Ralph Lauren was awarded the CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year Award on Monday, while the American Menswear Designer of the Year went to Thom Browne.
Taking home the American Accessory Designer of the Year Award were Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row. The Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year went to Ashlynn Park for Ashlyn.
The CFDA Fashion Awards were held Monday night at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Actress Teyana Taylor was the evening’s host.
For the womenswear designer award, Lauren beat out designers Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera, Rachel Scott for Diotima, Daniella Kallmeyer for Kallmeyer, and Tory Burch. Lauren, who previously won the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award in 1995, was presented his award by Naomi Watts.
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Watts was among the front row guests at Lauren’s spring 2026 fashion show held at the company’s headquarters at 650 Madison Avenue. His show was rooted in what WWD described as “modern sensuality, a sense of escapism, ample ease with restraint and minimalist touches.” The show’s focus was on the clothes and attitude over spectacle.
In the menswear category, Browne competed against Mike Amiri for Amiri, Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta for Eckhaus Latta, the Olsens for the Row, and Willy Chavarria.
Browne, who is chairman of the CFDA, has won the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award three times — in 2006, 2013 and 2016. He was presented his award by Mark Ronson, along with Public School’s Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne.
Browne, who most recently showed his spring 2026 collection in Paris, offered up close encounters of the Thom Browne kind, with an extraterrestrial theme invading his usually dead-serious, tailored universe of gray flannel, seersucker, tweed and repp stripes. He won over the crowd with humor and staggering workmanship, according to WWD’s review.
For the American Accessory of the Year, the Olsens at The Row bested Ana Khouri, Catherine Holstein for Khaite, Raul Lopez for Luar, and Tory Burch. That award was presented to the Olsens by Benito Skinner and Jennifer Fisher. The Olsens have won the CFDA Accessories Award for The Row three times — in 2014, 2018, and 2019.
For spring 2026, The Row, which showed in Paris, served up accessories that were understated and vintage-inspired and had natural linen canvas bags with structured top handles and tote styles, along with sculptural pieces. They also showed classic footwear such as pumps.
For the Google Shopping American Emerging Designer Award, Ashlynn Park competed with Taylor Thompson for 5000, Julian Louie for Aubero, Bernard James, and Colleen Allen. Park was presented her award by Addison Rae and Christopher John Rogers.
Park, who founded her brand in 2020, is known for her tailoring, commitment to quality, and sustainability focus. She was an LVMH Prize finalist in 2022.
Throughout the evening, several honors were given out. Andre Walker won the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Award and was presented his award by Nicole Phelps, director, Vogue Runway. Julianne Moore presented Cynthia Rowley with the Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert. Ralph Rucci went home with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by Browne.
Jennifer Lawrence presented Sara Moonves, editor in chief of W, with the Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard. A$AP Rocky received the Fashion Icon Award from Anna Wintour, while Donatella Versace was presented her Positive Change Award by Ariana DeBose and Amber Valletta.
In addition, Ava DuVernay presented Jerry Lorenzo of Fear of God with the Innovation Award by Amazon Fashion, and Pieter Mulier received the International Designer of the Year Award, which was presented by Naomi Campbell.
The 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards were sponsored by Amazon Fashion, Google Shopping, MAC Cosmetics, Krug and Lincoln.
