CFDA Awards Three Black Designers For The First Time
The virtual event gave black designers top awards.
Unlike past years, there was no red carpet event for the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s event. We have seen so many award shows go virtual due to Coronavirus, but we hadn’t see CFDA award prizes to Black creatives – until now.
Tom Ford, president of the CFDA since June 2019, announced the winners via social media. The menswear designer of the year was taken home (or, won at home) by Kerby Jean-Raymond for Pyer Moss. He was up against Emily Adams Bode for Bode, Thom Browne, Todd Snyder and Tom Ford. In a year of highlighting Black creatives, controversy was stirred when Tom Ford was nominated. In 2014 he won the lifetime achievement award and he is acting president.
Telfar Clemens of the iconic Telfar (you know you want a Telfar bag) took home the accessory designer of the year and Christopher John Rogers was awarded the emerging designer of the year. In August CaSandra Diggs, a Black woman, was promoted to the president of the organization, while in September there was a Black advisory board responsible for all CFDA efforts on diversity, equality and inclusivity.
2020 has been a year of amplifying Black voices, so it’s great to see CFDA doing so. Especially after so many fashion publications have admitted that they are falling short on diversity.
Top image by Lara Gilibert
Preview image by Jamie Stoker
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