Here Are the 2025 CFDA Fashion Award Winners
Last night, stars, icons, and industry titans gathered underneath the American Museum of Natural History’s immersive installations to fête the annual CFDA Fashion Awards. After an unusually hectic year of shake-ups, which brought 15 debuts and awaits three more, there was much to celebrate—and even more to discuss.
Before sitting down for dinner, guests milled around inside the Akeley Hall of African Mammals. The dress code for the evening was “American Black Tie,” and many celebrities showed their full support of American designers. Lily Allen arrived arm-in-arm with Colleen Allen, a Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year nominee, in a white lace two-piece ensemble from the designer’s spring/summer 2026 collection. Supermodel Paloma Elsesser wore a pearly low-cut gown from Jonathan Simkhai, and Teyana Taylor—the evening’s host—sported a sculptural custom look by Thom Browne draped with oversized jewels. More than one attendee was spotted paying homage to what menswear influencer Jake Woolf, in a tuxedo jacket and bow tie paired with vintage Levi’s, referred to as “Ralph Lauren-inspired” black tie.
Teyana Taylor in custom Thom Browne.
October ELLE cover star A$AP Rocky and Rihanna arrived fashionably late to the red carpet, hosted by former J.Crew executive creative director and Real Housewives alumna Jenna Lyons. In October, the CFDA announced that A$AP would receive this year’s Fashion Icon Award—the same one that Rihanna took home in 2014. The duo donned full Chanel and fresh-off-the-runway Alaïa, respectively, further cementing their status as the industry’s sartorial power couple. After accepting the honor, A$AP said, “Y’all stay blessed and I’m gonna stay pretty.”
Following the cocktails, guests were ushered into the Hall of Ocean Life, where the ceremony got underway. Ralph Lauren took home the American Womenswear Designer of the Year honors, 30 years after his first win in 1995. Likewise, Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen clinched Accessories Designer of the Year, marking their fourth win in the category and sixth overall CFDA Award. Donatella Versace was also honored with the Positive Change Award, presented by Amber Valletta and Ariana DeBose. The former Versace creative director stepped down from her design duties earlier this year, following nearly 30 years at the helm, and is now chief brand ambassador. “Please never, ever compromise your vision,” Versace told her fellow designers in the audience.
Christopher John Rogers, Ashlynn Park, and Addison Rae.
Ashlynn Park, a 2022 LVMH Prize semi-finalist, was named the Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year, with the award presented by Christopher John Rogers and Addison Rae. In an interview before the ceremony, Park told ELLE that the nomination felt like an official welcome from the American fashion industry: “It was very warm and vulnerable, a message from the network and circle, adopting me as one of their designers in the industry. It’s really emotional.” Onstage, she rejoiced, telling guests that she felt over the moon.
See the full list of the 2025 CFDA Fashion Award winners below.
American Womenswear Designer of the Year
Ralph Lauren
American Menswear Designer of the Year
Thom Browne
American Accessory Designer of the Year
Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen, The Row
Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year
Ashlynn Park, Ashlyn
Fashion Icon Award
A$AP Rocky
Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard
Sarah Moonves
Positive Change Award
Donatella Versace
Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert
Cynthia Rowley
Innovation Award presented by Amazon Fashion
Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God
Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Tribute
Andre Walker
International Award
Pieter Mulier, Alaïa
The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award
Ralph Rucci