscape that fashion must navigate.
The Triumph of Classicism: Top Designer Awards
The most anticipated awards of the evening—the American Designer of the Year titles—delivered a powerful message: in a rapidly changing industry, enduring quality and brand heritage still command the highest respect.
Ralph Lauren secured the coveted American Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, marking a significant win for a titan of Americana and traditional luxury. This victory underscored the continued resonance of his half-century-long vision, beating out strong competition that represented a more contemporary and diverse fashion scene, including the innovative Rachel Scott for Diotima and the polished modernity of Daniella Kallmeyer and Tory Burch. Lauren’s win signaled a broad industry endorsement of timeless elegance and the reassuring comfort of established taste, rewarding a legacy built on the meticulous refinement of the American lifestyle.
The prize for American Menswear Designer of the Year went to Thom Browne, the current Chairman of the CFDA. Known for his playful yet rigorously structured tailoring, Browne’s victory celebrated the designer’s relentless commitment to his unique, conceptual aesthetic. The designer’s ability to turn formal structure into a theatrical statement, often featuring extreme proportions and subversive details, confirms his status as a visionary force shaping the global conversation around menswear. The Accessories category followed suit in celebrating refinement, with Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen of The Row winning American Accessory Designer of the Year. The Olsens’ brand has become synonymous with extreme minimalism and investment-level luxury, proving that their quiet, meticulously considered approach to design—where every detail matters—is currently the definitive statement in modern American luxury.
The Crown of Icons: A$AP Rocky and Donatella Versace
Beyond the competitive categories, the CFDA Awards celebrated the careers of influential figures whose impact extends far beyond the runway, shaping popular culture and driving social change.
The highly prestigious Fashion Icon award was presented to rapper A$AP Rocky, who was escorted by his partner, previous award recipient Rihanna. This recognition cemented Rocky’s status as a generational style influencer, acknowledging his fearless approach to blending high-fashion tailoring with street-style bravado and his consistent role in breaking gender norms within luxury clothing. Receiving the award from Anna Wintour provided a powerful image of his official induction into fashion’s elite firmament, signifying that his personal style is now recognized as a global economic and cultural force. The award not only celebrated his individual style journey but also highlighted the expanding definition of a fashion icon in the digital age.
Another major moment was the presentation of the Positive Change Award to Donatella Versace. The award honored her decades-long influence and her continued commitment to promoting inclusivity and body positivity within the brand’s imagery and casting. The tribute was made especially memorable when presenter Amber Valletta stepped out in the legendary low-cut green “Jungle Dress,” a piece Valletta originally wore on the Versace runway and which later became iconic on Jennifer Lopez. This symbolic moment tied Versace’s influential past directly to her ongoing commitment to fashion’s future, celebrating her as a titan who consistently uses her platform to advocate for a more expressive and diverse industry.
The Next Generation: Spotlight on Emerging Talent
While the top competitive awards favored the established guard, the Emerging Designer category focused keenly on the future, identifying the voices poised to define the next era of American style.
The Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year award went to Ashlyn Park for her eponymous label, Ashlyn. Park, who boasts an impressive pedigree having previously worked as a pattern maker for powerhouses like Yohji Yamamoto and Calvin Klein, stood out from a strong group of nominees including Taylor Thompson and Bernard James. Her win celebrated her technical expertise and her disciplined approach to modern clothing construction. Her label is distinguished by a focus on sharp, sophisticated tailoring combined with inventive structural details, suggesting that the future of American design will be both technically accomplished and deeply rooted in considered quality.
The award was presented by former CFDA winner Christopher John Rogers and emerging pop culture figure Addison Rae, a pairing that emphasized the bridge between industry approval and mainstream visibility. The Emerging Designer prize is a critical launching pad, providing the recipient with significant attention and support from the CFDA’s networks. Park’s victory reinforced the notion that true success in fashion requires not only creative vision but also the foundational technical skills honed through rigorous professional experience.
A Global and Media Perspective: International Influence and Editorial Vision
The evening also recognized the vital connections between American fashion and the broader global and media ecosystem, honoring those who shape perception and elevate international craft.
Pieter Mulier was honored with the International Designer of the Year award for his masterful creative direction at the house of Alaïa. Taking the reins of a brand with such a revered and distinct heritage following the passing of its founder, Mulier has successfully maintained the house’s signature blend of sculptural tailoring and feminine power while subtly evolving its aesthetic for a new generation. Presented by supermodel and longtime Alaïa muse Naomi Campbell, the tribute celebrated Mulier’s ability to balance reverence for the past with a forward-looking creative sensibility, ensuring the label remains one of the world’s most critically acclaimed and influential.
The Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard was given to Sara Moonves, the Editor-in-Chief of W Magazine. Presented by her close friend, actress Jennifer Lawrence, the award recognized Moonves’s transformative leadership and creative impact on the magazine. Lawrence offered a witty and affectionate appraisal of Moonves’s success, describing her as dressing “like Coco Chanel, but has the work ethic of Genghis Khan.” Moonves’s tenure at W has been marked by the creation of an editorial world that is both “aspirationally intellectual and also chic,” successfully navigating the complex landscape of print media with a distinctive, high-concept visual language that remains both artistic and culturally relevant.
Lifetime Dedication and Innovation: The Founders’ Tributes
Finally, the awards celebrated the individuals who have dedicated their lives to advancing the art of fashion, whether through decades of couture practice or groundbreaking technological application.
The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ralph Rucci, recognizing his half-century of contribution to American couture. Rucci is celebrated for his relentless pursuit of technical excellence and luxurious craftsmanship, operating at the highest echelons of design where every piece is a work of painstakingly executed art. His honor serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the rare and complex skills required to execute true haute couture within the American fashion landscape.
Other significant honors included the Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert, presented to Cynthia Rowley by Julianne Moore, celebrating Rowley’s accessible and enduring contribution to contemporary American style. The Innovation Award, presented by Ava DuVernay, went to Jerry Lorenzo for his brand Fear of God, acknowledging his pivotal role in creating the category of high-end luxury streetwear that has fundamentally altered the global market. Furthermore, Andre Walker received the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Tribute, rounding out a night that honored established commercial successes, cutting-edge street style, and the ultimate purists of the craft.
