Kylie Jenner, Blake Lively and more honor designers at CDFA Awards
The Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards was held at the American Museum of Natural History, celebrating the best in American design talent.
NEW YORK — The CFDA Fashion Awards were full of surprises.
The surprises included a surprise appearance from Rihanna and an appearance by Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen at the American Museum of Natural History on Monday night.
While the first Monday in May is designated for the star-studded Met Gala, the first Monday in November this year was dedicated to the Oscars of fashion, hosted by Amazon. The Council of Fashion Designers of America’s annual event, highlighting the best of American fashion, was held for the third time on November 3 under the museum’s giant life-size blue whale.
Rihanna, 37, was on hand to support her partner and the night’s Fashion Icon honoree, A$AP Rocky, making her red carpet debut less than two months after giving birth to their third child, named Rocky.
When introducing rapper Rocky, 37-year-old Vogue magazine’s Anna Wintour playfully teased that Rocky’s daughter shares the same name.
“Telling Rocky he’s a fashion icon is like telling Carlos Alcaraz he’s a good backhander. There’s no indication that he’s a guy who needs to be told,” Winter said, drawing laughter from the audience. “A few years ago, when a member of the Vogue team asked who his biggest beauty influence was, Rocky’s answer was himself. When he brilliantly co-chaired the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ earlier this year, he cited himself as a source of inspiration for the exhibition. The CFDA just made it official. So, yes, Rocky is the guy to turn to when you want to boost your confidence.”
“He’s here with us tonight, less than two months after the birth of his third child, who is named Rocky,” she continued. “Yes, he is a muse in that respect as well.”
Rihanna and Rocky walked the white carpet together, with Lee rocking an Alaia outfit that included a black trench coat and white pleated slacks. Rocky wore a Chanel suit over a yellow sweater and cap-toe dress shoes.
“On a serious note, I just want to say that I am truly honored to receive this award. Yes, I agree. I am an icon. But I would be nothing without my friends and so many of you in the room,” Rocky said in his acceptance speech.
“Baby, baby, I love you,” he told Rihanna, who received the same honor in 2014. “You won this award a long time ago. Remember what I said, ‘You inspired me. I want to win it one day…all the awards one day.'” Remember? We did it, baby.”
The guest list is star-studded and eclectic. Kimora Lee Simmons, Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Ciara, Addison Rae, Saweetie, Renee Rupp, Mandy Moore, Stefon Diggs, Tyrik Withers, Britt Lower, and Angel Reese, to name a few.
There was Lily Allen, wearing a revenge dress and exposing her entire body (after her split with David Harbor). Love Island USA star Hollandria Carsen wears a curve-hugging brown strapless dress. and worn by Amber Valletta of Versace dress. And up-and-coming songstress Olivia Dean sang her song “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” with a sweet, crisp delivery.
A group of pot pie-wielding waiters weaved their way through the fashion crowd as top designers mingled with singers, athletes sat alongside pattern makers, milliners mingled with actors and reality stars.
Teyana Taylor served as host for the night, performing a variety of Thom Browne ensembles, releasing new music, and revealing that in addition to starring in the drama series “All’s Fair” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “One Battle After Another,” she is currently raising two children and attending culinary school.
She also scouted the room for the ensemble for the important occasion of jury duty. “In fact, I might have to call my brother A$AP Rocky in Harlem, because I know he knows something about this nasty case in court,” Taylor said.
Olsen Twins Give Rare Speech to Accept CFDA Award on ‘The Row’
The Olsen twins made a rare public speech to accept the Accessories Designer of the Year award. The 39-year-old sisters have won the award multiple times in recent years for their luxury brand The Row.
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen were on hand to receive the honor chosen by CFDA voting members. “From the bottom of my heart, we would like to thank our amazing customers for giving us the opportunity to do what we love,” said Ashley Olsen, who delivered her full speech while her sister Mary-Kate stood by her side.
Their names also came up in a speech by Sarah Moonves, W Magazine’s top editor and daughter of former CBS CEO Les Moonves, who won the Media Award (presented to her by friend and actress Jennifer Lawrence).
Moonves called the sisters “my best friends,” adding, “A little known fact is that I was on four episodes of ‘Full House,’ so my career could have gone in a completely different direction. It’s very rare to be able to say this about someone, but I can tell you that the three of us were lifelong friends.”
Amber Valletta honors Donatella Versace with JLo Versace dress
Ariana DeBose and Valletta introduced Donatella Versace, winner of the Positive Change Award.
Valletta wore the iconic deep neckline tropical print dress that Jennifer Lopez made infamous at the 2000 Grammys (and helped start Google Images). Valletta originally modeled the bold dress on the 1999 runway for Versace’s Spring/Summer 2000 show.
“She is the kind of attention-grabbing woman who creates moments and lives forever on red carpets, on magazine covers, on social media and, of course, in the history of pop culture,” DeBose said of Versace.
Versace emphasized the importance of creativity. “Great creativity comes from diversity. It has no color, no gender, no sexual orientation,” she said. “Business should never kill creativity.”
Ralph Lauren named among CFDA award winners
In his opening speech, CFDA President Tom Brown praised Diane Keaton and gave a nod to the upcoming New York City mayoral election. He presented the first award of the night to Ralph Rucci, who received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael Kors immediately rose to his feet and led an enthusiastic standing ovation for Lucci.
Ralph Lauren won the award at the age of 86, 30 years after winning in 1995.
Naomi Campbell gave a moving speech to Alaïa’s Peter Moulier, who was named International Designer of the Year. Campbell, who was the muse of Murier’s predecessor Azzedine Alaia, said: “Can anyone truly honor Azzedine’s extraordinary achievements?…Fortunately, Peter answered that call not with words, but with work and respect.”
Fear of God’s Jerry Lorenzo won the Innovation Award sponsored by Amazon Fashion and was introduced by award-winning director Ava DuVernay.
Julianne Moore presented her eponymous brand’s Founder’s Award to her friend, fashion designer Cynthia Rowley. “I feel so lucky every day that my job is to come up with an idea and make it happen,” Laurie said.
Andre Walker was honored by the board of directors in honor of the late Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo.
Full list of winners:
- American Womenswear Designer of the Year: ralph lauren
- American Menswear Designer of the Year: tom brown
- American Accessories Designer of the Year: Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen appear on The Row
- Google Shopping America’s Emerging Designers of the Year: Ashlyn Park for Ashlyn
- Lifetime Achievement Award: ralph lucci
- Positive Change Award: Donatella Versace
- Innovation Awards presented by Amazon Fashion: jerry lorenzo
- International Designer of the Year: Alaïa’s Pieter Moulier
- Board of Directors compliments: andre walker
- Founder’s Award: Cynthia Rowley
- Media Award: Sarah’s movements
Anika Reed is USA TODAY’s deputy entertainment editor, covering all things entertainment and pop culture. please find her Hit us up on Instagram, TikTok, or email ajreed@usatoday.com.
