RAF SIMONS’ CALVIN KLEIN SWEEPS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CATEGORIES AT CFDA AWARDS
On Monday, June 5 the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) paid tribute to the winners and honorees of the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards in partnership with Swarovski at The Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Seth Meyers, the Emmy Award-winning host of NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” was the host for the evening. The Awards took place in partnership with Swarovski for the sixteenth consecutive year.
The evening’s Womenswear Designer of the Year honors went to Raf Simons for Calvin Klein, presented by Nicole Kidman. Raf Simons also took home the Menswear Designer of the Year for Calvin Klein, presented to him by Armie Hammer. This marks the second time a designer has won this award for both Menswear and Womenswear. The first time was in 1993, when Calvin Klein himself received both honors.
Stuart Vevers took home the Accessory Designer of the Year Award for Coach, presented by Mandy Moore.
Kerry Washington presented the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent to Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia for Monse. The designers will receive generous financial support from the company as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative crystal products and applications for fashion.
The inaugural Swarovski Award for Positive Change was presented to Kenneth Cole by Jon Bon Jovi.
The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Rick Owens by his wife Michele Lamy.
Franca Sozzani was posthumously presented the Fashion Icon award by Anna Wintour. Sozzani’s son Francesco Carrozzini accepted the award on behalf of his late mother.
The Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert was presented to Pat McGrath by Amber Valletta and Karen Nelson.
Demna Gvasalia of Vetements and Balenciaga was recognized with this year’s International Award, presented by Alek Wek.
The Board of Directors’ Tribute was presented by CFDA Chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg to Gloria Steinem, Cecile Richards, and Janelle Monáe.
“Tonight, we have come together to honor the best and brightest talents and bring recognition to all of American fashion,” said Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the CFDA. “It was also a night to put a spotlight on the industry’s commitment to civic responsibility. We would like to thank Nadja Swarovski and Swarovski for sixteen years of a partnership that always inspires.”
“When Steven and I started to work together 10 years ago, our main goal was to make the CFDA more and more of a family, a family of talent,” added CFDA Chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg. “In a world where everything is changing so rapidly, talent is more important than ever. Business models may change, distribution may be disrupted, fashion week questioned, but talent is the heart, the engine, and that is what will make our industry not only survive but thrive. Talent is what we celebrate today.”