It was an especially well-dressed crowd for a Monday night at the Museum of Natural History, as guests lined up on the red carpet to have their picture taken on their way into dinner. The big occasion: The CFDA Awards presented by Amazon Fashion.
“This night is about coming together,” says Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “It’s a bit of a cliche, but it’s like a class reunion. You have editors, buyers, and designers here to celebrate each other. The theme for me this year is the breadth of generational talent that continues to define American fashion.”
In attendance were a mix of veterans (Joseph Altuzarra notes that it’s his 17th time) and newcomers like Keith Powers and Bach Buquen, who had never been before. “I don’t know what to expect,” Powers says. “I’m excited to see everything and everyone.” Benito Skinner, Precious Lee, Kate Barton, Venus Williams, and Rain Spencer were also amongst the crowd.
But while the stars in attendance are of course an important topic, the award ceremony itself is the anchor of the night. “The CFDA Fashion Awards are always such a fun night, and a great opportunity to bring everyone together,” says Jenny Freshwater, Vice President of Fashion and Fitness at Amazon. “We introduced the Amazon Innovation Award four years ago so we could spotlight the designers and fashion brands making an impact. It is their hard work and creativity that move our industry forward.” This year, it was Fear of God’s Jerry Lorenzo who received the award. “Innovation comes from the overall process. We are in an eternal pursuit of honesty and integrity, both in how we work and in our products,” says Lorenzo on winning the award.
For model and entrepreneur Elsa Hosk, the night has a whole new meaning now that she has her own brand. “It’s such a good place to connect,” she explains. “Now that I have my own brand, I realize how important events like this are, and the support of the CFDA is really incredible.” Hosk, whose designer look (styled with Amazon luxury accessories) was inspired by the glamorous Y2K aesthetic, added that she loves the chance to lean into glam for a big event. “It’s nice to give people something to look at,” she says. “That’s my red carpet alter ego.”
The fashion of the early aughts was a big topic of the night, referenced as a favorite trend of attendees from Mary Beth Barone (“I love wearing an outfit that my 14-year-old self would be proud of,” she quips) to Powers (“I love how a baggy silhouette looks.”) And as guests stepped off the carpet and into the cocktail reception, the trend’s impact was felt through the dramatic sequin gowns, colorful asymmetrical dresses (like Mary Beth Barone’s off-the-shoulder look), and playful accessories spotted on attendees.
“This award ceremony is so unique to the U.S.,” says Altuzzara. “It’s a celebration of New York and what American fashion stands for. This mix of legacy and new generation, and how it co-mingles, it’s amazing.” As guests sat down to dinner, the conversations continued into the night, celebrating all that American fashion and its fans have to offer. “I’m excited to be surrounded by some of the most creative minds in fashion,” says Angel Reese. “I’ve always believed that what you wear tells a story, and tonight’s about celebrating the people who bring those stories to life.”
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Source: W Magazine