Inside the CFDA Fashion Awards 2024: Kylie Jenner, Troye Sivan, Blake Lively and More Red Carpet and Gala Live Updates
“What the shell?” said Addison Rae, holding a conch shell to her ear cheekily as she posed in her Thom Browne look. The “Aquamarine” singer was an early arrival to the 2024 CFDA Awards, held for the second year in a row at the American Museum of Natural History. After entertaining the crowd around her, Rae announced the end of her act.
“Guys I’m leaving,” she said into the shell. “Gotta go to the CFDAs.”
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Thom Browne, the chairman of the CFDA, was a popular designer for the night, dressing the likes of Sebastian Stan, Icon Award winner Erykah Badu and Jenna Lyons.
CFDA chief executive officer Steven Kolb sung the praises of Badu, the night’s fashion Icon Award winner.
“She’s probably, for a lot of people, an unexpected icon at first thought, but when you actually pause and think about it for a moment, and look at how she’s been dressed, how she is so enthusiastic about fashion, how much she loves fashion…” Kolb said. “She is definitely the opposite of expected. She is about her individual [style] sense, and that comes across.”
Kolb was followed shortly by the evening’s stars: the designers, many with celebrity dates in tow.
Zac Posen was an early arrival with event host Cynthia Erivo, dressed in a custom Gap look. “I took the Gap hoodie — we just relaunched a new hoodie that’s an incredible weight — and I took the hoodie, doubled it, found the hood shape, saw how it fell,” said Posen. “And built the rest of it a day and a week ago.”
Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell of Tanner Fletcher, who had been nominated for the Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year award, were in matching looks with actor Brandon Flynn.
“We knew we wanted to do all coordinating looks, so we’re all wearing different silhouettes. But it’s all the same fabrics and different levels of pussy bows,” said Richie.
“I have a big ruffle around my neck and I just feel served up. I feel like I’m ready to be devoured,” added Flynn.
“I’m really touched to be nominated,” added Henry Zankov, who won American Emerging Designer of the Year. “There’s a whole new community of designers coming up in New York; I think it’s a fresh new wave, and it feels really great to be a part of that. I feel like my work is being acknowledged, and I feel like I’m part of the fabric of the fashion industry in New York.”
Diotima designer Rachel Scott, who won the emerging designer award last year, described the honor as “hugely significant.”
“Before and after the award, so many people that I’d never met came over to introduce themselves to me, which was really special,” says Scott of the year prior. “I’ve only been around for three-and-a-half years, and I have a very small business in comparison to the other nominees — who I have to say I have enormous respect for,” she added. “It’s just an incredible honor to be nominated, just to be recognized by your peers.”
“I love being able to celebrate designers and trailblazers and so many extraordinary people that have not only paved the way, but that are also making such an impact in American fashion today,” said LaQuan Smith, who dressed singer Victoria Monet for the night. “So this is a celebration for the fashion community and just the highlight of all the incredible things that we are doing and that we’re working toward.”
“Damn you look good!” someone shouted at Willy Chavarria, winner of the American Menswear Designer of the Year award, as he posed with his crew. The designer arrived with a velvet-clad team of J Balvin, Omar Apollo, Joan Smalls, Precious Lee, Danny Ramirez and more. Between shots with his celebrity guests, he spotted Raul Lopez of Luar.
“My sis, my sis!” Lopez said as he went up to Chavarria for a photo.
“It’s velvet. The color is very autumn, very fall, very spooky,” said Apollo of his Willy Chavarria velvet suit. “It’s cool. I love it. I feel really confident.” The musician is making his acting debut this fall with Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer,” and the trailer was set to be released the following day.
“It’s so beautiful to be part of such an important story and author,” said Apollo of his role in the film. “[The film] is beautiful, and I can’t believe I’m in it. I watched it twice. I’m like, man, whoa. It’s kind of still hitting me. I don’t believe it.”
A thoroughly tanned Blake Lively strutted in with Michael Kors; the two cut the line for the step and repeat, as those waiting (Prabal Gurung among them) looked on. “Hi Willy!” enthused Kors, greeting Chavarria with a double-cheek kiss as he passed by en route to cocktails.
“It feels like some surreal homecoming. The fact that Thom Browne is the chair of the CFDA makes it especially dear to me, because he mentored me for so long,” said Daniel Roseberry, who was being honored with the International Designer of the Year award and noted that despite working abroad as creative director for Schiaparelli, he is actually, in fact, American.
“I think for young designers, there’s this obsession with the debut and getting started,” added Roseberry. “And it’s so easy to debut. The hard part is what happens after that. And so to be in a room with American masters, it’s so humbling because you start to realize how much work, and discipline, and rigor and work ethic goes into maintaining a career over decades.”
“Saturday Night Live” star Sarah Sherman was succinct in describing what she was looking forward to as a guest of Coach: “I’m excited for food,” she said.
Inside the actual cocktail room, the bells chimed for everyone to head to dinner, but Amy Fine Collins and Reuben Toledo stayed deep in conversation by a monkey exhibit. Over by the elephants, Molly Ringwald chatted next to Tommy Hilfiger.
Kelsea Ballerini dipped into cocktails past Marc Jacobs, who was busy showing off his manicure to cameras.
“I haven’t seen Paris yet,” a rep told Nicky Hilton Rothschild, who didn’t seem surprised at her sister’s late arrival. Hilton Rothschild took advantage of the time by powdering her nose with a brush.
A ball skirt-clad Darren Criss and Christian Siriano were stopped by Jeremy O. Harris as they dipped through the entrance at 8 p.m. — the program’s official star time. Cigarette break? Irish goodbye? We love a little mystery.
CFDA Awards 2024 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos, Live Updates
Launch Gallery: Best Moments Inside the CFDA Awards 2024: Photos
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