2018 CFDA Fashion Awards Overshadow Grief
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
The fashion world was left with a strong sense of emptiness after the announcement of designer Kate Spade’s death the week of June 4th, 2018. Brightness became darkness, and, for just a moment, creativity became stifled. It seemed unfathomable that someone who took such pride in her cheerful and heartwarming designs could have been plagued by such demons causing the designer to take her own life.
Distractions are never far away and the week’s diversion became the 2018 Annual CFDA Awards. Each June, the Council of Fashion Designers of America honor those individuals making their memorable mark on fashion. For the 17th year in a row, a very talented group of people have brought promise and excitement to the industry.
The award ceremony was held on Monday, June 4th, 2018 at the Brooklyn Museum. Once again, Swarovski partnered with the CFDA for a glitter-filled event. American actress, writer, director, producer and web-series creator, Issa Rae, hosted the ceremony.
The list of honorees was a roster of well-deserving artists changing the way that fashion is viewed today and in the future. Here are the winners:
Fashion Icon Award – Naomi Campbell is one of the very original supermodels of the century. Naomi started her modeling career at only 15 years old. She has modeled for almost every single designer in the industry and made history as the first black model to appear on the cover of Time Magazine, French Vogue, Russian Vogue and British Vogue. Modeling paved the way to enter acting and today philanthropy is Naomi’s top priority. She supports many charities but gets the most satisfaction helping those in South Africa. She has worked with Nelson Mandela and established the Fashion for Relief in 2005 which raised funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Positive Change Award – Diane von Furstenberg will always be associated with the famous wrap dress which brought her acclaim during her first years of designing. A native of Belgium, America overwhelmingly welcomed her. Diane’s career blossomed and celebrities and First Ladies began wearing her designs across the globe. In 2014, Furstenberg joined the Ban Bossy campaign as a spokesperson to advocate leadership roles for girls. Since 2006, she has held the position of President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and her work has truly impacted the fashion world in very positive ways.
International Award – Donatella Versace is chief designer and Vice President of the Versace Group. This Italian artist quickly stepped up to keep the brand active in the public eye after her brother Gianni’s sudden assassination in the late 1990s. She presented her first couture show just one year later with very positive affirmation from the fashion critics. She is extremely dedicated to design and holds great power over current trends. She dresses many of Europe’s elite. Donatella is active in real estate and earned the ‘Do Something With Style’ award nomination in 2010 from the VH1 Do Something Awards. The nomination was earned for providing art supplies to children and creating a tote bag with funds from the purchase going to support charity. Many a documentary has been written about the Versace brand name.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Narciso Rodriguez is a renowned designer, well-educated for his trade by The New School, Parsons School of Design. Not only has he coveted this award, but he also has received the ALMA Award for Fashion Icon and the Best Designer Award was presented to him two years in a row in 2004 and 2005. He is best known for designing the gorgeous wedding gown of Carolyn Bessette as she wed John F. Kennedy. First Lady, Michelle Obama wore a Narciso Rodriguez creation in 2008 as she stood next to her President Elect husband on stage. Both Narciso’s parents are of Cuban descent and although they discouraged him entering fashion and design, he has made them quite proud.
Emerging Talent Award – Sander Lak may not yet be as well- known as some of his counterparts in the industry, however, he is rapidly working his way to the top. Sander is creative director of his own fashion label, Sies Marjan. Hailing from Holland, his skills have been perfected at the ateliers of prestigious design houses in New York, Antwerp and Paris.
Media Award – Edward Enninful, born in Ghana, began his career at a very early age. Found by a talent scout at 16, he began modeling and credits that part of his career as his ‘baptism into fashion.’ At 18 years old, he was appointed as the youngest fashion director for International Publication, i-D. He worked for Calvin Klein on an advertising campaign and assisted in fueling the ‘grunge’ movement of the early 1990’s with the looks he featured in his articles. He has garnered amazing respect from the industry as a fashion stylist at W Magazine and now Editor-In-Chief of British Vogue.
Founder’s Award – Carolina Herrera has always carried that sophisticated appeal with her luxury clothing collections. Her family introduced her into the world of fashion as she was growing up in Caracas, Venzuela. Not only as Carolina been successful at design and dressing important women such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, but, her brand has also introduced a perfume with her namesake. Herrera is no stranger to awards. She was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA in 2008 and won “Womenswear Designer of the Year” in 2004. King Juan Carlos I of Spain presented her with Spain’s Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts in 2002. Carolina was Style Awards Designer of the Year in 2012 and in 2014, she earned the Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion. Carolina Herrera is quite an accomplished artist/designer and she has held a position on the board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America since 1999.
Influencer Award – Kim Kardashian is one of television’s most well-known names and has kept ratings alive with her reality series. She has garnered an amazing social media following, tens of millions of fans on Twitter and Instagram. Kardashian has used her fame to create a multitude of products which include beauty and skin care and clothing. In 2015, she even released a photo book. Although the CFDA presented Kim with this award, she has won accolades for this category before. In 2015, Kim made TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people list and VOGUE has described her as a ‘pop culture’ phenomenon. Kardashian has been in the news recently for her meeting with President Trump as she secured the release from prison of Alice Johnson, a mother serving a life sentence for a first-time nonviolent drug offense charge.
One of the biggest awards of the event went to Ralph Lauren as he accepted the Member’s Salute. With the Ralph Lauren brand celebrating 50 years of unprecedented success, the Council of Fashion Designers chose to salute a man who has become an icon in American fashion. His impact on fashion has reached new heights scanning the globe, building outstanding bonds throughout history. He is passionate about style and very proud of the brand that he has established. Not only is Lauren admired for his versatile design creations, but, he continuously gives back through his contributions from the philanthropy inspired, Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation. He has launched champions with his design lines established for the USA Olympic contenders. Ralph Lauren adds this award to the multitude he has received since the early 1970’s. All his fellow designers and friends attending this award ceremony were simply thrilled to be able to share this moment with a fashion great!
Others receiving awards at the ceremony included Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen of The Row for Accessories Designer of the Year and James Jebbia taking Menswear Designer of the Year for his brand, Supreme.
All in all, this was a magical event that recognized the true leaders in the fashion industry and gave them credit for their drive, determination and uncompromising ambition. Congratulations to all the winners!
Photo Credit : Zimbio/Getty Images/Theo Wargo
