A surprise musical performance by the British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean was a delightful break. She performed an almost-unplugged rendition of her single “So Easy (To Fall In Love).” The up-and-comer was followed by another singer and fashion darling, Addison Rae, who along with designer (and fellow fashion darling) Christopher John Rogers, gigglingly presented the Google American Emerging Designer award, which went to Ashlynn’s Ashlyn Park, who tearfully took the stage and stated, “I feel like I am on the moon right now.” She is also a finalist in the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, whose winner will be revealed next Monday.
Immediately following, Naomi Campbell took the stage to introduce Pieter Mulier who received the International Designer of the Year for his work at Alaïa, which the supermodel knows intimately. “Congratulations Pieter. Thank you for carrying Azzedine’s spirit forward into this new generation. Papa would be proud,” she said, referring to Azzedine who over the years became a father figure for her. “To be honest I never thought of accepting a prize so far, but I have to say I changed my mind with this one because it creates a moment in time where one can stand still, and reflect, and realize that all the hard work that we do is appreciated and celebrated,” Mulier said. “Fashion without the glamour is hard work.” The Belgian designer also got one of the biggest laughs of the night when he thanked his team—who was seated at a nearby table—but said he wouldn’t share their names “because there are headhunters in the room.”
Afterwards, Vogue’s Nicole Phelps took the stage to introduce Andre Walker, who was honored with the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Tribute. “Andre wasn’t just ahead of his time, he made his own time,” she said. Walker was visibly nervous when accepting his award, saying “thank you for the helpful support, mentoring, and patience.” In a poignant moment he directed everyone to look at the screen on stage, on which a list of credits rolled like at the end of the film. It was everyone he wished to thank.
The actress Jennifer Lawrence introduced her friend, W magazine’s editor-in-chief Sara Moonves, “who dresses like Coco Chanel but has the work ethic of Genghis Khan,” as this year’s recipient of the Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard. Moonves, who began her career at Vogue, said, “the best compliment that I often receive about our magazine is that it looks like we’re having fun, and we are!”
Closing out the evening were Mark Ronson, Dao-Yi Chow, and Maxwell Osborne, who handed out the award for American Menswear Designer of the Year. The honors went to Thom Browne, who accepted the award for the fourth time in his career (he also won in 2006, 2013, and 2016). Browne thanked his team and, ever the romantic, his partner Andrew Bolton. “The biggest inspiration in my life, the most special person, the most beautiful person, and I think the most important person in fashion who really champions all of our work at the highest level.” And thus wrapped up another CFDA Fashion Awards, a few minutes short of 11pm. Until next year…
This article was published by Vogue on 2025-11-04 09:25:00
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