The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) organised its annual awards night on June 4, 2018, felicitating the most impact making talent in the fashion industry of the States.
The biggest awards of the night are Womenswear and Menswear Designer of the Year, the former was conferred to Raf Simons (for Calvin Klein), who bagged of these awards in 2017. The latter Menswear award was given to Supreme founder and creative head James Jebbia, making him the first streetwear designer to receive the honour.
Held at the Brooklyn Museum, the night also witnessed the reveal of an all prize to the list, titled ‘Influencer Award’, the honour was bestowed none other than global social media royalty Kim Kardashian West.
Another new tribute added to CFDA’s award folio was the ‘Member Salute’, given to Ralph Lauren for his 50 yearlong contribution to the business of fashion.
CFDA Chairwoman, Diane von Furstenberg, (who bagged the Award for Positive Change herself) added, “From starting with a tie at Bloomingdale’s to building a global brand, I respect and admire everything that Ralph Lauren stands for, including his philanthropy and kindness.”
Some other noteworthy winners of the night include Sander Lak, Sies Marjan who was named Emerging Talent of the Year, Naomi Campbell was 2018’s Fashion Icon. The International Award was rightfully handed over to Donatella Versace for continually upgrading the brand created by her late brother Gianni Versace.
Most of the names on the list are popular nominees already, however, both Kardashian and Jebbia’s (who surpassed big names like Virgil Abloh, Thom Browne and Tom Ford) win signal a new era for the crème de la crème on the American fashion scene.
Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA said, “The range and depth of talent honoured at the CFDA Fashion Awards is the perfect proof that American fashion is a global powerhouse.”
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