The 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards celebrate the best in American fashion creativity today, but they’re also a time to take a moment and remember and honor those who left us in the last year.

Alber Elbaz, the beloved Israeli-Moroccan designer who started his career at Geoffrey Beene on Seventh Avenue and truly made his mark with his powerful reinvention of Lanvin in Paris.

Elsa Peretti, the iconic Tiffany & Co. designer and New York figure – whose fiery friendship with Halston was as legendary as her sensuous jewelry.

Pierre Cardin, the designer who brought Space Age modernism to Paris fashion.

Richard Buckley, the journalist whose career took him from New York Magazine to Daily News Record (DNR), Vanity Fair, Mirabella, and Vogue Hommes International.

Heidi Weisel, the designer best known for infusing modern, timeless eveningwear with the simplicity of sportswear.

Morton Myles, the American fashion designer credited as the Father of Cost Conscious Couture.

Monika Tilley, the designer and longtime force within the CFDA and built the CFDA Scholarship Program from scratch under the leadership of then-CFDA President Perry Ellis.

Richard David Story, the editor whose love of the finer things in life – and a good gossip – inspired readers worldwide.

Grace Mirabella, the American fashion editor who served as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue and founded her own publication Mirabella. 

Virgil Abloh, the founder of Off-White and the first black Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton Men’s.

We also remember Kenzo Takada, the Japanese talent in Paris whose vibrant, fun creations brought color to Paris; Hiro, the legendary photographer; George Malkemus, the fashion executive instrumental in building Manolo Blahnik in the U.S.; Connie Uzzo, Yves Saint Laurent’s close confidante and U.S. executive, and Fred Segal, the famed Los Angeles retailer. Rest in peace.