KidSuper attended the night with his mom (MomSuper?). Courtesy Instagram/@kidsuper
10 Brooklyn designers who had a good night at the 2022 CFDA Awards
From big names like Telfar to up-and-comers Brother Vellies and Head of State, the borough was well repped at the prestigious night
Sure, Manhattan is historically New York City’s fashion epicenter … but there’s an argument to be made that the borough of Kings has a claim to the throne. At CFDA’s 2022 Fashion Awards and Vogue Fashion Fund on Monday night, Brooklyn designers were represented across the board.
The CFDA Fashion Awards, now in its 60th year, is a celebration of American designers, stylists, and tastemakers in the fashion industry. The Vogue Fashion Fund, meanwhile, offers funds and mentorships for 10 emerging designers to help grow and empower their potential.
This year’s annual black-tie ceremony at Cipriani South Street was attended by A-list celebrities including the Kardashians, Anna Wintour, Keke Palmer, and many more. As for future A-listers, no shortage of Brooklyn designers were on hand as well, many of them nominated for one of the CFDA’s prestigious honors.
One of them, Raul Lopez, took home the American Accessories Designer award. The Brooklyn handbag entrepreneur made the crowd emotional during his acceptance speech.
“I’m going to be a little cliche. I want to thank God, the CFDA, and all of the nominees,” he said. “Especially my Dominican family; the son of two immigrants from the Dominican Republic … unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to attend fashion school because in a Latino home, it was deemed gay, but that did not stop me.”
Other finalists also got their fair share of accolades, if not necessarily top honors, on Monday. Designers who make an impact can expect collaborations, magazine covers, and more.
“My relationship with the CFDA started in school in 2019 when I received the CFDA scholarship,” Jacques Agbobly, creator of Black Boy Knits and finalist for CFDA’s 2022 Vogue Fashion Fund, tells Brooklyn Magazine. “That allowed me to fund my senior year, work to launch a brand, and really put myself out there. I’ve gotten the opportunity to put my work out there to a new audience and share my story and with the world. That’s the greatest blessing of all.”
Get to know these 10 Brooklyn designers who made an impact Monday night — and will no doubt continue to do so into 2023.
Luar by Raul Lopez
American Accessories Designer Winner
View this post on Instagram
Raul Lopez blew up after creating the practical, yet fashionable Ana Bag, which comes in small and large sizes. It’s not difficult to spot one of Lopez’s bags: he works almost exclusively in leather, but has been known to include materials like pony hair as an accent, or create crocodile- or ostrich-embossed patterns. Lopez, whose brand Luar is “Raul” spelled backward, is also known for co-founding the luxury streetwear brand Hood by Air with fellow Brooklyn designer Shayne Oliver in 2005.
Telfar by Telfar Clemens
American Accessories Designer Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Born in Queens with a studio in Brooklyn, Telfar Clemens is hardly an up-and-comer: His internationally-known brand, Telfar has been shouted-out by none other than Beyoncė, who sings in “Summer Renaissance,” “This Telfar bag imported, Birkins, them shits in storage. I’m in my bag!” Maybe that’s why Telfar bags retain value at higher rates than accessories from legacy brands — including Chanel and Hermès — according to luxury resale platform Rebag. These constantly-sold-out bags come in dozens of colors and three sizes. The gender-fluid brand looks good on everyone … which is Clemen’s intention.
Brandon Blackwood
American Accessories Designer Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Brandon Blackwood began his brand with one signature leather handbag in just a few colors. The Jamaican-Chinese designer’s “End Systemic Racism” tote went instantly viral following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. That experience inspired him to launch the Brandon Blackwood Foundation, which aims to help with the careers of fellow creatives of color. Today, the Brooklyn-born designer produces a wide variety of handbags and outerwear, ranging from fur bags, leather coats, and fuzzy slippers — all of which sell out fairly quickly (especially the bags).
