The 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards crowned Rachel Scott, Ralph Lauren, Ana Khouri and Colleen Allen in New York. See every winner, honoree and red carpet look.
Key Facts
- What: The 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards, presented by Amazon Fashion
- When: Monday, November 2, 2026
- Where: The American Museum of Natural History, New York City
- Host: Keke Palmer
- Big winners: Rachel Scott for Diotima, Ralph Lauren, Ana Khouri, Colleen Allen
- Standout honoree: Anthony Vaccarello, International Designer of the Year
American fashion had its biggest night on Monday. The 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards crowned Rachel Scott of Diotima as American Womenswear Designer of the Year and handed Ralph Lauren the menswear prize. Keke Palmer hosted at New York’s American Museum of Natural History. The night also honored Anthony Vaccarello for his decade at Saint Laurent.
The CFDA Fashion Awards are often called the Oscars of American fashion. Winners are chosen from shortlists put forward by CFDA members, so a win here carries real weight. This year, however, craft, heritage, and nostalgia shaped almost every major moment.
2026 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners: The Full List
Four competitive prizes were handed out live on stage:
| Award | Winner | Other nominees |
|---|---|---|
| American Womenswear Designer of the Year | Rachel Scott for Diotima | Catherine Holstein for Khaite, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera |
| American Menswear Designer of the Year | Ralph Lauren | Public School New York, Thom Browne, Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria |
| American Accessory Designer of the Year | Ana Khouri | The Row, Raul Lopez for Luar, Sophie Buhai, Stuart Vevers for Coach |
| Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year | Colleen Allen | Emily Dawn Long, Juju Vera, Aubero, Lii |
Lupita Nyong’o and Francisco Costa presented the womenswear prize to Scott. Meanwhile, Matt Damon and Tremaine Emory handed Lauren his menswear award. Naomi Osaka and Joseph Altuzarra announced Khouri as the accessories winner. Finally, Cole Escola and Gabriela Hearst presented the emerging designer award to Allen.
Why Rachel Scott’s Win Matters for American Fashion
Scott’s victory rewards craft over noise. Diotima, her Jamaica-rooted label, is known for intricate crochet and sharp tailoring. As a result, her win sends a clear message: handwork and heritage still matter in a market obsessed with speed.
Scott also won this prize in 2024. A second win in three years puts her in rare company. It cements Diotima as one of the defining American labels of the decade. At the other end of the spectrum, Lauren’s win shows the staying power of an icon. He also took home the womenswear title last year.
2026 CFDA Fashion Awards Honorees: Who Else Won?
Beyond the four competitive categories, eight figures were honored for lifetime work and cultural impact:
- Anthony Vaccarello — International Designer of the Year, for ten years at Saint Laurent.
- Tory Burch — Positive Change Award, for supporting women entrepreneurs.
Tory Burch received the Positive Change Award at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards. Photo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. - Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin — Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Peter Marino — Fashion Icon Award.
- Gap Inc. — Innovation Award, announced by Demi Moore.
- Linda Fargo — Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert.
- Eva Chen — Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard.
- Susan Cianciolo — Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Tribute.
Vaccarello’s honor felt especially timely. He had just closed his Saint Laurent chapter with a glittering, almost entirely gold Paris show.
Best Red Carpet Moments at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards
The red carpet told its own story, and gold was the color of the night. Bieber, Kravitz, and Rosé all wore metallic looks from Vaccarello’s final Saint Laurent collection. Their matching moment quickly became one of the most shared images of the evening.
Keke Palmer’s Vintage Bob Mackie Masterpiece
Host Keke Palmer stole the show in a rare vintage Bob Mackie gown. The shimmering gold dress was first worn by Raquel Welch in 1975, when Welch performed with Cher on The Cher Show. Palmer called it “a little vintage moment,” but it linked three generations of glamour. The gown arrived just weeks after Mackie’s death in September at age 87.
Demi Moore’s Denim Statement
Demi Moore took a very different route, and it worked just as well. She wore a custom GapStudio halter-neck gown by Zac Posen. It was built from layered indigo denim waistbands, with a corset-style bodice, a front slit, and a subtle train. The look nodded to Gap’s jeans heritage. Moore later presented the Innovation Award to Gap Inc. on stage, so the dress and the moment matched perfectly.
Elsewhere, Nyong’o wore red GapStudio by Posen, and Pamela Anderson chose black Carolina Herrera.
What’s Next After the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards?
So what happens now? First, expect Scott, Khouri, and Allen to see a surge in attention from retailers and editors. A CFDA win often leads to new stockists and bigger shows, so the next few months could be career-changing. Second, watch for Vaccarello’s next move. His Saint Laurent exit leaves one of fashion’s biggest jobs open.
Finally, the night hinted at where American fashion is heading. Craft-led labels, archival inspiration, and strong cultural voices all won big. If this ceremony is any guide, the future will be less about chasing trends and more about building something that lasts.
Sources
- CFDA / PR Newswire: 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners
- Fashionista: 2026 CFDA Fashion Award Winners
- Just Jared: Keke Palmer’s 1975 Bob Mackie Gown
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