LaQuan Smith, Law Roach And Telfar Top CDFA Award Nominees

Film has the Oscars; the stage has the Tonys; television has the Emmys; music has the Grammys. What’s the equivalent in the fashion world? The Council of Fashion Designers of America’s (CFDA) Fashion Awards. The annual awards ceremony recognizes excellence and innovation in fashion and highlights some of the world’s most shining designers and fashion houses. The star-studded awards event also serves as a fundraiser for the CFDA’s scholarships, business programs, and other initiatives. But while anticipated each year, the CFDA has not always recognized Black designers and other designers of color or women. The past couple of years has presented a refreshing change. In 2020 and 2021, the CFDA nominated and awarded some of the most diverse fashion leaders and talent. Previous winners include Kerby Jean-Raymond for Pyer Moss and Christopher John Rogers. This year’s nominees – announced on September 15 – continue this promising trend. Favorites on the 2022 list include:

•  Jerry Lorenzo (Fear of God) (American Menswear Designer of the Year nominee); 
• Christopher John Rogers and LaQuan Smith (American Womenswear Designer of the Year nominee); and
• Telfar Clemens (Telfar), Aurora James (Brother Vellies), Lauren Harwell Godfrey, and Brandon Blackwood (American Accessory Designer of the Year nominees).

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Other notable accolades include the Board of Trustee’s Award to be posthumously given to Virgil Abloh to honor the late designer’s contribution to global fashion, the CFDA’s 2022 Fashion Icon Award to be presented to Lenny Kravitz, and the first-ever CFDA Stylist Award. Known for dressing celebrity red carpet killers like Zendaya, Tiffany Haddish, Venus Williams, Kerry Washington, and Shameik Moore, the inaugural recipient of this new award is Law Roach.

“…I am so emotional right now,” Roach posted on his Instagram page about receiving the new award. “Thank you to the @CFDA for choosing me to be the 1st Stylist to receive the CFDA stylist award. Overjoyed.” Nominations for each award category were submitted by the CFDA Fashion Awards Guild, made up of members of the CFDA, along with top fashion retailers, journalists, and stylists. “This year’s nominees reflect the renewed excitement around American fashion generated by designers who are redefining the future of our industry,” CFDA CEO Steven Kolb said in a statement. More awards will be announced leading up to the celebratory night. The awards will be in partnership with Amazon Fashion on November 7 at Casa Cipriani in New York City. In celebration of the awards, see some of our favorite looks from this year’s nominees.  

1. Christopher John Rogers

Tessa Thompson made a stylish splash during the Venice Film Festival. Among her many notable looks was this gorgeous neon green frock by Christopher John Rogers.

2. Christopher John Rogers

Jodie Turner-Smith wore this gorgeous color blocked Christopher John Rogers gown to the amfAR Venice Gala 2022 presented by The Red Sea International film festival at Arsenale in Venice, Italy. 

3. Laquan Smith

 Laquan Smith debuted his Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion collection as part of the New York Fashion Week on September 12, 2022 in NY. 

4. Fear of God

Zendaya, recipient of the 2021 Fashion Icon Award, attended the HBO Max FYC event for “Euphoria” in a stunning grey Fear of God suit.

5. Telfar

Who doesn’t love Telfar? The Black-owned luxury handbag line has become a hot topic over the last couple of years. Just recently, Gayle King was spotted on Day One of the 2022 US Open clad in an all-white ensemble, accessorized with a circle bag.

6. Brother Vellies

Founder and Creative Director Aurora James is a beast when it comes to designing gorgeous footwear. Her talents have landed her on many prominent red carpet floors. 

7. Lauren Harwell Godfrey

Perhaps one of jewelry designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey’s coolest flex is saying Madam Vice President Kamala Harris wore her designs around.

8. Brandon Blackwood

Emmy-award-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph hit the red carpet of the 74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in a Brandon Blackwood gown, partnered with a red mini purse, also by the brand.

9. Virgil Abloh

Virgil Abloh’s final show during the Off-White Womenswear Fall/Winter 2022-2023 show Spaceship Earth: An “Imaginary Experience” at Palais Brongniart during Paris Fashion Week was quite the experience. The late visionary made enormous contributions to the fashion world.

10. Lenny Kravitz

Musician Lenny Kravitz has had the same style aesthetic since he entered the entertainment industry in 1981. The rock and roller is known for his locs, sunglasses, shredded tee, leather pants, and biker boots. This year, he will receive CFDA’s Fashion Icon Award.

11. Law Roach

Who do we know better than Law Roach? The image architect is responsible for launching careers through style alone.