American designers always have one event circled on the calendar in thick red pen: the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, which honours the fashion industry’s top talent. This year’s red carpet was filled to the brim with well-dressed celebrities like Zendaya, Ciara, host Emily Blunt, and Anya Taylor-Joy, who came with their fashion A-game to support the nominees. Ashley Olsen was not just a guest but a nominee as well—The Row was a contender for the top accessory designer award but ultimately lost to Telfar.
“The 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards mark the much-anticipated in-person return to our biggest fundraiser for CFDA’s scholarship programmes,” CFDA CEO Steven Kolb said in a statement. “We’re also incredibly pleased to see several talented names among the nominees for the first time. American fashion is experiencing a renewed energy, and these designers play a significant role in the future trajectory of our industry.”
Keep reading to see the night’s top winners and the best red carpet looks.
American Womenswear Designer of the Year: Christopher John Rogers for Christopher John Rogers
American Menswear Designer of the Year: Emily Adams Bode for Bode
American Accessories Designer of the Year: Telfar Clemens for Telfar
American Emerging Designer of the Year: Edvin Thompson for Theophilio
Fashion Icon: Zendaya
Face of the Year: Anya Taylor-Joy
