In a fitting tribute to a decade of sharp, uncompromising style, Anthony Vaccarello will receive the 2026 International Designer of the Year award from the CFDA, cementing his status as one of the most definitive voices in modern luxury.
An Honor Ten Years in the Making
The Council of
Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) will honor Anthony Vaccarello at its prestigious annual awards ceremony on November 2nd in New York City. The award recognizes the Belgian designer's sustained creative conviction and global influence during his celebrated ten-year tenure as the creative director of Saint Laurent. The honor arrives at a pivotal moment, following the announcement of his departure from the Parisian house in October 2026, and a final, critically lauded, all-gold collection for Spring/Summer 2027 that many viewed as a spectacular farewell. This accolade serves as a capstone on a transformative era for both the designer and the legendary brand.
The Man Who Sharpened Saint Laurent
When Vaccarello took the helm at Saint Laurent in 2016, he inherited the dual legacies of its revolutionary founder, Yves Saint Laurent, and his high-impact predecessor, Hedi Slimane. Rather than being intimidated, Vaccarello, who had previously honed his craft at Fendi and Versus Versace, carved out a distinct and powerful vision. He set aside his own eponymous label to focus entirely on the house, merging his personal affinity for sharp, body-conscious silhouettes with the brand's archives. He masterfully reinterpreted house codes like 'Le Smoking' tuxedos, safari jackets, and unapologetic sensuality, making them feel urgent and new. The result was a Saint Laurent that was both reverent to its past and relentlessly modern.
An Unmistakable Aesthetic
Vaccarello's Saint Laurent is defined by a potent and consistent aesthetic: think razor-sharp tailoring, sky-high hemlines, and a palette dominated by black, punctuated with flashes of opulent gold and rich jewel tones. His woman is powerful, confident, and unapologetically sexy, often seen in dramatic silhouettes with exaggerated shoulders and plunging necklines. This vision was brought to life by a curated circle of muses, including Zoë Kravitz, Kate Moss, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, who embodied the brand's blend of rock-and-roll edge and Parisian chic. His spectacular runway shows, often set against the glittering backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, became unmissable events that created iconic, widely circulated imagery.
Beyond the Runway
Perhaps Vaccarello’s most significant longterm impact was his expansion of the Saint Laurent universe beyond clothing. He transformed the house into a broader cultural platform. In 2023, he launched Saint Laurent Productions, the first film production subsidiary founded by a luxury brand, backing projects by acclaimed directors like David Cronenberg and Pedro Almodóvar. He also curated art exhibitions and established the Rive Droite retail concept, which blurred the lines between a store and a gallery space. These moves weren't just about marketing; they were about embedding the brand's soul into art and culture, building a legacy that transcends seasonal trends.
