The CFDA Fashion Awards are back at the Museum of Natural History once again, with a ceremony hosted by Teyana Taylor under the iconic blue whale. This year’s nominees include both first-timers and icons of the industry. After Taylor brought the house down with her witty monologue, CFDA chairman Thom Browne delivered welcome remarks, and introduced the first honoree of the evening, the designer Ralph Rucci who was presented with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. Following the classic chicken pot pie dinner, the actress Naomi Watts took the stage to present the award for American Womenswear Designer of the Year. This year it went to Ralph Lauren, who originally won the Womenswear Designer prize back in 1995. Fun fact: Lauren picked up his first-ever CFDA Award when the ceremony was introduced back in 1981. 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. Stay tuned as we announce the rest of the evening’s winners as they happen.
Following a group of honorees that included Ariana DeBose and Amber Valletta presenting Donatella Versace with the Positive Change Award; the actress Julianne Moore presenting Cynthia Rowley with the Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert; and Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director of Vogue, presenting A$AP Rocky with the Fashion Icon Award, it was time for one of the evening’s next top honors.
The actor and Comedian Benito Skinner and designer Jennifer Fisher presented the American Accessory Designer of the year to Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen of The Row. The duo first won the award in 2015, and then again in 2018 and 2019. Stay tuned as we announce the rest of the evening’s winners as they happen.
