CFDA Award Winners Announced: Altuzarra & Rihanna Top the List

Rihanna at the  2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards having a Cher Bob Mackie Flash Back (PRNewsFoto/CFDA)

The 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners have been announced!  Last night  in collaboration with Swarovski at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center the awards were given out.    Target’s next designer,  Joseph Altuzarra for Altuzarra, won the Womenswear Designer of the Year honors.  To me, the most shocking award recipient was Rhianna! WTF??   Rhianna is the new Cher dressing in some of the tackiest crap available, and showing more skin than fashion (in my humble opinion.) Read on to find out who all the winners were. 

Rihanna was presented with the Fashion Icon award by Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour who praised the musician for her ability to tell captivating stories through the boldness and beauty of clothes. Rihanna thanked members of the audience: “the designers, the models, and everyone else who has inspired me.” Right.  What about thanking Cher? Or Bob Mackie? I think she has been clearly influenced by both.

The award for Menswear Designer of the Year was presented to Maxwell Osborne & Dao-Yi Chow for Public School by James Marsden. Mary-Kate Olsen& Ashley Olsen for The Row took home the Accessories Designer of the Year Award, presented by Keri Russell.

“The CFDA believes in designers at every stage of their career.  Last night we recognized a broad range of talent and influence from student scholarship winners and emerging talent to industry icons,” said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb.

“It’s been an honor to partner with the CFDA in celebrating the very best in American fashion for thirteen incredible years, and the creativity of the award winners never fails to amaze.  We are especially pleased to support the industry’s next generation through the Swarovski Awards. It’s a privilege to help these dazzling young talents evolve and realize their visions as they take the next steps in their careers,” said Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board.

Greta Gerwig and Sebastian Stan presented the three Swarovski Awards, which honor and recognize emerging talent. The Swarovski Award for Womenswear was given to Shane Gabier Christopher Petersfor Creatures of the Wind. The Swarovski Award for Menswear was presented to Tim Coppens. The Swarovski Award for Accessory Design went toIrene Neuwirth.

Recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from the company as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative crystal products and applications for fashion.

• The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Tom Ford by Richard Buckley for his consistent, creative influence on fashion.
• The Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert was presented to Bethann Hardison by Naomi Campbell for Hardison’s efforts to promote racial diversity in the fashion industry.
• The Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard which is given for excellence in journalism, originally created in honor of Eugenia Sheppard, was presented to Paul Cavaco by Allure editor in chief Linda Wells.
• Raf Simons of Christian Dior was recognized with this year’s International Award, presented by Marion Cotillard and Dior chief executive officer Sidney Toledano.
• Diane von Furstenberg presented the Board of Directors’ Tribute to Ruth Finley, in recognition of her 65 years as founder and publisher of Fashion Calendar.