The CFDA Fashion Awards — fashion’s biggest night — were in a new territory on Monday night.
For the first time, the star-studded awards event, in partnership with Swarovski for the 17th year, crossed the Brooklyn Bridge to New York’s hip outer borough (and home to many designers), landing at the iconic Brooklyn Museum.
Host Issa Rae came out swinging, admitting she had a shaky history with style — and she brought along the pictures to prove it. In front of an audience that included Diane Lane, Sarah Paulson, Claire Danes, Victor Cruz, and Cate Blanchett, she admitted to having some reservations about hosting. That’s because her stylist told her she’d have to be “Fancy Issa.” Which, as she put it, “is really code word for Spanx.”
The night started off strong — as in truly epic — when the first presenter came a surprise to the crowd: icon Oprah Winfrey, there to honor her friend and British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enniful. She praised him for his longtime quest to bring inclusivity to the heart of his work. “This is a man who understands that the representation of inclusion, of diversity, is not just important, it is vital in allowing for our shift in the way culture views beauty,” Winfrey said. “And he loves beauty.”
Enniful, in accepting the award, echoed those sentiments. “In a world that’s increasingly divided, we must remember we are more alike than different. British Vogue is about being inclusive. It’s not just the color of your skin, it’s the diversity of perspective.”
Diversity became a connecting thread throughout the evening, from Issa Rae’s opening monologue — in which she noted that she was the first woman of color to ever host the awards –to Naomi Campbell, who, when accepting her Fashion Icon Award from director Lee Daniels, gave a speech that touched upon the hardships she has faced as a black woman in the modeling industry. Hers is ultimately a story of triumph. “I’ve been told many times that I couldn’t do certain things because of the color of my skin but I didn’t let that be an excuse,” she said. “I let it drive me. I stand today in front of you as a proud woman of color who will continue to push for diversity and equality in this industry.”
Campbell and Enninful were among the many fantastic highlights throughout the evening.
A very poignant and heartfelt moment of the evening was the CFDA Members Salute, a first-time award given to Ralph Lauren. A line-up of legends including Vera Wang, John Varvatos, Thom Browne, Alexander Wang, Michael Kors, and Tommy Hilfiger made their way to the stage to share what they love and respect most about the iconic designer. CFDA Chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg said: “He already had every award so we had to come up with a new award for tonight.”
Lauren thanked those in the room who had helped him build his empire. “I love what I do,” he said, pointing to all the charitable endeavors he and other fashion friends have worked on together. “Thank you so much for honoring me.”
Kim Kardashian West was given the Influencer Award, presented by actress Busy Philipps, who commended her for promoting body diversity and an openness about herself and her femininity that helps other young women find inner strength and appreciate their unique beauty. “I’m shocked that I’m winning a fashion award when I’m naked most of the time,” Kardashian West joked at the podium, in a two-piece draped Rick Owens number.
Sies Marjan designer Sander Lak won the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent. “I was born and raised abroad and have lived on almost every continent,” he said, tearfully. “I’ve always been an expat. Living in New York is the first time I’ve felt at home, so this is really special.”
Supreme won for Menswear Designer of the Year. The streetwear brand’s founder James Jebbia stoically accepted the award, saying, “I never considered Supreme to be a fashion company or myself a designer. But I appreciate the recognition for what we do.”
Then there was Claire Danes’ deeply felt speech to her longtime friend Narcisco Rodriguez who was honored with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. It included special memories from her wedding, where Rodriguez not only dressed her, but her entire bridal party. Rodriguez took a moment to share a bit of his history and thank his husband, Thomas, and two children, Callum and Ivy, “who have made this life perfect and complete.
“I’m looking forward to the next 20 years,” he added.
Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen took home Accessory Designer of the Year with a sweet speech that recognized today’s difficult political atmosphere before thanking their customers. Raf Simons took home Womenswear Designer of the Year for the second time in a row.
“It’s really beautiful to experience this,” he said. “I feel very welcomed as a European. In good and in bad times, this country is very inspiring to me.”
Donatella Versace accepted the International Award from Lupita Nyong’o while von Furstenberg accepted the Swarovski Award for Positive Change from Parkland shooting survivor and activist Delaney Tarr. Von Furstenberg had some wise words to impart: “Be nice. Do something nice.” She told the audience how she starts each day by doing a kind deed for someone else, and urged the crowd of influential fashion industry players to do the same.
To which we say: yes, please.
The official partners of the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards include: Official Carpet Sponsor, ECONYL® x ege; Official Hydration Partner, LIFEWTR; Official Ride Share Partner, Lyft; Official Champagne Sponsor, Perrier-Jouët featuring Belle Epoque Rosé; Official Spirit Sponsor, Maestro Dobel Tequila; Official Hair Sponsor, Pureology
