Dr. Macrene Alexiades Launches Beauty Line at Bergdorf Goodman
The intimate event, co-hosted by Nicky Hilton Rothschild, gathered friends to clink champagne glasses and experience the line firsthand.
History
Timeline
For more than a decade, sustainability has been an integral pillar of our work.
1962
The Beginning
CFDA was founded by Eleanor Lambert
1963
Election of the first president
Sydney Wragge was elected president of the CFDA.
1965
Election of the second president
Norman Norell was elected president of CFDA.
1973
The beginning of the CFDA Foundation
- The CFDA officially became two organizations with the creation of the CFDA Foundation.
- Oscar de la Renta was elected president of the CFDA.
1977
Election of the fourth president
Herbert Kasper was elected president of the CFDA.
1980
The first CFDA Fashion Awards
- The first annual CFDA Fashion Awards were held.
- Bill Blass was elected president of the CFDA.
1982
Election of the sixth president
Mary McFadden was elected CFDA President.
1985
The establishment
CFDA hired its first staff member and established an office.
1989
Election of the eighth president
Carolyne Roehm was elected CFDA President.
1990
7th on Sale
First 7th on Sale
1991
Election of the ninth president
Stan Herman was elected CFDA President.
1994
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer was created by Ralph Lauren and the CFDA to raise funds for breast cancer.
1996
The CFDA Scholarship Program
The CFDA Scholarship Program was created.
1998
The Target/CFDA Design Initiative
The Target/CFDA Design Initiative was created.
2001
Fashion for America
CFDA, in partnership with Vogue created “Fashion for America” to raise funds for relief efforts after the events of 9/11.
2003
Eleanor Lambert passed away
CFDA Founder, Eleanor Lambert, passed away at the age of 100.
2004
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was created under the leadership of Anna Wintour.
2006
Election of the tenth president & executive director
- Diane Von Furstenberg was elected CFDA President.
- Steven Kolb becomes Executive Director.
2007
CFDA’s Business Services Network
- CFDA’s Business Services Network was established for corporate members.
- CFDA partnered with Teen Vogue and Target to create the CFDA/ Teen Vogue Scholarship.
- The CFDA Health Initiative was created to address the overwhelming concern about the health of models.
- The CFDA released its first book “American Fashion”, published by Assouline.
2009
15th Anniversary of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
- CFDA celebrated the 15th Anniversary of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.
- CFDA and Fordham Law School announced the launch of the Fashion Law Institute.
2010
The CFDA {FASHION INCUBATOR}
The CFDA {FASHION INCUBATOR} was founded in partnership with Mayor Bloomberg’s NYCEDC and Newmark Knight Frank.
2011
Stars of American Fashion
“Stars of American Fashion” campaign was launched. The campaign created an endowment for CFDA.
2012
50th Anniversary
- CFDA celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
- CFDA moved its offices to 65 Bleecker Street.
2013
CFDA+ Program
CFDA+ Program was established.
2014
The Fashion Calendar
CFDA acquired the Fashion Calendar.
2015
New York Fashion Week: Men’s
CFDA launched New York Fashion Week: Men’s.
2016
EXAMINING THE FUTURE OF FASHION WEEK
CFDA took the lead on a global conversation about fashion week by conducting a study with The Boston Consulting Group.
2016
FASHION TARGETS BREAST CANCER PARTNERS WITH FABLETICS
Actress Kate Hudson becomes Fashion Targets Breast Cancer’s ambassador for the month of October.
2016
BEYONCE IS NAMED CFDA FASHION ICON
Superstar Beyonce Knowles is named Fashion Icon at the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards.
2016
CFDA AND CADILLAC LAUNCH RETAIL LAB
Retail Lab provided tangible value to designers in a multifaceted way including a custom retail shop at Cadillac House.
2016
MARKING SUPERBOWL 50 WITH DESIGNER FOOTBALLS
For the anticipated sporting event, CFDA and NFL partnered on 50 Bespoke Footballs by 50 CFDA members in support of the NFL Foundation.
