The once underground streetwear label Supreme is joining the upper echelon of fashion designers—whether it wants to or not.
Supreme designer James Jebbia was nominated for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Menswear Designer of the Year Friday, alongside Raf Simons for Calvin Klein, Virgil Abloh for Off-White, Thom Browne and Tom Ford. The nomination marks the first time a skate brand is up for the trophy.
From Balenciaga and Gucci jumping on the “dad sneakers” bandwagon, to Supreme’s own ironic collaboration with Louis Vuitton, the CFDA can’t ignore the prevalence of streetwear on the runway. Not to mention the recent widespread criticism of award ceremonies’ lack of inclusivity.
In February, Paper reported that CFDA president and CEO Steven Kolb asked voters to think outside the box when they cast their votes. In an email, Kolb wrote, “As you place your CFDA Fashion Awards votes this year, please consider race, gender and inclusivity in your choices. We truly want the event to celebrate the full creative spectrum and richness of American fashion. Just think of how much fashion is changing, and the diversity of our industry. Designers with broad cultural backgrounds and political ideas are expressing their experiences and beliefs in their collections. Their work deserves greater acknowledgment, acceptance and visibility.”
Nominees for the Womenswear Designer of the Year are Raf Simons for Calvin Klein, Gabriela Hearst, Marc Jacobs, Virgil Abloh for Off-White and The Row’s Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen.
Footwear designer Paul Andrew, Stuart Vevers for Coach, Mansur Gavriel’s Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel, jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth and Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row are all up for Accessory Designer of the Year.
“The 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards continue to honor those who have led the American fashion industry, and this year, we welcome designers who approach fashion in new ways,” Kolb said in a statement.
The 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards will take place in Brooklyn on June 4.
