As it’s the first of Monday of June, it’s time to honour the best and brightest in American design at the CFDA Fashion Awards. Hours before the first celebrity has been asked “who are you wearing?” on the red carpet and host Issa Rae provides the first laugh, we round-up a few of the night’s biggest winners and make a few predictions.
Edward Enninful, Media Award
His British Vogue revolution might just be 13-months-young but Edward Enninful’s prolific career began 30 years ago with i-D. After modelling in our pages as a 16-year-old, the Ghana-born, London-based talent began assisting on shoots at 17, before becoming the youngest ever editor at a major fashion magazine when he was named i-D’s Fashion Editor at 18 and Fashion Director at 19 years old, a role he held for 20 years. Edward went on to be the Fashion and Style Director of W Magazine, and a contributing editor to the Italian and American editions of Vogue. The diversity champion and forever i-D family member was awarded an OBE in June 2016 and replaced Alexandra Shulman as editor last year. “He’s stylish, he’s beautiful and he’s full of ideas, i-D founders Terry Jones and Tricia Jones explained at the time, “in his new role we know he will continue to inspire the next generation of sensitive, creative individuals.” With his first cover seeing i-D favourite Adwoa Aboah usher in the new dawn for December 2017, the world hasn’t looked back.
Kim Kardashian, Influencer Award
“Fashion Insiders” might be mocking this award but who else other than the 112m-and-rising Instagram followed Keeping Up With the Kardashians star could walk away with the inaugural Influencer Award. From unveiling Yeezy product to pushing diet shakes or teaching us to take the ultimate selfie, she’s the product-pushing pop culture phenomenon of modern times.
Diane von Furstenberg, Swarovski Award for Positive Change
As chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the CFDA Awards tend to be a big night for the wrap dress pioneer. Revolutionising what working women wore, by 1976, she had sold over one million dresses and even graced the cover of Newsweek. Not only do her elegant style and classic designs continue to inspire and empower women around the world, Diane has become a keen activist within the industry itself, championing everything from diversity to models’ health. After walking away with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 CFDA Awards, this year sees her recognised for her fashion philanthropy.
Donatella Versace, International Award
Versace, Versace, Versace. After the British Fashion Council honoured Donatella Versace with The Fashion Icon Award at last year’s Fashion Awards, it’s the turn of the CFDA to recognise her greatness.
Who will win the battle between Raf Simons and Virgil Abloh?
This year, Raf Simons for Calvin Klein and Virgil Abloh for Off-White are both up for the Menswear and Womenswear Designer of the Year Awards. Raf Simons walked away with both last year, could he do the double-double or will fashion’s most hyped pip him to the prize? Of course, each category is filled with award-worthy alternatives — Marc Jacobs, Supreme and the Olsens to name just three — but these two names highlight the seismic shift that luxury fashion has experienced in recent seasons. While the quiet Belgian might be done talking about the hotly followed Louis Vuitton men’s artistic director, there’s still plenty to discuss. We predict both will leave the night with something shiny.
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