New York’s fashion crowd gathered on Monday 2 November for the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards, the evening often called the Oscars of American fashion. Organised by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and presented by Amazon Fashion, the ceremony returned to the American Museum of Natural History for a fourth year running, with drinks among the dioramas and dinner beneath the great blue whale in the Hall of Ocean Life. Keke Palmer hosted, and presenters included Lupita Nyong’o, Matt Damon, Naomi Osaka and Cole Escola.
The winners
Rachel Scott of Diotima, whose work blends Jamaican craft techniques with sharp tailoring, was named American Womenswear Designer of the Year, while Ralph Lauren took the menswear title. Of particular interest to jewellery lovers, the Brazilian-born, New York-based sculptor and jeweller Ana Khouri won American Accessory Designer of the Year, ahead of nominees including The Row and Coach. Brooklyn designer Colleen Allen received the Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year award.
Anthony Vaccarello was honoured as International Designer of the Year for a decade at the creative helm of Saint Laurent. Tory Burch received the Positive Change Award, photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, and Gap Inc. the Innovation Award. Eva Chen, Linda Fargo, Susan Cianciolo and the architect Peter Marino were also among the honorees.
The looks
Gold was the colour of the night. Keke Palmer opened in a vintage gold Bob Mackie halter gown, first worn by Raquel Welch on television in 1975, as a tribute to the designer. Hailey Bieber, Rosé and Zoë Kravitz presented Vaccarello’s award in matching shades of gleaming Saint Laurent gold, each in a different silhouette. Demi Moore, presenting the Innovation Award, made a case for denim after dark in a GapStudio gown by Zac Posen, finished with a small denim bag.
Elsewhere, black was the safe and stylish choice for guests such as Gracie Abrams and Pamela Anderson, the latter in Carolina Herrera with a polka-dot clutch. Polka dots turned out to be a surprise theme, while Elle Fanning chose a long powder-pink silk dress by Coach.
If the evening inspires you, a sculptural statement from our rings or bracelets brings a touch of that golden glow, and our earrings, pendant necklaces and jewellery sets are made for evenings out. To finish the look, browse our women’s handbags or, for him, men’s clutches.
Sources: Vanity Fair Italia, CFDA via PR Newswire, WWD, Vogue.
