The 2026 CFDA Awards gathered the fashion community in New York for an evening of honours, speeches and carefully staged looks on the cream carpet at the American Museum of Natural History. The ceremony celebrated creative achievement across menswear, womenswear and photographic work, while also serving as an unofficial farewell to one prominent creative director after a decade-long run.
The night combined formal recognition with a parade of high-glamour outfits: established designers collected trophies, celebrated photographers were saluted for lifelong work, and a clutch of celebrities wore looks that spoke to both loyalty and the designer moments that defined recent seasons. Alongside awards, conversations on the carpet focused on legacy, influence and how a single maison’s aesthetic can shape red-carpet codes.
Who was honoured at the awards ceremony
Among the major awards, the ceremony acknowledged key industry figures across categories. The Fashion Icon Award went to an influential figure known for their impact on retail and design; the event also recognized a prominent designer with a Positive Change Award for philanthropic or sustainability-driven initiatives. Photographic contributions were celebrated with a Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to a distinguished duo whose images have documented fashion for decades. In the international arena, the International Designer of the Year Award was presented to the creative director who is now concluding a decade-long tenure at Saint Laurent.
These awards underscore how the CFDA blends celebration of commercial success with recognition of creative longevity. The honourees included people whose work spans boutique ateliers to global brands, and their prizes highlighted both singular career achievements and contributions to the wider culture of fashion.
Red carpet moments and the Saint Laurent golden quartet
The evening’s cream carpet featured a mix of minimalist suiting, vintage showpieces and show-stopping metallics. One prevailing motif was a run of gold looks from Saint Laurent, presented as part of the house’s Spring 2027 collection and worn by several high-profile guests. The designer honoured with the international prize stepped into the spotlight flanked by four prominent women—each interpreting the gold lamé and brocade pieces distinctly, creating a cohesive yet varied tableau.
Zoë Kravitz, Hailey Bieber, Rosé and Anja Rubik: the golden quartet
Zoë Kravitz opted for a metallic backless bodysuit paired with a low-waisted pencil skirt, a look that juxtaposed her long-standing association with black against a gleaming new palette. Her outfit was accessorized with standout lace flower Cabochon earrings and contrasting coloured slingbacks, emphasizing how small details can shift a signature aesthetic.
Hailey Bieber wore a gold brocade two-piece featuring fur-trimmed cuffs and layered elements that referenced 1980s glamour. While some observers debated the skirt’s proportions relative to her styling, the ensemble reinforced the collection’s baroque influences and attention to texture.
Rosé selected a similar brocade silhouette—a halterneck crop top paired with a higher-waisted midi skirt—demonstrating how proportion and cut can alter a design’s impact. Diamond jewellery and refined sandals completed her interpretation, presenting a more classic evening shape within the same material language.
Anja Rubik embraced an overtly retro spirit with an oversized jacket and relaxed skirt in gold lamé, evoking disco-era glamour and runway drama. Her look underlined the collection’s capacity to reference the past while remaining wearable for the present moment.
Other notable looks and designers on the carpet
Beyond the Saint Laurent moment, the cream carpet hosted a variety of notable outfits: a denim gown that transformed utilitarian fabric into eveningwear, goth-glam black suiting from emerging womenswear names, and tailored menswear from established houses. Some attendees chose archival or vintage pieces, signaling how fashion memory plays a role in awards-night dressing. Jewellery choices ranged from pared-back diamonds to sculptural statement pieces, reinforcing the evening’s balance between restraint and spectacle.
Ultimately, the 2026 CFDA Awards served both as a platform for institutional recognition and as a snapshot of current red carpet tendencies. The ceremony marked significant career milestones for honourees and illustrated how a single creative voice—when honoured and embraced by close collaborators—can produce one of the evening’s most memorable visual narratives.
