F
ollowing the legacy of celebrating fashion each year, the Council of Fashion Designers of America organised 2017 CFDA awards at Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan, NYC on 5th June. Each June the Council awards the best and the most worthy in fashion community. Founded in 1981, they are the highest honor in fashion and recognize the outstanding contributions made to American fashion in womenswear, menswear, and accessories as well as journalism, creative vision, personal style, and lifetime achievement. Hosted by Seth Meyers, other presenters included Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, Armie Hammer, Jon Bon Jovi, Karen Elson, Amber Valletta and Alek Wek.
Kenneth Cole was honored with the Swarovski Award for Positive Change for using his runways and advertisements as platforms to address social issues like homelessness and AIDS. “Thank you for choosing to recognize a socially-responsible business model,” he told the crowd after being introduced by Jon Bon Jovi. The Fashion Icon Award was given posthumously to legendary Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani, who died in December. Keeping it in the family, the award was accepted by Sozzani’s son, Francesco Sozzani, who is due to marry Wintour’s daughter Bea Shaffer.
If the 2017 CFDA Awards belonged to anyone, it was Raf Simons. The Belgian fashion designer, who was announced as chief creative officer of Calvin Klein in August, received both Menswear Designer of The Year and Womenswear Designer of The Year, an achievement that’s only occurred once before — by Calvin Klein himself in 1993. Since taking on his role, Simons’ influence has been heavily felt not just at Calvin Klein, but on American fashion as a whole.
The evening’s other awards included: Accessory Designer of the Year, given to Stuart Vevers of Coach; the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, given to Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim of Monse; the Founder’s Award, given to Pat McGrath; the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, given to Rick Owens; and the Board of Directors’ Tribute, given to Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards, Gloria Steinem, and Janelle Monáe.
The official partners of the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards were: Official Automotive Partner: Lexus; Official Water Partner: LIFEWTR; Official Spirit Partner: Maestro Dobel Tequila; Official Technology Partner: Samsung.
