| The CFDA 2026 Fashion Awards took place on November 2nd, 2026, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Rachel Scott of Diotima won American Womenswear Designer of the Year. Ralph Lauren received the American Menswear Designer of the Year award. Ana Khouri won the accessories category, while Colleen Allen was named American Emerging Designer of the Year. |
The CFDA 2026 Fashion Awards brought together leading designers, industry figures and celebrities at New York’s American Museum of Natural History on November 2nd. Among the evening’s principal winners, Rachel Scott, Ralph Lauren, Ana Khouri and Colleen Allen represented different generations and approaches to contemporary American fashion.
Hosted by actress Keke Palmer, the ceremony recognized established careers alongside independent designers gaining wider attention. The annual event, organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, also acknowledged contributions to photography, retail, media and social responsibility.
Rachel Scott wins American Womenswear Designer of the Year
Rachel Scott received the American Womenswear Designer of the Year award for her label Diotima, presented by Lupita Nyong’o and Francisco Costa.
Born in Jamaica, Scott has developed a distinctive approach to womenswear through the combination of Caribbean craftsmanship and precise tailoring. Her collections incorporate traditional artisanal techniques, particularly crochet, alongside contemporary silhouettes informed by New York and European fashion.
The award adds to her growing recognition within the industry. Scott previously received the womenswear distinction in 2024 and has also been honored for her work as an emerging designer.
Beyond Diotima, Scott serves as Creative director of Proenza Schouler, extending her influence across two different fashion businesses.
Her fellow nominees included Catherine Holstein of Khaite, Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Wes Gordon of Carolina Herrera.
Ralph Lauren receives the Menswear Award
Ralph Lauren was named American Menswear Designer of the Year, with Matt Damon and Tremaine Emory presenting the award.
The recognition marks another achievement in Lauren’s long career. He previously won the menswear category in 1996 and 2007, while his womenswear collections received the same distinction in 1995 and 2025.
Lauren’s work remains closely associated with American sportswear, classic tailoring and a consistent interpretation of everyday elegance.
This year, he competed against Thom Browne, Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria and Public School designers Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne.
His victory illustrates the continued relevance of established fashion houses in an industry increasingly attentive to younger independent labels.
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Ana Khouri and Colleen Allen receive major recognition
Brazilian-born jewelry designer Ana Khouri won American Accessory Designer of the Year.
Based in New York, Khouri approaches jewelry through sculptural forms and an interest in the relationship between objects and the human body. Her award came after several previous nominations.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn-based Colleen Allen received the Google American Emerging Designer of the Year award.
Allen, also a 2026 LVMH Prize nominee, has attracted attention for her independent womenswear collections. Her win acknowledges a younger generation developing individual design identities outside the industry’s largest fashion houses.
Anthony Vaccarello and Tory Burch among special honorees
Anthony Vaccarello received the International Designer of the Year award for his work at Saint Laurent. Hailey Bieber, Zoë Kravitz and Rosé presented the distinction.
Tory Burch received the Positive Change Award, recognizing her foundation’s support for women entrepreneurs.
Photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin were honored with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other recipients included Bergdorf Goodman’s Linda Fargo, Meta fashion executive Eva Chen and designer Susan Cianciolo.
Architect Peter Marino received the Fashion Icon Award, while Gap Inc. earned the Innovation Award, accepted by Richard Dickson and Zac Posen.