Rachel Scott, Ralph Lauren and Ana Khouri Win Top Prizes at 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards

The Council of Fashion Designers of America named Rachel Scott of Diotima American Womenswear Designer of the Year at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards on Monday, Nov. 2, in New York. The ceremony, presented by Amazon Fashion, was held at the American Museum of Natural History and hosted by Keke Palmer.

The CFDA issued its winners and honorees announcement on Nov. 3. Ralph Lauren, Ana Khouri and Colleen Allen took the other three competitive awards, while Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello and Peter Marino were among the honorees.

Who Won on Nov. 2

Scott won womenswear over Catherine Holstein of Khaite, Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Wes Gordon of Carolina Herrera. Lupita Nyong’o and Francisco Costa presented the award, according to the CFDA.

Ralph Lauren won American Menswear Designer of the Year, presented by Matt Damon and Tremaine Emory. Ana Khouri won American Accessory Designer of the Year from a field that included Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen of The Row and Stuart Vevers of Coach.

Colleen Allen won the Google-sponsored American Emerging Designer of the Year prize. Fashionista reports that these four categories were revealed live on stage.

The CFDA Fashion Awards Guild, an invitation-only body of designers, editors, retail executives and stylists, decides the four competitive categories. Voting ran from Oct. 7 to Oct. 21, according to the CFDA.

Scholarship Announced
The CFDA and WYouth Scholarship, presented by Nuuly, launches in 2027 and will fund two students, the CFDA said in its Nov. 3 winners release.

Honorees and Presenters

Anthony Vaccarello received International Designer of the Year for Saint Laurent. Hailey Bieber, Rosé and Zoë Kravitz presented it. The CFDA says the award marks a decade at the house.

Peter Marino received the Fashion Icon Award from Cornelia Guest. Tory Burch received the Positive Change Award from Anna Wintour. Gap Inc. received the Innovation Award, with Demi Moore announcing it.

Photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin took the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. Eva Chen received the Media Award, Linda Fargo the Founder’s Award and Susan Cianciolo the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors’ Tribute.

Fashionista says some honorary awards, including the Lifetime Achievement, Fashion Icon and Positive Change awards, were announced ahead of the ceremony. Fashionista says CFDA Chairman Thom Browne and Interim CEO Hildy Kuryk presided over the event, and the CFDA says Browne welcomed honorees, nominees and guests at the start of the ceremony.

What Stars Wore, and Who Dressed Them

Palmer hosted in a gold Bob Mackie gown originally made for Raquel Welch and worn on The Cher Show in 1975, according to Vogue as reported by AOL. Her stylist, Molly Dickson, sourced the dress from the vintage dealer Timeless Vixen. WWD reports that gold Aquazzura sandals completed the look.

Gold Saint Laurent recurred among the guests. AOL reports that Bieber wore a brocade top with fur-trimmed cuffs and an embroidered midi skirt from Vaccarello’s final collection for the house. Kravitz and Anja Rubik also wore gold looks from that collection, and Rosé wore a cropped gold top and matching skirt with a thigh-high slit.

Moore wore a custom halter-neck denim gown by Zac Posen for GapStudio, with a train and a front slit. Megan Thee Stallion wore a custom Kim Shui gown. Lili Reinhart wore Monse with a Logan Hollowell diamond necklace that People says is valued at about $107,000.

The CFDA’s guest list also included Donatella Versace, Iman, Pamela Anderson, Rose Byrne, Law Roach and Gracie Abrams.

Rachel Scott won womenswear over Catherine Holstein of Khaite, Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Wes Gordon of Carolina Herrera.

What Comes Next

Sara Moonves marked the 30th anniversary of the CFDA Scholarship Fund at the ceremony. She announced the CFDA and WYouth Scholarship, presented by Nuuly, which launches in 2027 and will fund two students.

As of Nov. 5, the CFDA has released photography and a winners list.