Making history
> Double CFDA fashion whammy for Raf Simons
AS FAR as career highlights go, Raf Simons' three-year high-profile tenure at Christian Dior remains hard to trump. The Belgian designer showed the world that there is “life after Dior” by owning Monday night's CFDA awards. Simons scooped up America's top two fashion prizes – CFDA Womenswear and Menswear Designer of 2017 for Calvin Klein. Stuart Vevers and Rick Owens also featured on this year's honours list.
It seems there is no end to Raf Simons' universal critical acclaim. His commendable debut at US label Calvin Klein earned him not one, but two of fashion's finest accolades. Simons joined the label in January, and by February, he had the fashion industry at his feet with the launch of his madeto-measure range for America's most famed unisex fashion house and a runway event that became New York Fashion week's hottest ticket.
The double whammy for Simons marks the second time a designer has won the Council of Fashion Designers of America's award for both Menswear and Womenswear. Coincidentally, the first time was in 1993, when Calvin Klein himself received both honors.
Stuart Vevers took home the Accessory Designer of the Year
Award. US entertainment star Mandy Moore presented the British designer with the prize, which honoured his work at luxury leather goods label Coach.
Grunge glam designer Rick Owens was awarded with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.
One to watch –Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia for ready-towear label Monse picked up the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent. As a result, the designers will receive financial support from Swarovski as well as exposure to the top CFDA Awards sponsor's crystal products and applications for fashion.
Rising Georgian designer Demna Gvasalia of Vetements and Balenciaga was recognised with the CFDA's International Award while US designer Kenneth Cole was presented with the inaugural Swarovski Award for Positive Change.
Former Italian Vogue Editor Franca Sozzani was posthumously presented the Fashion Icon award by Anna Wintour.
Among the “front of house glory”, make-up maestro Pat McGrath made history this year as she was awarded The Founder's Award in honour of Eleanor Lambert. The win for McGrath paid a fitting tribute to the precious backstage hands that make fashion's all-important runway events possible.
The Board of Directors' Tribute was presented by CFDA Chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg to Women's rights activist and journalist Gloria Steinem, pro-choice activist Cecile Richards, and singer, actress and model Janelle Monáe.
All eyes were on Nicole Kidman who presented the Womenswear designer of the Year award. Dressed in Oscar de la Renta, the Australian actress provided one of the evening's most sensational red carpet moments. – AFP Relaxnews