Rachel Scott of Diotima was named the CFDA’s American Womenswear Designer of the Year, presented Monday night at the American Museum of Natural History.
The Jamaican-born Scott, who won the top women’s prize in 2024, beat out such designers as Catherine Holstein for Khaite, Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera. Scott was presented the award by Lupita Nyong’o.
In her Diotima collection, Scott combines traditional Jamaican artisanal techniques with sharp New York and European tailoring. She also won the CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year award in 2024. In addition to Diotima, Scott is the creative director of Proenza Schouler.
Ralph Lauren
Courtesy Photo
Lauren has won the menswear award two previous times — in 1996 and 2007. Last year, Lauren won the American Womenswear Designer of the Year for the second time, having also won in 1995.
Naomi Osaka and Joseph Altuzarra presented the American Accessories Designer of the Year award to Ana Khouri, a Brazilian-born sculptor and high-jewelry designer who is based in New York. Khouri was vying against Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen for The Row, Raul Lopez for Luar, Sophie Buhai, and Stuart Vevers for Coach.
Cole Escola and Gabriela Hearst gave out the Google American Emerging Designer of the Year Award to Colleen Allen, a Brooklyn-based New York fashion designer and founder of her eponymous womenswear collection. She beat out Emily Dawn Long, Julia Ferentinos for Juju Vera, Julian Louie for Aubero, and Zane Li for Lii. Allen was also a nominee for the 2026 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers.
During the evening, Tory Burch received the Positive Change Award; photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin went home with this year’s Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award; Anthony Vaccarello, outgoing creative director of Yves Saint Laurent (who has confirmed he is departing the house after a 10-year run), received the International Designer of the Year Award, and Linda Fargo, senior vice president, fashion office and store presentation at Bergdorf Goodman, won the Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert.
Tory Burch
Yvonne Tnt/BFA.com
The Media Award honoring Eugenia Sheppard went to Eva Chen, vice president of fashion at Meta, and the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ tribute was presented to Susan Cianciolo, fashion designer and artist whose Run collection was an early model of sustainable fashion and community.
Demi Moore presented the Innovation Award Presented by Amazon Fashion to Gap Inc., accepted by Richard Dickson and Zac Posen.
Peter Marino, the renowned architect, won the Fashion Icon Award, which was presented to him by Cornelia Guest.
Peter Marino
M. Yllera, courtesy shot
The CFDA Fashion Awards presented by Amazon Fashion was hosted by Keke Palmer.