Under the vaulted ceilings of New York’s American Museum of Natural History, the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards unfolded on the eve of the midterms with a mood that was less red carpet than reckoning. The evening’s message was clear: Independence matters, and legacy still commands the room.
Rachel Scott claimed American Womenswear Designer of the Year for the second time with her label Diotima, and she used the podium to do more than thank her team. “It’s highly unusual for someone like me to be standing here,” she said, “and in a world where independent and marginalized voices are being systematically silenced, I feel extremely lucky and a very, very heavy responsibility.” She added, “We have a lot of work to do, starting tomorrow morning.” Scott bested a field that included Michael Kors and Tory Burch, cementing her reputation for craft-driven, inclusive design.
Ralph Lauren took American Menswear Designer of the Year. At 87, introduced by Matt Damon, Lauren received a standing ovation. It was his third win in the category, following 1996 and 2007, and came just a year after he won the womenswear prize. He traced his career back to a single tie nearly six decades ago: “It was never just a tie. It was about doing what I love and giving it everything.” He remains the only designer to hold CFDA’s lifetime achievement, menswear, womenswear, and retailer of the year honors.
Internationally, Anthony Vaccarello was named International Designer of the Year a fitting tribute as he closes his decade-long chapter as creative director of Saint Laurent. Zoë Kravitz, Hailey Bieber, and BLACKPINK’s Rosé, all dressed in his designs, presented the award, turning the moment into a carefully staged farewell.
Elsewhere, Ana Khouri won Accessory Designer of the Year, Colleen Allen took the Google Shopping Emerging Designer award, Peter Marino received the Fashion Icon honor, Tory Burch earned the Positive Change Award, and Gap Inc. was recognized for Innovation. Host Keke Palmer opened the night in an archival gold gown by the late Bob Mackie, adding a layer of history to a ceremony watched over by the museum’s towering specimens.
When Scott spoke of “systemic silencing,” the CFDA ballots had already offered an answer: between heritage and new voices, American fashion is trying to define where the next decade begins.
