Cheers to the Nominees! The CFDA Board of Directors Toasted to the 2026 Fashion Award Contenders
Fashion & Beauty

Michael Kors Hosts Star-Studded CFDA Dinner To Toast Fashion Award Nominees

The legendary designer brought together industry heavyweights and nominees at Café Zaffri.

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read

The fashion elite stepped out in full force for an exclusive night of celebration as the Council of Fashion Designers of America kicked off its upcoming honors in serious style. Renowned American designer Michael Kors presided over the annual CFDA Board of Directors dinner, bringing together key figures, influential tastemakers, and talented nominees for a high-profile evening dedicated to recognizing top creative talent. Serving as the host for the Thursday night event, Michael Kors welcomed a curated crowd of industry heavyweights and rising design stars. The gathering offered a moment of celebration for nominees before the main fashion award ceremony, allowing colleagues and competitors alike to raise a glass to their shared achievements.

Who Hosted The CFDA Board Of Directors Dinner?

Michael Kors took on primary hosting duties for the prestigious annual occasion, which took place on Thursday evening. As a dominant figure in global fashion and an active leader within the CFDA community, Kors spearheaded the evening to shine a spotlight on the visionary designers currently up for major accolades. The dinner provided a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere for the nominee class to celebrate their contributions to the industry. Attendees spent the night mingling, connecting with fellow creators, and celebrating a standout year of style and innovation.

Image may contain Tom Wu Clothing Coat Adult Person Jacket Face Head Accessories Jewelry and Necklace
2/14 Maxwell Osborne, Dao-Yi Chow

Where Did The Industry Elite Gather For The Dinner?

The high-profile dinner was held at Café Zaffri, which served as the venue for the Thursday night toast. The location set the stage for an intimate gathering that brought together executives, designers, and key board members under one roof for an evening of camaraderie and industry pride. With the CFDA Fashion Awards drawing near, the Board of Directors dinner remains a crucial fixture on the annual style calendar. The event allows the organization to formally acknowledge the hard work and artistry of all nominees before the official trophies are handed out. As the countdown to the main awards ceremony continues, the dinner hosted by Michael Kors reinforced the strength and solidarity of the fashion world. The evening concluded with glasses raised to the nominees, setting an enthusiastic tone for the big night ahead.

The photos · 6

Cheers to the Nominees! The CFDA Board of Directors Toasted to the 2026 Fashion Award Contenders
Brendon Cook/ 1/14 Hildy Kuryk, Vera Wang, Aurora James, Macrene Alexiades
2/14 Maxwell Osborne, Dao-Yi Chow
3/14 Julia Ferentinos, Samuel Hine, Stan Herman, Emily Dawn Long
Image may contain Vera Wang Blonde Hair Person Face Head Photography Portrait Clothing Dress and Adult
Image may contain Raymond Tam Adult Person Face Head Photography Portrait Crew Cut and Hair

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People also ask

Who hosted the CFDA Board of Directors dinner?
Designer Michael Kors hosted the annual CFDA Board of Directors dinner to honor fashion award contenders.
Where was the CFDA nominees dinner held?
The pre-awards dinner took place on Thursday evening at Café Zaffri.
  • michael kors
  • cfda
  • cfda fashion awards
  • café zaffri