2017
RAF SIMONS TAKES HOME WOMENSWEAR AND MENSWEAR TROVA
Raf Simons is the first designer since Calvin Klein in 1993 to win both Womenswear and Menswear Designer of the Year for Calvin Klein at the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards.
2017
CFDA PARTNERS WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD
CFDA and Planned Parenthood launch the Fashion Stands with Planned Parenthood pin for NYFW: Women’s in February.
2017
CFDA AND FWD.US LAUNCH IMMIGRATION STUDY
The report addresses the impact of immigration policy on the United States’ fashion industry, its role in creating American jobs, and changes needed to bolster the future health of the industry.
2018
THE GLASS RUNWAY
CFDA and Glamour magazine partner on a comprehensive study on women in the fashion industry and gender equality.
2018
CFDA LAUNCHES FASHION TRUST
The new charitable initiative launched with Tania Fares provides business support to U.S. based designers through financial grants and strategic mentoring.
2018
INFLUENCER KIM KARDASHIAN WEST
Kim Kardashian West wins the first-ever Influencer Award at the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards. “I’m shocked that I’m winning a fashion award when I’m naked most of the time,” she said.
2018
TURNING 15
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund celebrates its 15th anniversary—and the year’s winner with Kerby Jean-Raymond for Pyer Moss.
2019
A BRIEFING ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN AMERICAN FASHION
The CFDA and PVH Corp. developed a an industry briefing on diversity and inclusion to bring awareness and start the education around all aspects from abilities and age to gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
2019
TOM FORD IS NAMED CFDA CHAIRMAN
Tom Ford succeeds Diane von Furstenberg and becomes Chairman of the CFDA.
2019
LOVE BALL III
CFDA and Susanne Bartsch bring back the legendary HIV/AIDS fundraiser at Gotham Hall.
2020
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic causes a worldwide lockdown, hitting the fashion industry from all angles.
2020
The CFDA and Vogue launch A Common Thread, a Covid Relief and storytelling initiative which raised over $5 million for the fashion industry.
2020
The 2020 CFDA Fashion Awards winners are revealed digitally by Chairman Tom Ford on RUNWAY360.
2021
CFDA Impact
IMPACT is a CFDA developed initiative to identify, connect, support, and nurture Black and Brown creatives and professionals in fashion.
2021
The CFDA Fashion Scholarship Fund celebrates 25 years.
2021
In-Person fashion shows return to New York Fashion Week.
2021
The CFDA Fashion Awards return to the in-person format at THE POOL + THE GRILL
Founder
Our Founder
Eleanor Lambert
CFDA Founder
Eleanor Lambert founded the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1962, bringing designers out of the ateliers and into the spotlight and thereby putting American fashion on the map.
One of the top publicists of her time, Lambert played a significant role in promoting American fashion as an integral part of contemporary lifestyles.
The Crawfordsville, Indiana native studied sculpture and did fashion sketches and fashion reporting, which led her to New York and a career that includes such roles as Press Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art and Press Director of the New York Dress institute, a precursor to her role at the CFDA. Lambert was instrumental in the staging of major American fashion events around the world, such as the 1973 ͞Battle of Versailles designer showofff that put American talent on the global fashion radar.
She received the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1988 and the CFDA Industry Tribute Award in 1993. She died in 2003 at the age of 100.
Today, the CFDA has grown significantly with a membership of over 500 of America’s top womenswear, menswear and accessory designers.
In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, which recognize the top creative talent in the industry, the organization owns the Fashion Calendar and stages New York Fashion Week: Men’s.
It also offers programs which support professional development and scholarships, including the CFDA {Fashion Incubator}, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship Award, the Liz Claiborne Design Scholarship Award and the CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship. In 2013, the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative was created to nurture, elevate and preserve garment production in New York City. Member support is provided through the Strategic Partnerships Group, a high-profile group of companies offering designers strategic opportunities.
The CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate, not-for-profit organized to mobilize the membership to raise funds for charitable causes. Through the Foundation, the CFDA created and manages the worldwide Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative; raises funds for HIV/AIDS organizations with events such as Fashion’s Night Out and 7th on Sale and addresses the issue of model health with The CFDA Health Initiative.
