Erykah Badu attends the CFDA Fashion Awards at the American Museum of Natural History on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Erykah Badu was awarded the Fashion Icon Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) on Monday night in Manhattan, a recognition she described as a lifelong aspiration. Wearing an eye-catching jeweled headdress paired with a Thom Browne jacket, Badu playfully expressed that she had been dreaming of this honor since she was just six years old. During her acceptance speech, she likened dressing up to a form of sport, therapy, and a nod to her husband.
Introducing her was Andre 3000, who humorously brought an orange caution cone on stage, noting their connection as co-parents. Badu reflected on her unique style, stating, “The world is a private joke between me and my things,” as she and Andre walked off together, the cone in hand.
Badu, a Grammy-winning artist, has made a name for herself as a fashion trailblazer, often redefining red carpet attire with her Afro-centric aesthetic, which includes towering hats, vibrant headwraps, and oversized jewelry. Her eclectic use of fabrics and accessories often draws attention for their artistic flair and musicality.
The CFDA Awards were held at the American Museum of Natural History, drawing a crowd of celebrities like Katie Holmes and Kylie Jenner, as well as prominent figures in the fashion industry, all there to celebrate the best in design. The evening concluded with Rachel Scott from Diotima receiving the award for Womenswear Designer of the Year. Overcome with emotion, Scott expressed her gratitude to her mother and the women of Jamaica, who inspire her crochet designs. “I’ve spent so much of my career on design teams, so I’m really unaccustomed to this recognition,” she said.
Pop star Troye Sivan presented the Menswear Designer of the Year award to Willy Chavarria, marking his second consecutive win in this category. Chavarria spoke about the challenges of working on his autumn/winter 2025 collection amid the backdrop of an impending election, stressing the importance of diversity in the industry and society.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand opened the event by urging attendees to use their influence to encourage voter participation. “If we wake up on Wednesday and don’t recognize this country, we have no one to blame but ourselves,” she declared. CFDA chairman Thom Browne echoed this sentiment, stating, “Fashion, like democracy, is about choice.”
Actor Molly Gordon and designer Brandon Maxwell presented the Emerging Designer of the Year award to Henry Zankov, a Russian-born designer celebrated for his colorful knitwear. Other nominees for this category included Presley Oldham, Tanner Fletcher, Jackson Wiederhoeft, and Connor McKnight.
The award for Accessory Designer of the Year went to Raul Lopez of Laur, who dedicated his win to those like him who grew up as children of immigrants. “I’m just a vessel in this industry to guide the kids that come after me to see they can do it too,” Lopez remarked.
Daniel Roseberry of Schiaparelli received the International Designer of the Year award, recognized for his innovative designs that have captured attention on red carpets. Roseberry, the first American to lead a French couture house, has made waves with his surrealist style and bold gold embellishments.
Badu now joins a prestigious group of past recipients of the CFDA’s Fashion Icon Award, including Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, and Zendaya, solidifying her status in the fashion world.
