New York, NY – Erykah Badu, the Grammy Award-winning artist known for her bold and boundary-pushing style, was honored with the Fashion Icon Award at the prestigious CFDA Fashion Awards. Badu, donning a dazzling Thom Browne jacket and a stunning jewel-encrusted headdress, humorously shared that she had been dreaming of this recognition since she was just six years old.
Badu, a force in fashion as much as she is in music, accepted the award in Manhattan on Monday night, describing dressing up as her personal form of therapy and a sport. “The world is a private joke between me and my things,” she joked, with André 3000, the father of her son, introducing her while carrying an orange caution cone.
Known for her Afrocentric flair, Badu has been a red carpet disruptor, effortlessly breaking free from traditional black tie standards. Her distinctive style includes tall hats, headwraps, oversized jewelry, and patchwork fabrics that move and make music with her. Over the years, her unconventional fashion choices have influenced not just the entertainment world but also broader fashion culture.
The CFDA Fashion Awards, held at the American Museum of Natural History, attracted a star-studded crowd, including celebs like Katie Holmes, Kylie Jenner, and prominent designers, all gathered to celebrate the year’s top fashion talent. The ceremony was hosted by Cynthia Erivo, star of the hit movie “Wicked,” in a Zac Posen-designed hooded gown from Gap.
The evening also featured several other awards, with Rachel Scott of Diotima winning Womenswear Designer of the Year. Scott, who is renowned for her intricate knitwear designs, emotionally thanked her mother and the Jamaican artisans who help craft her collections. Willy Chavarria took home the Menswear Designer of the Year award, making it his second win in this category.
Troye Sivan presented the Menswear Designer honor to Chavarria, who reflected on the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election and its impact on his work. “Diversity in humanity makes us much stronger,” he shared during his acceptance speech.
Henry Zankov, a Russian-born designer known for his colorful knitwear, won Emerging Designer of the Year, and Raul Lopez of Luar claimed the Accessory Designer of the Year award. Lopez shared his pride in representing immigrant children like himself, paving the way for future generations.
Daniel Roseberry, the visionary behind Schiaparelli, was named International Designer of the Year for his surreal and avant-garde couture creations that have taken the red carpet by storm, including a stunning look worn by Nicole Kidman at the Venice Film Festival.
The night also saw other notable recognitions, including Annie Leibovitz who received the Media Award, and Michael Kors, honored with the Positive Change Award. Designer Stephen Burrows was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his groundbreaking role in the 1973 “Battle of Versailles” fashion show.
With this latest honor, Erykah Badu joins an elite group of fashion icons such as Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, and Zendaya, cementing her place as one of the most influential figures in the fashion world.
Source: AP News
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