Ralph Lauren Wins CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year as Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Steal the Show

Fashion’s biggest night returned in dazzling form as stars, designers, and icons gathered at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Hosted by Teyana Taylor, the event celebrated innovation, artistry, and cultural influence—merging timeless style with modern statements.

Leading the winners’ circle, Ralph Lauren received the coveted American Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, his first since 1995. Presented by Naomi Watts, the honor recognized Lauren’s enduring influence and impeccable craftsmanship, showcased most recently in his Spring 2026 collection—a vision of modern sensuality, escapism, and refined minimalism.

Meanwhile, the night’s most anticipated red carpet moment belonged to Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, who arrived hand-in-hand, exuding effortless glamour. Rihanna, making her first appearance since welcoming her third child, stunned in a navy-blue Alaïa SS26 wrap coat by Pieter Mulier, paired with flowing white pleated pants. Rocky complemented her in a black blazer with white cuffs, a butter-yellow knit top, tailored trousers, and black-and-cream saddle shoes—earning him the Fashion Icon Award, presented by Anna Wintour. The rapper joined an elite list of past recipients including Rihanna, Zendaya, and Lenny Kravitz, solidifying his place as one of fashion’s modern visionaries.

In other top categories, Thom Browne—who also serves as CFDA chairman—was named American Menswear Designer of the Year, following a Paris show that blended extraterrestrial imagination with his signature tailoring. Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen continued their dominance, winning American Accessory Designers of the Year for The Row, praised for its understated, vintage-inspired Spring 2026 accessories line. Ashlynn Park of Ashlyn was honored with the Google Shopping American Emerging Designer Award, recognized for her sustainability-driven craftsmanship.

Additional honorees included:

• Andre Walker, Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Award

• Cynthia Rowley, Founder’s Award (in honor of Eleanor Lambert)

• Ralph Rucci, Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award

• Sara Moonves, Media Award (in honor of Eugenia Sheppard) presented by Jennifer Lawrence

• Donatella Versace, Positive Change Award presented by Ariana DeBose and Amber Valletta

• Jerry Lorenzo (Fear of God), Innovation Award by Amazon Fashion, presented by Ava DuVernay

• Pieter Mulier, International Designer of the Year, presented by Naomi Campbell

The red carpet was its own runway of high fashion: Saweetie stunned in a turquoise architectural gown, Teyana Taylor channeled Chanel in structured white and black, Olandria Carthen turned heads in a rich brown corset gown, and Renee Rapp brought sultry power dressing in a tailored black suit and thigh-high stockings. Lily Allen glowed in ivory lace, while Alex Consani delivered drama in a minimalist black satin gown with a feathered train.

Sponsored by Amazon Fashion, Google Shopping, MAC Cosmetics, Krug, and Lincoln, the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards celebrated the boundless creativity that defines American fashion — with Ralph Lauren’s enduring eleganceand A$AP Rocky’s fearless modernity standing as symbols of its timeless evolution.