Enterprising Designers Win Big at the 2016 CFDA Awards

Photo Credit: Swarovski via Instagram

Beyoncé, Marc Jacobs and Thom Browne were the big winners at last night’s CFDA Awards. Held in the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, the CFDA honored Jacobs with the Womenswear Designer of the Year prize, Browne won Menswear Designer of the Year and Beyoncé took home the Fashion Icon Award. Usually the Fashion Icon winner is announced in April along with the rest of the nominees, but this year the CDFA decided to keep their selection a secret. Needleless to say when Bey rolled in late to the show with Jay Z and Blue Ivy in tow, it was pretty obvious who had snagged the coveted title.

The singer opted for a sparkly pinstripe Givenchy suit and wide brimmed hat for her CFDA appearance, and accessorized with an estimated $9 million worth of diamond jewelry. On loan for the night were several pieces of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry including two 25-carat diamond earrings, a collection of diamond rings and a collar necklace with over 100 carats of diamonds worth an estimated $7 million. Clearly Beyoncé knows the meaning of the word icon. She joins past winners Pharrell Williams, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady Gaga, Iman and of course, Rihanna.

Other winners of the night included Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel of Mansur Gavriel who were awarded Accessories Designer of the Year for their Mansur Gavriel line; Norma Kamali received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award; Alessandro Michele was given the International Award for his work with Gucci, and Donna Karan was presented with the Founder’s Award. The CFDA Board of Directors’ Tribute was given to David Bowie posthumously. The Swarovski Awards were given to Brandon Maxwell for womenswear; Alex, Matthew and Samantha Orley of Orley for menswear, and Paul Andrew for accessories.