Celebrities Wear CFDA Nominees at Fashion Awards
Second-generation stars and many attendees chose designers who were nominated for the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Fashion
The 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards were held Monday at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, hosted by Keke Palmer. Lila Moss, Meadow Walker, Esther McGregor, Hailey Bieber and Gracie Abrams were among the attendees, many wearing designers nominated for CFDA Awards.
Why it matters
The red carpet choices show how nominated designers gain visibility through high-profile attendees across the country. The attendance of second-generation celebrities highlights the continued influence of fashion family ties on the industry.
Lila Moss wore a Juju Vera Studio gown and Gracie Abrams wore a Colleen Allen gown, both from designers connected to nominated categories. Hailey Bieber wore an all-gold Saint Laurent dress by Anthony Vaccarello, who was named International Designer of the Year after 10 years at the house.
The players
Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
The CFDA is a New York-based trade organization of American fashion designers that presents the annual CFDA Fashion Awards.
Anthony Vaccarello
Anthony Vaccarello is the creative director of Saint Laurent, who was named International Designer of the Year at the 2026 awards.
Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer is an actress and singer who hosted the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Hailey Bieber
Hailey Bieber is a model and beauty entrepreneur who attended the ceremony wearing an all-gold Saint Laurent dress.
The details
Meadow Walker wore a yellow jacket and midi skirt, while Esther McGregor wore a look from Thom Browne's spring 2027 ready-to-wear collection. Julia Ferentinos, founder of Juju Vera Studio, was nominated for Google American Emerging Designer of the Year, the same category as Colleen Allen.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026: 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York
2026: Anthony Vaccarello marks 10 years at Saint Laurent
Industry Context
The CFDA Fashion Awards, run by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, have long used the red carpet to showcase nominated American designers. The 2026 edition follows that pattern, with many attendees choosing nominees' work over the more traditional couture houses.
Shoppers interested in the looks can look for the nominated designers' labels, including Juju Vera Studio and Colleen Allen, in their retail listings. The Thom Browne and Saint Laurent pieces are high-end ready-to-wear and are available through their respective retailers.
The takeaway
Nominated designers can gain significant exposure when their work appears on high-profile attendees at major awards ceremonies. Following the CFDA nominees list can help readers discover emerging American designers before they become widely known.
Further reading
Explore more runway and red carpet coverage in Fashion.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWD.
