Colleen Allen Wins Emerging Designer Honors as Anthony Vaccarello, Tory Burch and Inez & Vinoodh Receive Special Recognition
Rachel Scott of Diotima and Ralph Lauren took home the top honors at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards, held Monday evening, November 2, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The annual ceremony celebrated American fashion’s established names and emerging talents, while recognizing influential figures whose contributions extend across design, photography, retail and the broader creative community.
Scott was named American Womenswear Designer of the Year for Diotima, marking her second win in the category following her 2024 victory. The Jamaican-born designer has developed a distinctive approach to contemporary womenswear, bringing traditional Jamaican craft techniques into conversation with modern tailoring and an expressive sense of femininity. Her recognition comes during a particularly significant period in her career, as she continues to lead Diotima while also serving as Creative Director of Proenza Schouler.
Ralph Lauren received American Menswear Designer of the Year, adding another distinction to a career that has helped define American fashion for more than five decades. Lauren, who also received the womenswear award in 2025, was recognized in a category that included Thom Browne, Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria and Public School’s Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne. Matt Damon and Tremaine Emory presented the award.
In accessories, New York-based jewelry designer Ana Khouri received American Accessory Designer of the Year. Known for approaching jewelry through the language of sculpture, Khouri has built an independent practice that explores the relationship between precious materials, the human body and contemporary art. The award, presented by Naomi Osaka and Joseph Altuzarra, marked her first victory in the category after multiple nominations.
Colleen Allen was named American Emerging Designer of the Year, an important recognition for the Brooklyn-based designer whose eponymous womenswear label has attracted growing industry attention. Allen, who was also among the 2026 LVMH Prize nominees, received the award from Cole Escola and Gabriela Hearst. Her win reflects the CFDA’s continued recognition of a new generation of independent designers developing their own creative identities within American fashion.
Among the evening’s international honors, Anthony Vaccarello received International Designer of the Year following his departure from Saint Laurent after a decade as Creative Director. Hailey Bieber, Rosé and Zoë Kravitz presented the award, recognizing the designer’s influence on the house and the distinctive visual language he established during his tenure.
“I’ve learned that success is not only about what you create but the people who stand beside you as you create it,” Vaccarello said during his acceptance speech, acknowledging the collaborators who contributed to his work.
The evening also recognized Tory Burch with the Positive Change Award, presented by Anna Wintour. Beyond her work as a designer and business leader, Burch has developed a significant philanthropic initiative through the Tory Burch Foundation, which supports women entrepreneurs through access to capital, education and professional resources.
Photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing their decades-long contribution to fashion imagery. Their collaborative work has shaped the visual identities of numerous designers and fashion houses, while their distinctive approach to portraiture and image-making has influenced generations of photographers and creative directors.
Architect Peter Marino was named Fashion Icon, an acknowledgment of his longstanding relationship with the luxury industry and his influential approach to retail architecture. Marino’s work has helped redefine the physical environments of major fashion houses, demonstrating how architecture can become an essential expression of a brand’s creative identity.
Linda Fargo, the longtime Bergdorf Goodman fashion executive, received the Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert. Her career has made her an influential figure in the discovery and promotion of designers, particularly through her work shaping the New York retailer’s fashion direction and presentation.
Eva Chen received the Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard, recognizing her influence on fashion communication and the relationship between the industry and digital platforms. Fashion designer and artist Susan Cianciolo was honored with the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Tribute, acknowledging her experimental practice and longstanding contributions to independent fashion.
Gap Inc. received the Innovation Award, presented by Demi Moore, recognizing the company’s work in fashion and retail. The award was accepted by Richard Dickson and Zac Posen.
Hosted by Keke Palmer, the ceremony opened with remarks from CFDA Chairman Thom Browne. The evening also marked the 30th anniversary of the CFDA Scholarship Fund, with Sara Moonves announcing a new scholarship initiative launching in 2027 to support two students pursuing fashion education.
Taken together, this year’s honorees reflected the breadth of American fashion’s creative community. Scott’s continued recognition and Allen’s emergence illustrated the growing influence of independent designers, while Lauren’s latest award reaffirmed the enduring relevance of established American fashion houses. Alongside them, the recognition of photographers, retailers and other creative figures underscored the collaborative network that helps shape the industry’s cultural influence.