The CFDA Countdown Begins: Designers Who Made the Cut
By: Mackenzie Penrod Staff Writer Edited by: Angiolina Hukovic
In fashion, few honors carry more weight than a CFDA Award. Since 1980, the Council of Fashion Designers of America has celebrated the creativity, innovation, and leadership that shapes the industry, earning the annual ceremony its nickname as “The Oscars of Fashion.” Held in November, the black-tie event recognizes standouts in womenswear, menswear, accessories, emerging designers, media, and more. For designers, it is more than an awards ceremony; It’s a career-defining dream. This year’s nominees highlight these achievements, showcasing both established talent and the next generation of fashion.
For those who might not know, the CFDA Awards are an annual set of awards recognizing designers in specific categories. Nominations are submitted by the Fashion Guild, a group of over 1,500 members who are a part of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This includes many professionals who are currently working in fashion-related fields such as retail, fashion editors, stylists, and more. The Fashion Guild reviews candidates in each category and then submits their nominations. Afterwards, the CFDA compiles the entries and announces them before the awards ceremony, much like the VMAs, Grammys, and the Oscars. Winners are then determined by a CFDA member vote and are announced at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York, this year being held on November 2nd, 2026.
The 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards (presented by Amazon Fashion) were held at the American Museum of Natural History, and starred Teyana Taylor as the event's host. Each year, 15 to 16 awards are presented, including special honor awards typically given to recognize excellence in the fashion industry. In 2025, several notable awards were given, including Ralph Lauren for the American Womenswear Designer of the Year; Thom Browne for the American Menswear Designer of the Year; and Ashlyn Park for the Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year.
In contrast to most awards that are focused on the designer, the Fashion Icon Award recognizes a person’s influence on fashion culture, their ability to shape trends and inspire generations, and their ability to become a notable symbol of style to the public. According to a survey reported in The Bold Collection, “78% of fashion professionals consider the CFDA Fashion Icon Award the most prestigious individual honor in American fashion today.” Honorees for this award are also selected based on their cultural footprint, presence online, and their impact which spans across decades. Several past recipients include Beyoncé (2016), Rihanna (2014), Zendaya (2021), A$AP Rocky (2025), and more. Each winner truly exemplifies influence that “reaches far beyond red carpet moments.”
While announcing the nominees for the 2026 CFDAs, there were a few eye-catching names. For the American Womenswear Designer of the Year, nominees include Catherine Holstein, Michael Kors, Rachel Scott, Tory Burch, and Wes Gordon. However, one name stands out from the rest: Rachel Scott. Known for her recent work in fusing Caribbean craftsmanship and modern luxury, and highlighting Jamaican artisan hand-crocheting techniques, Scott has become a prominent voice in the fashion industry.
For the American Menswear Designer of the Year, nominees include Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osbourne, Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, Todd Snyder, and Willy Chavarria. This year, Thom Browne earned his nomination for his creative Spring 2026 Paris collection, that reimagined the grey flannel through an extraterrestrial lens (literally.) His nomination represents conceptual tailoring, creative designs, and viewing fashion through a new and unique lens.
Another award set to stand out each year is the Google American Emerging Designer of the Year award, which highlights new and emerging American fashion designers whose early work shows strong promise, a creative vision, and cultural relevance. The 2026 nominees are Colleen Allen, Emily Dawn Long, Julia Ferentinos, Julian Louie, and Zane Li. In particular, Julian Louie stood out to the CFDA for his blend of architectural influences and craft-driven menswear. Louie expresses a clear identity in his designs, seen in his asymmetry, draping, and unique fabric combinations. This evident style is something that the CFDA looks for in upcoming designers.
Finally, six recipients have already been announced, for awards including The Positive Change Award – Tory Burch; The International Designer of the Year Award – Anthony Vaccarello, Saint Laurent; The Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert – Linda Fargo; and more. These recipients have already been announced as they are being recognized as honorees, rather than normal nominee winners. This honor is meant to celebrate lifetime achievements, societal and cultural impact, and leadership in the industry.
When the annual CFDA awards come around on November 2nd, be sure to tune in, not just to see the fabulous carpet segment, but the award ceremony as well. You’ll be able to see the well-deserved recognition of many established designers, as well as the emergence of the new “up-and-comers.” In a few seasons, maybe one of this year’s emerging designers might be nominated for American Men's/Womenswear Designer of the Year. Who knows? That’s the beauty of fashion—it’s constantly ever-changing and making space for new voices and talent, and we all get to witness it.
© 2026 by FETCH COLLECTIVE
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