The CFDA Fashion Awards are always sure to be unforgettable. With so much star wattage and the brightest talents of American fashion, it’s hard to not to walk away with at least one great story. Just ask Brandon Maxwell, who still remembers that feeling of receiving his first award, or Tabitha Simmons, who walked away with both a Trova and a selfie with the Fat Jewish on the same night! In advance of Monday’s Awards, hear some of the past attendees share the special moments they’ll never forget.

Tabitha Simmons

“My most memorable moment was at the 2012 Awards. I attended with my best friend, Karen Elson, and I had no absolutely no expectation of winning. I was incredibly surprised and honored to receive The Swarovski Award for Accessory Design, after just a few short years into business. Everyone dear to my heart was in the room: my Fashion Fund mentor, Josh Schulman, Tory Burch, whom I worked closely with for many years, as well as the team from Vogue, who had encouraged and supported me from the very start. It was such a proud moment for me. And if the night couldn’t get any better, I was able to nab a selfie with the Fat Jewish – night complete!”

Brandon Maxwell

“My most memorable moment has to be when I was nominated for the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent. At the table during the awards I took off my jacket, because I’m naturally uncomfortable in a tuxedo, unbuttoned my shirt and untied my shoes to enjoy the evening comfortably. When they announced my name, I was in total shock and absolutely unprepared. Everyone at the table looked at me and told me I had to get dressed, so I did… quickly! It’s a moment in my life I’m so grateful for and will never ever forget. “

Todd Snyder

“I’ll never forget the first time I was nominated for a CFDA award. I brought the team together and announced our accomplishment. It was such an honor to be nominated and to be able to share it with the team that got us there. The nomination changed the course of our business and catapulted us into humbling success. That day, we shut down shop and all went out for whisky and pickle backs. Many hangovers later, it remains our team’s signature shot.”

Gigi Burris

“My first awards was the year I was nominated. I was particularly special to have the community built up around myself and the brand to celebrate alongside with. Two of my best friends are a celebrity hair and makeup artist couple and they got Zosia Mamet and me ready in Zosia’s living room.  They had done every look book with me up to that moment so to start the evening with that preparatory celebration was really memorable.”

Pamela Love

“The most memorable moment was winning my CFDA Award. I was not expecting to win and had not prepared anything to say — I’m a little superstitious, and I thought for sure if I prepared something I would not win – so I went up with nothing planned to say and totally shaky. It was all a blur! I remember sitting back down in my chair after in total shock in between my dates Jemima Kirke and my husband and Jemima shaking me and being like you won! Kiss him!”