“Monday June 2nd, 2014.

The CFDA Award Show was an event I will never forget. I stood amongst so many inspirations and icons, wide eyed and almost speechless, trying to remember every detail to keep with me for the rest of my life.

Chris Kattan showed up, dressed as SNL character Mango on the arm of Alexander Wang (who used the character in his new ad campaign), which brought some levity to the evening of staunch high brow fashion. Another laugh came from Ruth Finley who wisecracked that people often ask her when she had her facelift. Rihanna even, at one point declared “there are no rules” but quickly remembered who had just presented her with her Fashion Icon Award. The Barbadian beauty looked at Miss Wintour apologetically and retracted, “Scratch that, there are rules, this lady has a whole bunch of rules! But, rules are meant to be broken.” And of course, the humor resounded throughout host John Waters’ speech, especially when he announced the name of his hypothetical fashion line, ‘Caught Dead’ he declared, ‘as in, I wouldn’t be.’

Not all of the evening was funny or light though, some moments brought tears of joy and some brought silent regret for the lost Art Ortenberg, L’Wren Scott, Annabel Tollman and Jay Ott. Raf Simons had to step back from his speech after not being able to hold back the waterworks, but after a few frustrated expletives, he finished quickly, clearly fighting a rush of emotions and thanking Pieter Mulier his late studio director. Notoriously cold Naomi Campbell even showed her soft side when speaking about Bethann Hardison’s work towards racial diversity in the fashion industry and her personal guidance of the super model. Surrounded by dozens of models in gold DVF wrap dresses, and joined by Iman and Campbell, Bethann Hardison’s humility and fervor evoked a standing ovation regardless of her acknowledgment that she had previously ‘slapped the hands’ of many of the designers in the room for their lack of racial diversity in their campaigns and on their runways. ‘I’m not here to put anyone down,’ she said, ‘I’m here to lift everybody up.’ and with that, the crowd rose, most with tears welling up in our eyes. 

Additionally, Tom Ford questioned whether or not the lifetime achievement award was deserved yet, seeing as though his life, and work in fashion, is not nearly complete. He concluded his speech with ‘Please have me back in another 25 years, and I promise I’ll wear a toupee and walk with a cane.’

Rihanna hit close to home for myself and many who have used fashion as a defense mechanism stating that as a young girl she would think, ‘she can beat me, but she can’t beat my outfit.’ which got an emotionally charged laugh from the crowd. She was right, nobody beat her outfit that night as she dazzled in Swarovski and not much else from do-rag-head, to toe. 

The winner of The Media award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard, Paul Cavaco’s narrative video started with a clip clearly not intended to make the cut, but couldn’t have been more perfect. ‘Because I don’t want to make the video’ he said, sounding a little annoyed, but then continuing on to explain effervescently that it was all about falling in love, falling in love with the model for that instant while on set and capturing the imperfect perfections that make someone fall in love. Cavaco’s goal is always to enhance, not to impose.

Finally, Watching Diane Von Furstenberg was the best part of the evening, not only is her success and industry admiration awe inspiring, but her graciousness to every fan and colleague, and her immense humility was a silent lesson only few will be privy to and even fewer will take note of.”

I wrote that the day after the CFDA Awards because I didn’t want to miss anything… even after months though, I still don’t have words to describe the magnitude of gratitude I am overwhelmed with. Those of you who have been following for a while know I used to be a server at a couple of Hollywood nightclubs. In early 2013 I worked at a club Rihanna used to frequent and I waited on her more than once, so to be at the same event, was such a cinderella moment. I have always worked hard and strived to be an independent woman so to come from being a server to an attendee in one year, I have to admit I was, and am, very proud of my ascension.

Diane has a wisdom and a way about her to see through all the bullshit. I want to be like DVF when I grow up…

Episode 3 outfit and my personal thoughts will be up tomorrow.

Thank you for reading!

With love from Hollywood,
Kier

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