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film won the Oscars; the stage has the Tonys; TV has the Emmys; Music has the Grammys.
What is the equivalent in the fashion world? That Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) fashion prices.
The annual awards ceremony recognizes excellence and innovation in fashion and highlights some of the world’s brightest designers and fashion houses. The star-studded awards event also serves as a fundraiser for the CFDA’s scholarships, business programs and other initiatives.
But while this is expected every year, the CFDA has not always recognized black designers and other designers of color or women. The last few years have brought a refreshing change. In 2020 and 2021, the CFDA nominated and recognized some of the most diverse fashion leaders and talent. Past winners include Kerby Jean-Raymond for Pyer Moss and Christopher John Rogers.
This year’s nominees – announced on 15.9 – continue this promising trend. Favorites on the 2022 list include:
- Jerry Lorenzo (Fear of God) (American Menswear Designer of the Year Nominee);
- Christopher John Rogers and LaQuan Smith (American Womenswear Designer of the Year nominee); and
- Telfar Clemens (Telfar), Aurora James (Brother Vellies), Lauren Harwell Godfrey and Brandon Blackwood (American Accessory Designer of the Year nominees).
Other notable awards include the Board of Trustee’s Award, presented posthumously to Virgil Abloh to recognize the late designer’s contribution to global fashion, the 2022 CFDA Fashion Icon Award presented to Lenny Kravitz, and the first-ever CFDA Stylist Award.
The first recipient of this new award is Law Roach, known for dressing famous red carpet hitters like Zendaya, Tiffany Haddish, Venus Williams, Kerry Washington and Shameik Moore.
“…I’m so emotional right now,” Roach posted on his Instagram page about the new award. “Thank you to the @CFDA for selecting me to be the first stylist to receive the CFDA Stylist Award. Overjoyed.”
The nominations for each award category were submitted by the CFDA Fashion Awards Guild, which is made up of members of the CFDA along with leading fashion retailers, journalists and stylists. “This year’s nominees reflect the renewed excitement about American fashion sparked by designers who are redefining the future of our industry,” CFDA CEO Steven Kolb said in a statement.
Further awards will be announced in the run-up to the festive night. The awards will be presented in partnership with Amazon Fashion on November 7th at Casa Cipriani in New York City.
To celebrate the awards, check out some of our favorite looks from this year’s nominees.
1.Christopher John Rogers
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Tessa Thompson made a stylish entrance at the Venice Film Festival. Among her many notable looks was this gorgeous neon green dress designed by Christopher John Rogers.
2.Christopher John Rogers
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Jodie Turner-Smith wore this beautiful color block Christopher John Rogers dress at the amfAR Venice Gala 2022 presented by The Red Sea International Film Festival at the Arsenale in Venice, Italy.
3. Laquan Smith
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Laquan Smith presented his Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion collection as part of New York Fashion Week on September 12, 2022 in New York.
4. Fear of God
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2021 Fashion Icon Award recipient Zendaya attended the HBO Max FYC event for “Euphoria” in a stunning gray Fear of God suit.
5. Telfar
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Who doesn’t love Telfar? The luxury handbag line powered by Black has become a hot topic in recent years. Most recently, Gayle King was spotted wearing an all-white ensemble with a round bag as an accessory on day one of the 2022 US Open.
6. Brother Vellies
Founder and Creative Director Aurora James is a beast when it comes to designing beautiful shoes. Her talents have landed her on many prominent red carpets.
7. Lauren Harwell Godfrey
Maybe one of the jewelry designers Lauren Harwell Godfrey’s coolest flex is sSaying Mrs. Vice President Kamala Harris carried her designs around.
8.Brandon Blackwood
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Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph walked the red carpet at the 74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in a dress designed by Brandon Blackwood, along with a mini red purse, also from the brand.
9. Virgil Abloh
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Virgil Abloh’s final show during the Off-White Womenswear Fall/Winter 2022-2023 show Spaceship Earth: An “Imaginary Experience” at the Palais Brongniart during Paris Fashion Week was quite the experience. The late visionary made tremendous contributions to the fashion world.
10.Lenny Kravitz
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Musician Lenny Kravitz has shared the same style aesthetic since entering the entertainment industry in 1981. The rock ‘n’ roller is known for his locomotives, sunglasses, torn t-shirts, leather pants and biker boots. This year he received the CFDA’s Fashion Icon Award.
11. Law cockroach
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Who do we know better than Law Roach? The image architect is responsible for launching careers through style alone.
