The CFDA Fashion Awards just got a little more iconic. One of the greatest athletes of all time, Serena Williams, will receive the Fashion Icon Award, the first award given to an athlete.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I have used fashion as a way to express myself,” Serena Williams said in a statement. “I had so much fun learning my style and letting it change as my life progressed, but I always stayed true to one thing: Fashion is for everyone, no matter your size, race or income. “I am extremely honored to receive the prestigious Fashion Icon Award from the CFDA, an organization I have long admired for its work, and to join the list of fashion icons I have always respected.”
CFDA President Thom Browne added: “Serena is one of the most inspiring people in the world…a true individual…she is an icon in the sporting world…representing greatness at the highest level…a perfect fit for our World… She was the ultimate example of character in everything she did.”
The awards ceremony will be held on November 6, 2023 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker. As for the nominees, the CFDA announced a well-rounded group of designers earlier this year.
“This year’s nominees and winners are diverse, creative and entrepreneurial, each in their own way reshaping the present and future of our industry and the global fashion landscape,” CFDA CEO Steven Kolb said in a statement. future.” . The list of nominees includes a mix of industry stalwarts and hot emerging talent: Tory Burch, who has recently been expanding his design vocabulary, was nominated for US Designer of the Year, while Stuart Vevers Coach was nominated for Accessories Designer of the Year last week, while Diotima’s Connor McKnight and Rachel Scott were nominated for Emerging Designer of the Year for the first time. Luar’s Raul Lopez, a two-time nominee for Womenswear Designer of the Year and Accessories Designer of the Year, winning the latter last year, closed out New York Fashion Week with a knockout show in Brooklyn last night.
designer and ex Fashion Editor Vera Wang will be honored by the board for her impact on the bridal industry, while Maria Cornejo, who celebrates 25 years in the industry this year, will receive the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. The Founders Award, established in memory of Eleanor Lambert, will be awarded to Domenico de Sol, former CEO of Gucci Group (now Kering) and chairman of Tom Ford International, while the environment can The Sustainability Award will be awarded to designer Marla Hoffman. See the full list of winners and nominees below: