Ralph Lauren Wins American Menswear Designer of the Year at 2026 CFDA Awards
The legendary designer claims the prestigious menswear honor for the third time in his career.
Summary
Ralph Lauren was named American Menswear Designer of the Year at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards
Actor Matt Damon presented the award to Lauren who previously secured the menswear title in 1996 and 2007
Lauren remains the only designer in history to claim all of the CFDA's top honors throughout his career
American fashion institution Ralph Lauren took home the American Menswear Designer of the Year title at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards, held Monday night at the American Museum of Natural History. The accolade marks the third time Lauren has secured the organization’s highest menswear prize, following previous career wins in 1996 and 2007.
Presented on stage by actor Matt Damon, Lauren topped an accomplished category of American designers that included Thom Browne, Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria, and Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne of Public School New York. The achievement follows a monumental moment last year, when Lauren was named American Womenswear Designer of the Year for the second time following his initial win in 1995, underscoring his enduring influence across both sides of the industry.
The triumph reinforces Lauren’s unmatched legacy as the only designer in history to receive all of the CFDA’s top honors. His career recognitions span Lifetime Achievement, Menswear Designer of the Year, Womenswear Designer of the Year, and Retailer of the Year, in addition to prestigious tributes for Humanitarian Leadership, American Fashion Legend, and the organization’s inaugural Popular Vote.
The evening also spotlighted a distinguished lineup of fellow winners across the American and global fashion scene. Rachel Scott of Diotima captured the American Womenswear Designer of the Year prize, while high-jewelry sculptor Ana Khouri received American Accessories Designer of the Year. Elsewhere, Colleen Allen was honored with the American Emerging Designer of the Year award, and outgoing Yves Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello took home the International Designer of the Year Award.
