It’s difficult – quite impossible, really – to explain Elsa Klensch’s immense impact on fashion to the 5G generation.

Picture a world without smartphones, let alone the internet. There were no fashion show livestreams from the palm of your hand or designers posting their lifestyle content for social media.

Enter Mrs. Klensch, the intrepid reporter from Australia who cut her proverbial teeth at Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, among others. She left an indelible mark with Style with Elsa Klensch, which she hosted and produced for CNN from 1980 to 2000. The show brought designers, their creativity, creations and lifestyles into living rooms around the world – pioneering a whole new way in which people, fashion-obsessed and otherwise,  consumed all things style from New York and London to Milan, Paris, and more with elegant and insightful commentary and backstage interviews.

Klensch, who passed away in March 2022, won two CFDA awards in her legendary career: a Special Award in 1986, and the Eugenia Sheppard Award at the 1998/1999 CFDA Fashion Awards.

The CFDA has recently been a beneficiary of Klensch’s estate and in her honor, we dedicated our 2025 scholarships to her and asked designers for musings on the legendary and unforgettable Elsa Klensch.

“Elsa Klensch was a pioneer. She brought the very exclusive world of fashion right into people’s living rooms in the ‘80s and ‘90s before it became commonplace. With her signature hairstyle, her distinctive voice, and no-nonsense approach, she was one of the first journalists to feature designers on camera and that was revolutionary at the time. She set the stage for the idea of designers as celebrities.” – Michael Kors

“Elsa took the industry seriously and was incredibly well-informed—always spotlighting both established designers and rising talent. Her coverage helped shape the way the world viewed fashion, and she gave so many emerging designers the opportunity to be seen.

Her voice was unforgettable—not just the sound of it, which was truly distinctive, but the passion it carried. You couldn’t help but lean in and listen. She brought authenticity and clarity to her storytelling which made people trust her instantly.

Elsa Klensch’s profound knowledge and genuine love for fashion made her a true authority in the industry. Her distinctive approach filled a niche that still feels unmatched today. Her contributions continue to resonate and inspire.” – Tommy Hilfiger

“Elsa was the first and being that she was on CNN, she would look at fashion from a more serious vent. The creative side, the business side, the storytelling, the spectacle – all in one piece.

She would grill you at the most stressful times, either right before a show or right after and never let up until she got something good!

She made fashion newsworthy. At a time when trends would sweep the industry, she would distill those moments and serve them to a global audience.” – Cynthia Rowley

“The reason she was so unique is that she literally went to EVERY show. She didn’t miss one. Her edits were right because she saw everything and spoke to everyone and had a real consensus.

I remember being interviewed by her after my shows. She was so smart and asked only good questions, and she let me take the lead and talk about what I wanted to talk about as opposed to other interviews that had a specific agenda.

I feel her legacy is the legacy of the fashion show video itself. I can only imagine those archives, but more than that, she was at the forefront of capturing fashion shows on tape. It was not done that much in those days. It was SO THRILLING to see those shows on Saturday mornings on CNN.” – Isaac Mizrahi

“She was the OG of fashion reporting and brought to life the world of fashion’s greatest stars and runway shows. Before Elsa, we would consume magazines and visit stores, but Elsa invented a new category of content.

Elsa was a force…She was democratic in her choices and delivered each segment with the same measured voice. She was a touchstone and a friendly face on CNN when one was stuck in a remote hotel room, jet-lagged, and in need of some comfort viewing.

I was petrified to be interviewed by Elsa; yet, she was always so warm and professional and made me feel like a successful designer during a time of great vulnerability, namely fashion week. When we sat down for the interview, she would mouth the answers that I was giving, which could be disconcerting. But she would utilize the answer and, in a sense, repeat it back to me to make sure the point was being made clear.

It was always a huge deal when she came to interview me…It was probably the most important interview of show week.

Elsa created fashion content and was ahead of time. Her work belongs in a time capsule as she created something so specific and unique and wonderful.” – John Bartlett

“Elsa was lovely and deeply interested in what she was reporting on. Style w Elsa Klench was the first news show that treated fashion seriously and she broadcast her informed and serious thoughts all over the world through CNN.

I always marveled at how calm Elsa was. Backstage at fashion shows is insanity and she was always cool and composed while asking you very specific questions without notes. Her news reporter’s approach to fashion inspired many others including MTV’s House of Style. Whenever Elsa covered your work, it was broadcast all over the world, over and over. There is still no other fashion journalist that reached more people than Elsa.

Elsa’s unique sophisticated point of view alongside her being first in broadcast fashion coverage will always make her the OG.” – Todd Oldham

“I adored Elsa Klensch and was glued to her show on the weekends. She was the only source on TV (other than Jeanne Becker) at that time where you could see the new international collections runway footage, which was so special pre-YouTube and all.

She ended her show just when I was starting my collection, so I never got to work with her.” – Behnaz Sarafpour