This year, Rachel Scott, Willy Chavarria, Raul Lopez, and Henry Zankov were honored as the American Designers of the Year with additional honors going to Erykah Badu, Annie Leibovitz, and more.
Raul Lopez, the CFDA's American Accessories Designer of the Year. Neil Rasmus, Yvonne Tnt, Matteo Prandoni, Deonté Lee, Joe Schildhorn, & Brendon Cook/BFA.com…
Last night, the CFDA took to the American Museum of Natural History to host its annual awards show in recognition of the talents at the forefront of American fashion. A slew of Surface-featured designers were nominated for awards this year, including Willy Chavarria (American Menswear Designer of the Year), Luar’s Raul Lopez (American Accessories Designer of the Year), Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez (American Womenswear Designer of the Year), Wiederhoeft’s Jackson Wiederhoeft (American Emerging Designer of the Year), and Presley Oldham (American Emerging Designer of the Year).
Ultimately, it was Chavarria and Lopez who took home the top honors in their categories, along with Diotima’s Rachel Scott (American Womenswear Designer of the Year), and Zankov’s Henry Zankov (American Emerging Designer of the Year). Earlier this fall, Chavarria, Scott, and Lopez were hailed by the industry for their respective showings at New York Fashion Week, where each was credited with showing visionary collections that chart a bright future for American fashion and champion the inspiration each maker has found in their heritage.
L: Willy Chavarria, the CFDA's American Menswear Designer of the Year. R: Rachel Scott, the CFDA's American Womenswear Designer of the Year. Neil Rasmus, Yvonne Tnt, Matteo Prandoni, Deonté Lee, Joe Schildhorn, & Brendon Cook/BFA.com…
“This award, like the award for my brother Raul Lopez and my sister Rachel Scott, marks a pivotal moment in American fashion by embracing the cultures who have shared so much influence,” Chavarria, whose Spring/Summer 2025 show was a celebration of Mexican-American culture through a couturier’s lens, told Surface following his momentous win. “I am very proud to be a part of an industry that drives culture forward.”
It was a sentiment shared by Lopez, a Dominican New Yorker who this past season realized a career dream in his takeover of 1 Rockefeller Plaza, where his ferociously bold show of ready-to-wear and accessories floored the likes of Madonna, Ice Spice, Christopher John Rogers, and these editors. “Receiving this kind of recognition is deeply affirming—it’s a reflection of the years of hard work, resilience, and the commitment I’ve put into creating spaces and visions that honor my background and identity,” he told Surface of his win. “To take over such an iconic location as Rockefeller Center felt surreal, as it’s both a literal and symbolic landmark. Seeing my vision come alive there reminds me that there’s real power in standing in your truth, and I hope it opens doors for others who feel they don’t fit the traditional mold.”
Below, find the full list of honorees by category.
American Womenswear Designer of the Year: Rachel Scott (Diotima)
American Menswear Designer of the Year: Willy Chavarria
American Accessory Designer of the Year: Raul Lopez (Luar)
American Emerging Designer of the Year: Henry Zankov (Zankov)
Henry Zankov, the CFDA's American Emerging Designer of the Year. Credit: Neil Rasmus, Yvonne Tnt, Matteo Prandoni, Deonté Lee, Joe Schildhorn, & Brendon Cook/BFA.com…
Fashion Icon: Erykah Badu
Recipient of the Innovation Award presented by Amazon Fashion: Coach for Coachtopia, accepted by creative director Stuart Vevers.
Media Award, in honor of Eugenia Sheppard: Annie Leibovitz
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Stephen Burrows
Founder’s Award, in honor of Eleanor Lambert: Hamish Bowles
Positive Change Award: Michael Kors
International Award: Daniel Roseberry (Schiaparelli)
Isabel Toledo Board of Directors Award:Isabel Toledo, accepted by Ruben Toledo on his late wife’s behalf.
