The 2019 CFDA Fashion Awards: Inside the biggest night in American fashion
Fashion connoisseurs around the world prep for what is largely considered the Super Bowl of fashion.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
By Sandra Sparrowhawk | May 30, 2019
It’s that time of year again! On June 3rd 2019, the Council of Fashion Designers of America will once again host its annual CFDA Fashion Awards, to be held at the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
Some of this year’s nominees include Virgil Abloh with two nominations, for both Menswear and Accessory Designer of the Year, while Sander Lak for Sies Marjan, who won the Emerging Talent trophy last year, is now vying for Womenswear Designer of the Year.
They are joined by Brandon Maxwell and Rosie Assoulin, who took home the Emerging Talent award in 2016 and 2015, respectively, as well as Marc Jacobs and Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy, who have all been nominated in this category before.
With such an exciting line-up ahead, let’s take a look back through the Reuters archives to revisit some of last year’s lucky winners:
1. Ralph Lauren receives members salute
In one of the highlights of the event, almost 20 designers came together to pay tribute to fashion icon Ralph Lauren, who celebrated his brand’s 50th anniversary last year. Among the designers to honour the veteran were Vera Wang (who worked for Lauren for 2 years), Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Alexander Wang, Donna Karan and Diane von Fürstenberg.
In his poignant accepting speech, Lauren said: “I know what it is to start and I know what it is to enjoy success, and I also know that this industry is not easy,” before thanking the CFDA for nurturing young talent. “This is not the end, this is the beginning of fashion and so many things that are coming our way.”
The 32-year old designer sisters were recognized as Accessories Designers of the Year for their fashion label The Row, which they founded in 2006. In a rare address to the public, Mary-Kate-Olsen said: “This goes out to everyone who is in this industry. It’s a hard industry and we are really proud to be a part of it.”
The evening’s winners also included social media sensation Kim Kardashian West, who secured the event’s most controversial gong: the first-ever Influencer Award.
“I’m kind of shocked I’m winning a fashion award when I’m naked most of the time,” she famously quipped. “It’s really a trip to me that now I’m up here getting an award for fashion when it’s something that I’ve always loved so thank you so much for this. It means a lot.”
She’s been known as one of the world’s biggest supermodels for over two decades, and fans and fashion world alike agree: Campbell’s crowning as fashion icon was long overdue.
Thanking the CFDA in a statement, she said:
“Being from London, my personal style has always been tremendously influenced by both the dynamic, ever-changing nature of street culture and the music scene.”
“I grew up in this industry and I’m forever grateful to the iconic American fashion designers who have supported and celebrated me throughout my career.”
As the chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the CFDA Fashion Awards mark a significant night for Diane von Fürstenberg every year. 2018, however, was especially emotional for the fashion designer as she herself was nominated – and honored – with the Swarovski Award for Positive Change by her fellow peers.
A household name around the world, von Fürstenberg was recognized both for being a role model to young women and her commitment to empowering women who are eager to foster change in their communities and around the globe.