CFDA Awards 2018: All the Gossip, Surprise Appearances, And Kim Kardashian Jokes From Inside Fashion's Biggest …
While typically held in midtown Manhattan, this year’s CFDA Awards took up residence in a refreshing new spot—the Brooklyn Museum. From Oprah to Busy Philipps, the most influential figures of popular culture took over the stage of the star studded event hosted by television auteur Issa Rae, to present awards to icons Naomi Campbell, Kim Kardashian, and Donatella Versace. But before Hollywood’s A-list could have their fashion moment behind the brick entryway of Brooklyn’s premiere destination for art, many of them rushed their way onto the carpet and into the ceremony.
As celebrities, models, and fashion icons traipsed the sustainable black-and-white (but not actually red!) carpet on their way into the museum, photographers and journalists anxiously awaited the arrivals of the biggest names attending what is arguably fashion’s biggest awards ceremony of the year, and W captured every moment—from the sincere to the wacky. Here, a minute-by-minute breakdown of everything that happened at the 2018 CFDA Awards.
6:20 p.m. It’s already 20 minutes past the scheduled start time, and the carpet is sparse. Chalk it up to the ceremony’s new Brooklyn location, but everyone appears to be running late.
6:33 p.m. One of the night’s presenters, Busy Philipps, arrives in a glimmery green Christian Siriano suit and rushes past the carpet into the museum to post some Instagram Stories before the show gets started.
6:46 p.m. The excitement of the evening becomes more palpable as the photographers begin to shout. Tracee Ellis Ross comes through, looking radiant in Carolina Herrera.
6:49 p.m. The inimitable Diane Lane arrives—also in a suit—and quips that this summer, she’ll be reading nothing but scripts.
6:51 p.m. Victoria’s Secret Angel Martha Hunt walks the carpet in a striking Thom Browne dress, but all eyes are on her, well, eyes, which are dazzlingly bejeweled with Swarovski crystals. “They’re one of the few brands that can lend you raw materials to play with your look. I decided to try something more editorial with my makeup because the dress could handle it, and I felt like going couture for the eye,” Hunt said, before citing her own fashion icon Kate Moss as a general inspiration. “I remember the first time I met her, she was one of the few people I’ve been starstruck by,” she admitted. “I didn’t know what to say!”
Martha Hunt at the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards at Brooklyn Museum on June 4, 2018 in New York City. Photo by Nick DeLieto for W Magazine.
7:02 p.m. Olivia Culpo and Rebecca Minkoff make their way down the carpet to remark that they—like everyone else—are most excited to see “Donatella Versace, Kim, Naomi, everyone!” as they shuffle themselves into the museum.
7:09 p.m. Cynthia Rowley feels a tap on her shoulder, only to jump around and see none other than Diane von Furstenberg standing right behind her. Rowley takes a break from gushing about her friend to the press, and congratulates von Furstenberg for being named recipient of the Swarovski Award for Positive Change while the two embrace in a hug and snap a few selfies. The night’s first genuinely sweet moment.
7:12 p.m. It looks like Philipps and Lane weren’t the only guests who opted for a suit this evening; Erika Jayne—the first Real Housewife to be invited to the awards show ever—walks the carpet with a custom-made monogrammed Edie Parker clutch and a black-and-white menswear look.
7:14 p.m. Chanel Iman and her baby bump make their appearance on the CFDA carpet in custom Nicole Miller.
7:15 p.m. Oscar nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels, accompanied by his son, model Liam Daniels, has a confession to make. “No tea, no shade, I really didn’t know what this whole thing was about, I didn’t!” he said of presenting Naomi Campbell with the CFDA Fashion Icon award. “Not until my son hipped me to it! My son is modeling and said, ‘Dad, this is like the Oscars.’ So now I’m nervous, but I’m really happy for her. She’s the reason why we’re all here, I think. She’s my spiritual icon,” Daniels added.
7:30 p.m. After a slight lull in arrivals, a few gasps from the press become audible as Campbell herself shows up in a fringed Calvin Klein dress.
7:31 p.m. Grace Elizabeth and Jourdan Dunn, both in Michael Kors, make their way down the carpet. Dunn—who is also quite the chef—takes a moment to list off her healthy summer menu, which will consist of “a lot of barbecue, because I’m kind of not eating meat anymore; I say kind of because I’m having chicken like once a week, so grilled fish and vegetables.”
