CFDA Awards 2025: A Night of Triumph for American Design

The annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards gala, frequently dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion,” solidified its standing as the preeminent event in American design on November 3, 2025. This highly anticipated industry affair was held in the magnificent Hall of Ocean Life at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, providing a spectacular backdrop for the evening’s celebrations.

The proceedings were expertly hosted by the acclaimed singer and actress Teyana Taylor. Since its inception in 1981, the CFDA Awards have served a crucial dual purpose: celebrating the achievements of the past year and setting the creative direction for the future trajectory of American fashion.

The competitive categories saw several established designers and emerging talents receive top honors. Securing the prestigious title of Womenswear Designer of the Year was Ralph Lauren, who emerged victorious over a formidable list of nominees that included Wes Gordon (Carolina Herrera), Rachel Scott (Diotima), Daniella Kallmeyer (Kallmeyer), and Tory Burch.

In the parallel categories recognizing distinct areas of design, Thom Browne was recognized as the Menswear Designer of the Year. The highly influential duo Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen were honored with the Accessory Designer of the Year award. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of nurturing new talent, the Google Shopping Emerging Designer of the Year award was presented to Ashlynn Park (Ashlyn).

Beyond the core design accolades, several high-profile individuals received special honors acknowledging their profound and lasting impact on the global fashion landscape. The boundary-pushing rapper ASAP Rocky was celebrated with the coveted Fashion Icon Award. Meanwhile, Donatella Versace was the recipient of the Positive Change Award, recognizing her cultural and philanthropic influence.

International recognition was also a key feature of the night, with Pieter Mulier, the creative director of Alaïa, earning the title of International Designer of the Year. The prestigious Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, reserved for those whose careers have fundamentally shaped the industry, was fittingly presented to Ralph Rucci.

The intersection of technology and creativity was highlighted through the presentation of the Innovation Award, which went to Jerry Lorenzo of Fear of God. This award was presented by Amazon Fashion, which served as the main partner for the CFDA event for the fourth consecutive time, underscoring the platform’s commitment to supporting design advancements.

Rounding out the roster of distinguished honorees were several foundational awards recognizing excellence across various facets of the industry. Cynthia Rowley was named the recipient of the Eleanor Lambert Award, and Andre Walker was honored with the Isabelle Toledo Board of Directors Award. Finally, the Eugenia Sheppard Media Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to fashion journalism, was presented to Sara Moonves of W Magazine.