NEW YORK — Erykah Badu received the coveted Fashion Icon Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, sharing with a playful smile that it was an accolade she had long desired.
Dressed in a stunning jewel-adorned headdress paired with a Thom Browne jacket, Badu accepted the award in Manhattan on Monday night. She reminisced about her lifelong quest for the icon title, which she first sought at the tender age of 6. Badu described her approach to fashion as a blend of sport, therapy, and a bond with her husband.
In a light-hearted moment during the event, Andre 3000 brought an orange caution cone to the stage while introducing Badu, who is also the mother of their son. “The world is a private joke between me and my things,” she quipped, as Andre 3000 took the cone and walked off with her.
Badu has consistently made waves on red carpets with her distinctive style, breaking away from traditional black-tie norms. Her signature looks often feature tall hats, headwraps, oversized jewelry, and layers of patchwork fabrics that not only turn heads but also resonate with musicality.
The CFDA Awards transformed the American Museum of Natural History into a fashion celebration, gathering celebrities like Katie Holmes and Kylie Jenner, alongside fashion luminaries, to acknowledge the best talents in design.
The evening culminated with Rachel Scott of Diotima receiving the Womenswear Designer of the Year award. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Scott acknowledged her supportive mother and the talented women from Jamaica who craft her crochet designs. “I’ve spent so much of my career in design teams, so I’m truly unaccustomed to this level of recognition,” she shared.
Troye Sivan presented the Menswear Designer of the Year award to Willy Chavarria, marking a remarkable second win for him. Chavarria reflected on the peculiar timing of working on his autumn/winter 2025 collection amid an approaching election. “I know many people in this room care deeply about their rights,” he stated, emphasizing the strength found in diversity.
Chavarria’s competition included notable designers like Mike Amiri, Emily Adams Bode Aujla, Thom Browne, and Todd Snyder.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand opened the awards, urging attendees, including influencers and designers, to encourage their followers to vote. “If we wake up on Wednesday not recognizing this country and we feel we didn’t give it our all, we only have ourselves to blame,” she proclaimed.
Designer and CFDA chairman Thom Browne echoed the sentiment, linking fashion and democracy by asserting, “Both are about choice.”
Molly Gordon and designer Brandon Maxwell presented the Emerging Designer of the Year award to Henry Zankov, a Russian-born talent recognized for his vibrant knitwear. Other nominees included Presley Oldham, Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell, Jackson Wiederhoeft, and Connor McKnight.
Celebrity duo Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie awarded the Accessory Designer of the Year title to Raul Lopez of Laur, who dedicated his victory to children of immigrants. “I’m merely a vessel in this industry, guiding those who come after me to show they can achieve their dreams,” Lopez remarked, having outshined Ana Khouri, Stuart Vevers, Catherine Holstein, and Tory Burch.
Another notable figure, Daniel Roseberry of Schiaparelli, received the title of International Designer of the Year, celebrated for his strikingly avant-garde designs that have taken over red carpets. His standout pieces, characterized by surreal gold accents, received acclaim, especially when worn by Nicole Kidman at the Venice Film Festival. Roseberry proudly stands as the first American to lead a French couture house.
By receiving this prestigious award, Badu joins the ranks of other iconic recipients like Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, and Zendaya.