CFDA FASHION AWARDS VOTING PROCESS
Nominations for each award category are submitted by the CFDA Fashion Awards Selection Committee. All 400+ members of the CFDA along with more than 500 top fashion retailers, journalists, and stylists are invited to join the Selection Committee. Nominating ballots are sent to Committee members in February and are due back to the CFDA in early March. Committee members can nominate up to three designers for each of the six Designer of the Year awards and one person for each of the five honoree Awards. (See list of awards below.)
The selection of nominees and winners in the Womenswear, Menswear, Accessory, and Swarovski Award categories is based on a plurality vote by the Selection Committee. All nominations are ratified by the CFDA Board of Directors at a special Board of Directors meeting. At this meeting the Board may also choose to honor one person with their Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award. The nominees and honorees are announced the following day.
At the beginning of May, international accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP, the official accounting firm for the Awards, delivers final ballots to Selection Committee members. Committee members can cast a vote in each of the six Designer of the Year award categories. All ballots are confidential and are due back to Ernst & Young LLP at the end of the May. Results are announced at the CFDA Fashion Awards, which typically take place the first Monday in June.
AWARD CATEGORIES
DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARDS:
The Womenswear, Menswear, and Accessory Designer of the Year Awards: Awarded to a designer working in America who has made the most outstanding contribution to and has influenced the direction of women’s ready-to-wear fashion, men’s ready-to-wear fashion, and accessory design, respectively, through his or her most recent Spring and Fall collections. The designer selected in each category must have his or her business based primarily in America.
The Swarovski Awards: Awarded to a designer working in America who has made the greatest impact as an emerging new talent for his or her womenswear, menswear or accessory design through his or her most recent Spring and Fall Collections. The Swarovski Award was established to recognize and support the talent and creativity of the next generation of designers. The designer selected in each category must have his or her business based primarily in America.
HONOREE AWARDS:
Media Award: Given in honor of journalist Eugenia Sheppard, the Media Award is given to a writer, photographer, or editor who has used his or her craft to further the profession of fashion reporting and coverage, or to a creative director, fashion editor, stylist, or artist whose exceptional creativity has shaped fashion visually.
International Award: Awarded to one designer (in womenswear, menswear or accessories) working outside of America who has made an outstanding creative contribution to the world of fashion.
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded for a “lifetime” of consistent, creative influence and dedication to fashion.
Fashion Icon Award: Awarded to an individual whose signature style has had a profound influence on fashion.
Founders Award: Given in memory of the CFDA’s founder Eleanor Lambert, the Founders Award is given to a person who has made a unique contribution to the world of fashion (and/or deserves the industry’s recognition and does not fall under any existing award categories).
Board of Directors’ Special Tribute: A special tribute by the Board of Directors of the CFDA, given from time to time to acknowledge significant contributions and commitment to fashion.
Questions? Contact us at info@cfda.com.