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Photographed by Hannah Thomson
This year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund gala was an evening filled with firsts. From music mavens Lorde and Zendaya to models Constance Jablonski and Karlie Kloss, the tables at dinner at Spring Studios were stacked with top talent.
Lingering over cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres early in the evening were Dana Lorenz and her date, model Ophélie Guillermand, dressed in coordinating black and white suits—Guillermand’s was by Brandon Maxwell. “I always wear things that fade into the background, but with Ophélie, Brandon and I have been friends for a while and the look is perfect for the evening,” added Lorenz with a smile. Nearby, previous CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Misha Nonoo linked arms with actress Meghan Markle. “Evidently, the chicken pot pie is something to write home about,” said Markle in a gilded extended hem blazer dress from Nonoo. Did the former finalist have anything to share with her newfound alums prior to the announcement of the winner? “Relax,” said the designer, adding, “when everybody says it’s okay, you’re fine just being a nominee, it’s really the truth. It’s what you make of it afterwards.”
That sentiment was shared by a slew of alumni who joined the festivities, including Tome’s Ramon Martin and Ryan Lobo, Eva Zuckerman, Ryan Roche, and last year’s winner, Paul Andrew. “It’s a passing of the torch,” laughed Andrew in a Dries Van Noten suit, adding, “I can only say run with it. Take every advantage of the fact that you have the world’s attention, because it may not happen again. It’s a really special thing. There’s so much support in this industry, in this country.” As guests including Lizzie Tisch, Marina Rust Connor, and Allison Sarofim sipped on bubbly with Zachary Quinto and Miles McMillan, others, including Zac Posen and his stunning date, Demi Moore, Ladyfag, and Toni Garrn peeked inside the next room to get a glimpse of the decor for dinner. From the blush dinner plates accented with nature motifs to the inviting nibbles on the table, the crowd clearly couldn’t wait for the meal to begin and the awards presentation to commence.
After Diane von Furstenberg thanked her fellow judges and the sponsors of the competition, including Uniqlo, Fossil, Neiman Marcus, and Amazon Fashion, she introduced Condé Nast Artistic Director and Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour. “You are a truly remarkable, lively, and independent group,” said Wintour of this year’s finalists, adding, “authentic is the word we have all kept coming back to best describe all of you.” And while the winner wasn’t immediately announced, Wintour then suggested that the designers listen to this year’s designer speaker, Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy, who spoke in conversation with Vogue’s Hamish Bowles. Wintour went on to say, “We know from your Instagram account that you are never in one place for very long. All roads in pop culture seem to lead back to you, and for good reason. You are a designer perfectly suited to the age we live in. You are as connected to the worlds of music and art as you are to fashion and how they all enrich each other.”
After Diane von Furstenberg thanked her fellow judges and the sponsors of the competition, including Uniqlo, Fossil, Neiman Marcus, and Amazon Fashion, she introduced Condé Nast Artistic Director and Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour. “You are a truly remarkable, lively, and independent group,” said Wintour of this year’s finalists, adding, “authentic is the word we have all kept coming back to best describe all of you.” And while the winner wasn’t immediately announced, Wintour then suggested that the designers listen to this year’s designer speaker, Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy, who spoke in conversation with Vogue’s Hamish Bowles. Wintour went on to say, “We know from your Instagram account that you are never in one place for very long. All roads in pop culture seem to lead back to you, and for good reason. You are a designer perfectly suited to the age we live in. You are as connected to the worlds of music and art as you are to fashion and how they all enrich each other.”
After a brief introduction from actress Amanda Seyfried, one of Tisci’s “family,” he and Bowles talked about everything from the art of celebrity to his artistic approach to showing on September 11 in New York. Dubbing Marina Abramovic his “adopted mother,” the quiet designer spoke passionately about the need for staying connected and genuine through design. With the designer and celebrity filled crowd visibly moved, it was time for the winners to be announced. Or so everyone thought.
Enter singer Andra Day, who surprised everyone with a performance and got the chicly clad audience moving to her signature song “Rise Up.” Then, a brief film showing highlights from the competition over the past decade and featuring everyone from Alexander Wang to Rag & Bone’s Marcus Wainwright and David Neville cued the ten finalists that decision time was approaching.
As Seyfried and Tisci made their way to the podium, all of the designers composed themselves. They were then beaming at the news that there would not be a single victor, but rather three winners, who would each receive a prize of $300,000 and mentorship. Aurora James of Brother Vellies humbly thanked her family and said, “my mom was the first person to believe in me and told me that I could literally do anything I wanted to do.” She was followed by Rio Uribe of Gypsy Sport, who was also visibly choked up and said, “I’m sure it’s a cliché, but it really feels so surreal to talk to people who I’ve looked up to my entire life. It really says a lot about our world.” However, leave it to Jonathan Simkhai to end the evening on a lovely note, complimenting the audience. “You guys are all so beautiful,” opened the designer, adding, “never give up and follow your heart.” And on that sweet note, it was time for everyone to say goodbye and head out to the after-party.
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