Last night the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards took place in New York City in the presence of models and celebrities from the worlds of fashion, film, music….and this year, comedy.   The annual event recognizes the outstanding contributions made to American fashion by individuals from all areas of the industry and related arts, with awards being given for design excellence in womenswear, menswear, and accessories as well as extraordinary accomplishments in journalism, creative vision, and lifetime achievement.

This year the CFDA honored individuals recognized for their bold creativity and out-of-the box thinking presenting awards to  Marc Jacobs as womenswear designer of the year, Thom Browne (one of our personal favorites) as menswear designer of the year and Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel as accessories designer of the year.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Norma Kamali, famous for her “sleeping bag” coats and her swimsuits, including the red one made famous by Farrah Fawcett in her iconic poster. Donna Karan was presented with the Founder’s Award from her friend and designer Calvin Klein.

But the most exciting and surprising turn of the evening came when designer Diane von Furstenberg took the stage to introduce Beyoncé as winner of the Fashion Icon Award.  In past years this award has been announced with the nominees in April, but not so this year.  In presenting the award Ms. Von Furstenberg noted that Beyoncé represents everything women aspire to be. “The image of a woman in charge has never looked more glamorous,” the designer said.  Accepting her award in a black and gold Givenchy tux and wide-brimmed hat Beyoncé presented the perfect image of power coupled with grace and elegance that so appropriately earned her this recognition.

Other award winners included Alessandro Michele of Gucci who received the International Award and Blake Felty from FIT and Kara Kroeger, a graduate of Kent State University who received the Kenneth Cole Footwear and Accessory Innovation Fellowship grants.

The three Swarovski awards for emerging designers went to Paul Andrew for accessories, to the Orley label for menswear, and to Brandon Maxwell for womenswear.    Mr. Maxwell may be best known for styling Lady Gaga but his talents were clearly on display in the sparkly, sleek back-baring dress worn by Naomi Campbell.

In one of the most special moments of the evening The CFDA paid special tribute to David Bowie, actor musician and style icon. Michael C. Hall led off the presentation with a brief musical tribute to Mr. Bowie as Ziggy Stardust clone models walked the stage in iconic Bowie looks.  Adding to the celebrity glamour, Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton accepted the award on his behalf.

The full list of the nominees for this years’ event follows:

Womenswear Designer of the Year

• Marc Jacobs
• Proenza Schouler: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez
• Altuzarra: Joseph Altuzarra
• Rodarte: Kate and Laura Mulleavy
• The Row: Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen

Menswear Designer of the Year

• Thom Browne
• Public School: Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne
• Rag & Bone: David Neville and Marcus Wainwright
• Todd Snyder
• Tim Coppens

Accessories Designer of the Year

• Irene Neuwirth
• The Row: Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen
• Altuzarra: Joseph Altuzarra
• Mansur Gavriel: Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel
• Proenza Schouler: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez

Swarovski Award for Womenswear

• Monse: Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia
• Brandon Maxwell
• Ryan Roche

Swarovski Award for Menswear

• Orley: Alex Orley, Matthew Orley, Samantha Orley
• John Elliott
• Gypsy Sport: Rio Uribe

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design

• Brother Vellies: Aurora James
• Paul Andrew
• Gigi Burris

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award

• Norma Kamali

 

The Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard

• Imran Amed, editor in chief of The Business of Fashion

 

The Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert

• Donna Karan

International Award

• Gucci: Alessandro Michele

Board of Directors’ Tribute Award

• David Bowie

Related articles

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• Tilda Swinton To Accept CFDA Honor For David Bowie
• Culture Lens: No Limits – the Work of Mario Testino
• Donna Karan Steps Down As Chief Designer. Is Change Good?