CFDA Honors Erykah Badu with 2024 Fashion Icon Award

CFDA Honors Erykah Badu with 2024 Fashion Icon Award

The multi-talented artist’s influence in fashion to be celebrated in New York this October

Key Takeaways:

  • Erykah Badu will be honored with the Fashion Icon award at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards, presented by Amazon Fashion.
  • Known for her distinctive style, Badu has collaborated with designers like Rick Owens and Thom Browne.
  • The CFDA Fashion Awards will take place on Oct. 28 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
  • Previous Fashion Icon award recipients include Rihanna, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé.
  • Coach, under Stuart Vevers, will receive the Innovation Award at the event.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has announced that Erykah Badu will receive the prestigious Fashion Icon award at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards, presented by Amazon Fashion. Badu, widely regarded as the Queen of Neo-Soul, has long been recognized for her bold and unique style, which has left a lasting impact on global fashion trends. Her mix of R&B, hip-hop, funk, and jazz in music is reflected in her fearless approach to fashion, where she often incorporates bold colors, headwraps, and a blend of vintage and modern pieces.

Since her breakout in 1997 with her debut album Baduizm, Badu has not only been a musical force but also a fashion inspiration. Her collaborations with renowned American designers, including Rick Owens, Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty, and Thom Browne, have cemented her place in the fashion industry. In 2022, Badu teamed up with Francesco Risso, creative director at Marni, for a limited-edition capsule collection featuring ready-to-wear women’s apparel, accessories, and footwear.

Thom Browne, CFDA chairman, praised Badu’s distinctive style and influence, stating, “Erykah effortlessly exudes herself, her unique point of view, through the clothing she chooses to wear.” Badu, in response to the honor, expressed her gratitude, saying, “This honor is amazing, and I do not take it for granted…always looking for innovative, exciting ways to be more expressive and connect with people — to be closer to nature.”

The 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards will take place on October 28 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The event’s presenting partner is Amazon Fashion, and other supporters include Shop With Google, Morgan Stanley, Häagen-Dazs, and Rivian. Previous recipients of the Fashion Icon award include Rihanna, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé Knowles.

Additionally, Coach, led by Stuart Vevers, will be recognized with the Innovation Award at the event. Other notable nominees for awards include designers like Rachel Scott, Marc Jacobs, Thom Browne, and Tory Burch.