More than 120 custom flags designed by American fashion talent will fly above Rockefeller Center through September 4
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Vogue, Rockefeller Center, and America250 unveiled United Flags of Fashion on July 27, bringing together leading American designers to reinterpret the flags of all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C. The initiative commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and transforms one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks into a public showcase of American fashion and design.
The project launched with a celebratory event and cocktail at Pebble Bar at The Rink at Rockefeller Center, hosted by Dame Anna Wintour, CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb, and CFDA Chairman Thom Browne. The evening also featured a performance by Tony-nominated Two Strangers stars Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty.
The participating designers and brands span established American houses and independent labels, including Altuzarra, Amiri, Bode, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Christopher John Rogers, Coach, Gabriela Hearst, Gap Inc., Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, and Willy Chavarria, among others.
Beginning July 27, more than 120 custom flags will be displayed above Rockefeller Center through September 4. By placing fashion at the center of a highly visible civic landmark, the initiative extends the role of American designers beyond the runway and into a broader cultural conversation around national identity, regional diversity, and creative expression.
The project also reflects the CFDA’s ongoing role in positioning American fashion as a cultural force, using the collective creativity of designers to mark a major national milestone. Rather than presenting a single vision of American style, United Flags of Fashion brings together a wide range of perspectives, allowing the country’s geographic and cultural diversity to be interpreted through the language of fashion.
With the flags flying above Rockefeller Center throughout the summer, the project offers a public-facing expression of American creativity that places fashion literally in the national landscape. For an industry often defined by seasonal cycles, United Flags of Fashion provides a reminder that its most enduring statements can sometimes be made above the runway.
