Glamazons,
We talked all about yesterday’s glamorous red carpet, but the real magic happened inside the CFDA Awards. From the first Fashion Instagrammer of the Year Award to Bethann Hardison‘s moving tribute, the awards show felt more epic than ever this year. Let’s get into the night’s most memorable moments:
1. Anna Wintour Honors Rihanna
You may have been on the fence about Rihanna‘s Swarovski-covered gown designed by Adam Selman last night but it was that same fearless approach to fashion that helped Rihanna nab top honors at the CFDA Awards last night.
Anna Wintour said as much, praising Rihanna for her bold yet authentic style: “The point is to be audacious, even jaw-dropping or button-pushing — and yes, we know she enjoys pushing buttons — while remaining true to yourself.”
2. Bethann Hardison’s Tribute
No one is more committed to diversity on the runway than Bethann Hardison (above wearing custom Prabal Gurung). The legendary fashion icon and activist, who was the first subject I interviewed and profiled back at The Magazine, has sought to change the face of the fashion industry. Over the course of her storied career, she discovered Tyson Beckford and Veronica Webb, helped guide the careers of models like Naomi Campbell and founded the Black Girls Coalition with Iman, an advocacy group for black fashion models. Recently, Bethann wrote letters to the governing fashion forces in New York, London, Milan, and Paris, calling for an end to whitewashing on the runway.
For her tireless work on behalf of black models, Bethann Hardison is so deserving of a tribute, and the CFDA gave her a fitting one. A bevy of stunning black models including Arlenis Sosa, Melodie Monrose and Cora Emmanuel flanked the stage while Naomi Campbell and Iman presented Bethann Hardison with the Founder’s Award. As a black woman who works in this industry, I’ve never seen a more beautiful sight!
3. The First Fashion Instagrammer of The Year Award
As Tom Ford acknowledged in this hilarious soundbite, Instagram is a big deal in the fashion world. On the cusp of all things cool, the CFDA introduced a Fashion Instagrammer of the Year Award for 2014 and the first-ever recipient is Patrick Janelle aka @AGuyNamedPatrick. Followed by 132,000 people on Instagram, the graphic designer/art director captures everything from street style to food through a fashionable lens.
Nominated for the award by Thom Browne, Patrick collaborated with the brand’s design team on an Instagram photo shoot, which rendered a series of beautiful pictures! Our faves? A shot of a model crossing a street in front of a yellow cab and a man reaching for a Shake Shack burger with a perfectly tailored cuff.
#Obsessed.
4. Tom Ford’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Speaking of Tom Ford, the celebrated designer accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award yesterday. He received a wonderful, heartfelt introduction by husband Richard Buckley.
Accepting his award, Tom thanked the crowd, saying: “It’s been a wonderful 25 years and I could have never achieved it without all the people in this room.” He added: “I prefer to see this as a mid-lifetime award.” Natch.
5. Rihanna’s Speech
We know what Rihanna has done for fashion as a muse, a designer in her own right and a talented and fearless dresser. But we didn’t know what fashion has done for her.
In her acceptance speech, she revealed: “fashion has always been my defense mechanism. Even as a child I remember thinking, ‘She can beat me, but she cannot beat my outfit. And to this day I mean, that is how I think about it. I can compensate for all my weaknesses with my fashion.”
It’s an honest and endearing moment from the star, revealing that she grapples with the same weaknesses and insecurities as the rest of us. I mean, who knew Rihanna thinks of fashion as armor? But many of us do. I did growing up as I was too short, too skinny, too smart (yes, this was seen as a bad thing) and the list goes on. But one thing I did have was style and no one could argue that. To the kids around me, I had several “weaknesses” to contend with. But when I got dressed, I saw myself as stylish, confident, attractive and bold. Fashion was the only platform I had to express those parts of me.
Like Rihanna, fashion was a defense mechanism for me but also a survival tactic: it kept my personality, creativity and imagination alive no matter what those pesky teen bullies said. ‘She can beat me, but she cannot beat my outfit.’ Love that speech!
Watch Rihanna‘s speech below:
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And see the full list of nominees and winners here (winners are bolded):
WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Alexander Wang
Joseph Altuzarra
Marc Jacobs
MENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Thom Browne
Marcus Wainwright & David Neville, Rag & Bone
Dao-Yi Chow & Maxwell Osborne, Public School
ACCESSORIES DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Alexander Wang
Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez, Proenza Schouler
Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen, The Row
SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR WOMENSWEAR
Shane Gabier & Christopher Peters, Creatures of the Wind
Rosie Assoulin
Wes Gordon
SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR MENSWEAR
Tim Coppens
Todd Snyder
Shayne Oliver for Hood by Air
SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR ACCESSORIES
Irene Neuwirth
Jennifer Fisher
Marc Alary
FASHION INSTAGRAMMER OF THE YEAR AWARD
@aguynamedpatrick
@donalddrawbertson
@dapperlou
@paridust
@troprouge
@amy_stone
@hokaytokay
@bessnyc4
THE FOUNDER’S AWARD IN HONOR OF ELEANOR LAMBERT: Bethann Hardison
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ TRIBUTE: Ruth Finley
GEOFFREY BEENE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Tom Ford
INTERNATIONAL AWARD: Raf Simons for Dior
THE MEDIA AWARD IN HONOR OF EUGENIA SHEPPARD: Paul Cavaco
FASHION ICON AWARD: Rihanna
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Which moment did you love the most? Tell me in the comments.
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
