2017 CFDA Awards: Raf Simons Takes Home Both Awards for Designer of the Year

2017 CFDA Awards: Raf Simons Takes Home Both Awards for Designer of the Year

Raf Simons won BIG last night at the 2017 CFDA Awards in New York City.

Taking home both the Womenswear and Menswear ‘Designer of the Year’ awards, Raf Simons is the first designer to win both categories in a single year since Calvin Klein in 1993.

Amongst talented Womenswear and Menswear nominees such as Joseph Altuzurra (Altuzurra), Marc Jacobs, Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez (Proenza Schouler), Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen (The Row), Robbert Geller, Thom Browne, Tim Coppens, and Todd Snyder, Simons came out on top for his fabulous direction for the Calvin Klein FW17 collection presented this past February.

The now-seasoned designer attained a degree in Industrial and Future Design in the European country of Belgium where he was born and raised. After three successful years at Christian Dior, he was named creative director of the iconic Calvin Klein American Fashion Maison last August of 2016, and now lives and works in New York City where he directs the strategy of every category under Calvin Klein Inc. from the brands Home collections to Designer. He also is involved in all aspects of Global Marketing and Communications,Visual Concepts, and Store Design for the Calvin Klein brand as well.

Other winners of the evening include Stuart Vevers, who won the ‘Accessory Designer of the Year’ award for Coach, and Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia who won the ‘Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent’ for Monse.

The Raf Simons Calvin Klein debut consisted of lots of color and “cool” silhouettes. Bright yellows, oranges and reds on pieces constructed of denim and worn with cowboy boots giving an All-American aesthetic. Color blocking was prominent, adding individualism to style and bringing the entire collection to life.

Check out photos from the award-winning lookbook and also photos of some of the nominees’ pieces spotted on the red carpet below!