Lauded as an event that recognises the extraordinary design excellence in womenswear, menswear and accessories, the Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Awards aka the CFDA Awards is for the “tastemakers, trendsetters, and the chosen ones” however, the real star of the night wasn’t the incredible President Diane Von Furstenberg but the evening’s host, the unlikely James Corden…
One of the biggest night’s in American fashion, the CFDA Awards honours breakthrough talents as well as industry legends, inspiring upstarts as well as celebrating celebrity style icons with everyone keeping a beady eye on the red carpet, on the look out for the best dressed.
Sponsored by Swarovski, the night was dazzling in every sense literally from Gigi Hadid’s sparkling jumpsuit to the fashion star power of CDFA President Diane Von Furstenberg as well as Vogue editor Anna Wintour and designer Tory Burch. However, the biggest shock of the night was the appointment of British comedian and actor, and new host on The Late Late Show, James Corden, as the MC for the night and who absolutely stole the show thanks to his hilarious script.
Here are some of the best extracts:
“Now, I know what a lot of you are thinking. You’re thinking, ‘How many people must have said no for us to end up with this guy?’ Me hosting a fashion awards [show] is ridiculous. Me being here has disaster written all over it. Asking me to host the CFDA’s is like asking Terry Richardson to host your daughter’s birthday party. But honestly, if I stand here and I look out at this room, I couldn’t be more proud to be here. You are the tastemakers, you are the trendsetters, you are the chosen ones. I would like to congratulate all of the nominees. I want you to know that you are all winners. In about two hours’ time, the majority of you will be losers. So I think it’s important you enjoy this moment, right now….
“Now, I know what a lot of you are thinking. You’re thinking, ‘How many people must have said no for us to end up with this guy?’ Me hosting a fashion awards [show] is ridiculous. Me being here has disaster written all over it. Asking me to host the CFDA’s is like asking Terry Richardson to host your daughter’s birthday party. But honestly, if I stand here and I look out at this room, I couldn’t be more proud to be here. You are the tastemakers, you are the trendsetters, you are the chosen ones. I would like to congratulate all of the nominees. I want you to know that you are all winners. In about two hours’ time, the majority of you will be losers. So I think it’s important you enjoy this moment, right now…
“Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West are here tonight. We would like to congratulate you on your news today. There you are. Look at you, you beautiful b******s. Did you all know this? They’re having another baby. Amazing news. Kris Jenner said she can’t wait to meet her newest cast member, I mean grandchild. Your daughter North West famously threw a tantrum while sat side stage at a runway show this year. Kanye was not happy. He told her after the show that the West family only throws tantrums onstage. Kim and Kanye are both presenting this evening. I should warn you that Kanye is going to interrupt both speeches to say that Beyoncé should have won both of them.
“Pharrell Williams is here tonight, ladies and gentlemen. Pharrell has been named the Fashion Icon of 2015 and rightly so. I mean, Pharrell, dude, you can literally wear anything and make it cool…
“The truth is, without fashion, we would all be naked, and if you’re standing next to either me or Harvey Weinstein later, you’re going to be thankful that that isn’t the case. Please welcome to the stage a designer who has set the standard in this industry for decades. It’s like I always say, if you’re not Furstenberg, you’re last-enberg. Please welcome the President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Diane von Furstenberg.”
And with that James Corden has become and international legend….
And The Winner Is
However, let’s not forget the real reason of the night was to rejoice in fashion and without further ado here are the winners of the CFDA Awards 2015:
Womenswear Designer of the Year: Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row
Menswear Designer of the Year: Tom Ford
Accessories Designer of the Year: Tabitha Simmons
Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Rosie Assoulin
Swarovski Award for Menswear: Shayne Oliver for Hood by Air
Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel for Mansur Gavriel
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Betsey Johnson
The Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard: Instagram
The Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert: Millard “Mickey” Drexler, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of J.Crew Group, Inc.
International Award: Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino
The Fashion Icon Award went to Pharrell Williams who received the coveted award wearing a surprisingly casual outfit – jeans and a blue leather jacket. According to the CFDA website: “The Fashion Icon Award is given to an individual whose style has made a significant impact on popular culture on an international stage.” Past winners have included Lady Gaga, Johnny Depp and Rihanna.
Check out our gallery for the best dressed on the night.
