Ricky and Ralph Lauren, the Womenswear Designer of the Year, Photo Instagram
The 2025 CFDA Awards, held on Monday evening at the American Museum of Natural History, brought together almost 500 industry leaders, designers, and cultural figures to honor the standout names shaping American fashion today. Amazon Fashion served as the presenting partner, joined by additional supporters including Google Shopping, M·A·C Cosmetics, Krug Champagne, and Lincoln.
Ralph Lauren was the well-deserved recipient of the American Women’s Wear Designer of the Year award, presented by Naomi Watts. At the same time, Thom Browne was named American Men’s Wear Designer of the Year, a title introduced by Mark Ronson, Dao-Yi Chow, and Maxwell Osborne. The Row’s Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen were awarded American Accessory Designer of the Year, announced on stage by Benito Skinner and Jennifer Fisher.
The Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year went to Ashlynn Park of Ashlyn, presented by Addison Rae and Christopher John Rogers. By the way, I’m very happy for Ashlynn, who I spotted early on and was the subject of an article I wrote for Lookonline.com back in February 2022, titled “The Ascent of Ashlynn Park.”
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
A$AP Rocky was honored with the Fashion Icon Award, presented by Anna Wintour. In 2014, Rihanna received the Fashion Icon Award, making it a family affair. Mark my words. It won’t be long until their three children are also honored!
Additional honors included Donatella Versace receiving the Positive Change Award, Cynthia Rowley receiving the Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert, and Jerry Lorenzo of Fear of God accepting the Innovation Award presented by Amazon Fashion. Naomi Campbell presented the International Award to Pieter Mulier of Alaia.
Ralph Rucci & Tatiana Sorokko, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
At the same time, my dear friend Ralph Rucci was celebrated with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, handed to him by Thom Browne.
The ceremony opened with remarks from CFDA Chairman Thom Browne and was hosted by Teyana Taylor, who changed into 4 different Thom Browne outfits throughout the evening (the first was the best and sums up the idea of American style!). There was a performance by Olivia Dean and a film presentation by Nian Fish reflecting on the year in American fashion. Jenna Lyons returned as the official red-carpet host.
Dove Cameron, Steven Kolb, Paul Arnhold, Eiza Gonzales, Nominee Wes Gordon, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
For the third year in a row, this annual event was held at the American Museum of Natural History. According to CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, the museum is a favorite venue for Chairman Thom Browne thanks to its grand proportions, iconic status, and, of course, those dramatic stairs. The only other place that surpasses this, close in New York, is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and for obvious reasons, that is never going to happen.
Jamie Soros in Bach Mai speaking with Andrew Bolton, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner.
Upon arrival, those holding “VIP” tickets were directed to the left, leading straight to the red (or, in this case, white) carpet, which was in gridlock and continued on past the 7:30 hour. The others went straight ahead or to a subsequent photo op area. There’s nothing like being made to feel like a second-class citizen, lol.
Historically, these awards have often been held in June, and sometimes in January or February, which are generally quieter times. The shift to a November date is a more recent trend. To say a lot is going on right now, socially and politically, is an understatement. The fact that Halloween was just a few days ago is not lost on me, as several guests looked like they were still in costume. We are all in a costume of one kind or another anyway, but it’s always much more exaggerated in the fashion world.
Host Teyana Taylor in custom Thom Browne, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
To say that aesthetics has changed markedly in the last few decades is an understatement. When I began attending this high-profile award ceremony, men and women dressed in a way that was respectful and universally elegant. There is no universal dress code now. It’s all about shock and awe.
Some guests looked like they were going to the Oscars (or Buckingham Palace). Others were so plain, simple, and underdone, they might have just left work. It looks like dressing down is “The New Black”. There was plenty in between, not all of it that memorable.
Some got it right. I kind of loved that A$AP Rocky and Rihanna in Alaia (both wearing very pricey jewelry; over $625,000 worth to be exact) were rather casual and understated. Within many circles, the couple is considered as “Fashion Royalty”, yet they did not show up looking like the King and Queen of England.
Allison Serafim in Brandon Maxwell and vintage Fendi, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
The dress code for the evening was “American Black Tie,” and the night, of course, is a celebration of American designers. Many wore Thom Browne (some more successfully than others), and several women wore Marc Jacobs, whose designs are at once strange and couture-like. The always chic Tatiana Sorokko looked elegant and regal in Ralph Rucci’s hand-painted gazar coat from fall 2013.
In a sea of black, Jamie Soros stood out in her vibrant yellow Duchess satin Bach Mai design. Allison Serafin did not look like anyone else. Her hair in braids (fake, she said), Serafin paired her Brandon Maxwell black gown with a vintage Fendi fur jacket that had an incredible shape. The combo worked.
Marilyn Kirschner
My outfit was a mix of American designers. I wore a vintage Ralph Lauren velvet top with a vintage Victor Costa skirt, accessorized with a gold leather Halston belt and ’70s Rafael Sanchez wood bag.
As good as you might have felt last night, or as good shape as you might be in, regardless of your age, there is no way you could be a match for Amber Valletta. The supermodel, 51, was there to present the Positive Change Award to Donatella for her work in the fashion industry, including her philanthropic efforts, support for the LGBTQ+ community, and commitment to sustainability.
Amber Valletta in vintage Versace, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
She arrived wearing the iconic green jungle Versace dress she originally debuted on the Milan runway in September 1999 during the Versace Spring/Summer 2000 show, over two decades ago.
Donatella Versace wore it to the Rock Style Met Gala that December — back when the event was held in winter rather than the now-iconic first Monday in May slot. Geri Halliwell even got there before J. Lo, wearing the same dress to the NRJ Music Awards in France in January 2000.
Only then did Jennifer take it global a month later. Twenty-five years later, she is still radiant and magnetic. Wearing the dress that started it all was a full-circle moment, and she owned it.
