CFDA Awards 2024: A New Era of Fashion, Diversity, and Social Change

The 2024 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards, often called the Oscars of American fashion, unveiled a generational and ideological shift within the industry. Held under the majestic blue whale at the Museum of Natural History, this year’s event did more than celebrate design; it echoed the urgency of our current socio-political landscape.

Fashion has often been its own echo chamber, yet as New York Fashion Week demonstrated with its get-out-the-vote march, the industry is stepping into the role of social advocate. Michael Kors, who won the Positive Change Award, set the tone, and presenter Blake Lively, dressed in his design, highlighted the increasing commitment of fashion icons to inspire meaningful social shifts.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand took the stage, urging attendees to channel their drive and creativity toward inspiring others, as CFDA chairman Thom Browne echoed her sentiments, comparing fashion’s individual expression to the choices in democracy. Browne reminded the crowd that both fashion and democracy offer avenues to shape the future, emphasizing the impact of these individual decisions.

A generational shift was clear in the major award winners. Raul Lopez of Luar, a Dominican-American designer, won Accessories Designer of the Year, celebrating his heritage and journey in a field where he once had to sneak into libraries to hone his craft. Willy Chavarria’s win for Menswear Designer of the Year honored his work “América,” which pays homage to laborers and includes merchandise supporting the ACLU, a tribute to the often-overlooked labor force. Rachel Scott of Diotima, who brings Caribbean culture to a cosmopolitan audience, took home Womenswear Designer of the Year, further proving that diversity in culture translates to diversity in design.

The CFDA Board of Directors paid tribute to the late Isabel Toledo, an independent Cuban-American designer renowned for crafting Michelle Obama’s 2009 inauguration dress. This honor underscored the growing influence of designers representing minority voices and pushing for industry evolution.

Humor and camaraderie complemented the evening’s gravity. Host Cynthia Erivo dazzled in a Gap fishtail gown with an avant-garde hoodie and challenged Marc Jacobs to a “nail off,” while André 3000 and Erykah Badu, presenting her with the Style Icon Award, created a memorable moment of fashion nostalgia and love. Stars like Angel Reese, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Katie Holmes, Yseult, and Charles Melton graced the event in designs that embodied the vibrancy of this evolving industry.

As Lopez accepted his award, he stressed the importance of creating not only beauty but change. Chavarria added that while many in the room carry the weight of their roots as immigrants, people of color, or LGBTQ+ individuals, the responsibility to care about social issues extends to everyone, regardless of background. As Chavarria remarked, “It’s not just for us to worry about—it’s for everyone to worry about. And not just in fashion but in our lives, our communities, and our country.”

Quote:
“Fashion, at its best, is more than beauty—it’s a canvas for change.”

Content courtesy of New York Times & NFH Digital Team