The 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards took place Monday night at Uptown, where fashion’s heavyweights and their celebrity guests gathered to celebrate this year’s winners and honorees.
There are many VIP guests, including Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, Demi Moore, Chloe Sevigny, Mary J. Blige, Greta Lee, Chase Stokes, Lil Yachty, Ayo Edebri, Lakeith Stanfield, Naomi Watts, Lola Tung, J Balvin, Charles Melton, Karlie Kloss and more. Travis Kelce was rumored to be in attendance, unfortunately he didn’t show up.
The new location brought with it some awkward logistical negotiations, as guests weren’t quite sure where to go upon arrival: Celebrities and designers were escorted to the red carpet, and the rest of the entrance hall provided space for impromptu networking while cocktails were appropriately worn. Cross the hall and enter a dark exhibition room filled with eye-catching elephant ornaments. Caviar, broccoli and champagne shot glasses were passed around. The museum’s animal displays were still lit, providing a rather quirky backdrop for a night of American fashion extravaganza.
Museum spaces are welcomed by some and questioned by others. “With dinosaurs?” Nina Dobrev asked a photographer who asked for a photo, before bravely posing next to the skeleton.
“I’ve always wanted to do something under a whale, and I was excited to party under a whale,” said Bach Mai, a two-time nominee for Emerging Designer of the Year.
Marionette and puppet designer Carly Mark, who was also nominated in the category, noted that it was an honor to be in the room. “I feel very honored because the people voting are people I respect in this industry,” she said. “Everyone in the room works so hard, everyone in my category works so hard, so just being here is a win.”
“It’s the greatest honor to be recognized by my peers,” said Menswear Designer of the Year contender Willy Chavarria. The designers brought in musicians Rauw Alejandro and Tokischa. “They all wear Willy Chavarria in their own unique way,” the designer added.
Hari Nef wore JW Anderson as a guest to Jonathan Anderson, the winner of the International Designer Award that year.
“He changed the way I thought about clothes in high school, looking at his collection online. The fact that we found each other in all these fashion things, ideas meshed in the way that we do, but you’re here and That’s not always possible,” Neff said. “It feels warm and sweet and I’m really proud of him tonight.”
New CFDA President Thom Browne was behind many of the night’s performances, including Style Icon Award winner Serena Williams, Lil Yachty, Emma Chamberlain and Cynthia Erivo, who gave an award-worthy performance with her looks.
Gwyenth Paltrow accepts the Innovation Award wearing Goop’s G Label clothing. “It’s very rewarding,” Paltrow said of receiving the CFDA honor. “This is a well-respected organization and it feels very cool to be recognized and rewarded for our contributions, especially in the area of innovation.”
Vera Wang, who was honored by the Board of Directors, walked the carpet with Vanessa Hudgens. “I feel so honored, I can’t explain it. At this stage of my career, it’s still a great thing to receive any kind of accolade from my peers,” Wang said of the recognition. “So I’m really excited. “I just hope I can finish my speech. “