Brother Vellies by Aurora James
American Accessories Designer Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Aurora James’ mastery of incorporating natural materials got her all the way to the CFDA Awards finalists. She intertwines feathers, wood, and other elements that represent African culture. Her accessories range from cowboy boots to suede bags. Keke Palmer can be spotted wearing Brother Vellies’ Negril Sandal on the cover of British Vogue. While the materials behind her pieces may be sustainable, they look priceless.
Elena Velez
American Emerging Designer Winner and 2022 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Growing up in the Midwest can be difficult for a person of color. However, Elena Velez was able to find inspiration through her experiences, including the fact that her mother was a ship captain on the Great Lakes. Her work, for example, includes netted, nautical-like dresses, harnesses, and headpieces, which have all been spotted on dozens of celebrities, from Ariana Grande to Kali Uchis to Rico Nasty, and more. Whether it’s in her utility belts, seamlessly-cut pieces, or trousers and blazers, her designs pop both at work and on the runway.
KidSuper by Colm Dillane
American Emerging Designer Finalist and 2022 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist
View this post on Instagram
It doesn’t get more Brooklyn than KidSuper: He grew up in the borough, attended Brooklyn Technical High School, and works out of his Williamsburg studio. Colm Dillane is one of the only designers who hosted an open-to-all public New York Fashion Week showcase — and was the only designer who made paintings to match his designs. His clothes are literally paintings turned into wearable canvases. He’s constantly being watched by fellow fashion houses, which is how he got a collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger expected to be released by the end of 2024.
Christopher John Rogers
American Womenswear Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Christopher John Rogers wants people to express their individuality when they put on his clothes. Bold colors, mixed patterns, and rich textures permeate the Brooklyn-based designer’s work. He wants whoever is wearing his clothes to feel confident regardless of gender, race, or body shape. Growing up in Baton Rouge, Rogers has a sense of southern hospitality that can be felt through his designs. He combines rough and soft fabrics that reflect people like himself: delicate, yet unbreakable.
Peter Do
American Womenswear Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Peter Do, who works out of a studio in Industry City, is a master of combining sophistication with leisure. Oversized blazers, draped dresses, sheer pieces, and elaborate trench coats perfectly combine sexy and chic. With Do’s refined tailoring to fit everyone, it’s no wonder the Vietnamese-born designer was a popular finalist.
Black Boy Knits by Jacques Agbobly
2022 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Through their work, Jacques Agbobly celebrates Black, Brown, queer, and immigrant people. Black Boy Knits offers customizable knit tops to help a person fully express themselves. On the Black Boy Knits’ website, customers can choose a multi-color striped tank top with up to four color additions they feel fit them best. Whether your order is cropped or regular length, Agbobly will hand-knit the top with 100 percent merino wool to make you feel as comfortable in your skin as possible. In addition to being a Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, they also won the 2022 DHL Logistics in Fashion Award in partnership with CFDA, which came with a $15,000 grant and mentorship to help expand. So expect more from Black Boy Knits in 2023.
Fe Noel by Felisha Noel
2022 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Influenced by her Grenadian heritage, womenswear designer Felisha Noel gets much of her inspiration from her mother and grandmother. Noel, who is from Brooklyn, works with dainty and vibrant colors and patterns that make you feel like you’re in the islands. With a wide variety of graphic t-shirts, balloon tops, swimsuits, dresses, and more, Noel’s work emphasizes bringing out femininity no matter who you are. And she works with young women to become entrepreneurs in their own right through her Fe Noel Foundation.
Head of State by Taofeek Abijako
2022 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist
View this post on Instagram
Head of State is all about creating conversation. At age 17, Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based designer Taofeek Abijako created the brand to represent post-colonial youth culture and to promote more dialogue around the West’s impact on marginalized communities. His products include mesh bags and colorful shirts. And to not only acknowledge but to give back, Abijako donates proceeds of his sales to initiatives and organizations that help build community, infrastructure, education, and more in Albany. Abijako also hosted Brooklyn Museum’s Black Fashion Fair event in August to embrace and celebrate Black designers.
