The best looks at the 2024 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards aren't just worn by celebrities. At this red carpet event, held October 28 at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, fashion is a means of celebrating the talent behind every stitch and every stitch.

Each year, the CFDA Awards highlight the best of the best in American design, and the carpet is usually filled with the work of the nominees. This year, the big winners were expected to include well-known brands like Tory Burch (nominated in the womenswear category) and Coach (nominated in the accessories category), as well as up-and-coming brands like Wiederhoff, Tanner Fletcher, and Zankoff. Nominees like Rachel Scott of Diotima created custom pieces for guests to show off on the carpet, while other designers like Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors lent guests like Katie Holmes and Blake Lively from the runway lent the pieces as is.

Wearing rare vintage pieces was a priority at the recent Academy Museum Gala, while the Met Gala gave celebrities the chance to indulge in custom-made couture. This year's best looks explored the nuances of American glamour, with velvet hooded dresses appearing one minute as host Cynthia Erivo and transforming into Kylie Jenner's feather gown the next. From tuxedos to cutout dresses to shimmering sheaths, American fashion still cannot be defined by a single aesthetic, but it was clear that the line between adoration and familiarity was being skillfully toed. As a result, the best-dressed list included pieces that almost anyone could imagine wearing if invited to next year's gala.

There is no better red carpet synergy than having one of New York's most beloved models wearing one of New York's brightest up-and-coming talents. Paloma Elsesser showcased Rachel Scott's Womenswear Designer of the Year nominated signature in a studded dress from Diotima's Spring 2025 collection. The gown's wide open neckline and hand-knit fringe skirt combined textures and themes (feminine and masculine, romantic and edgy) that would seem to compete in the hands of other designers. In this dress, however, the addition of a sweeping chiffon train balances everything perfectly.

Zac Posen re-emerged on the fashion scene this year as Creative Director of Gap Inc. where he spearheaded high-profile collaborations with Cult Gaia and Dôen, and occasionally created one-off gala looks for Anne Hathaway and Davine Joy Randolph At the CFDA Awards, he once again wowed the red carpet with a dress he designed for host Cynthia Erivo.

The actor evoked her role in Wicked in a black hooded gown with a slim-fitting bodice and dramatic trumpet skirt. Styled by Jason Bolden, with a jade choker necklace and colorful custom nail art, Erivo looked ready to bring the magic to the carpet. Of course, the real magic here was Posen's mastery of tailoring and shaping.

Each year the CFDA Awards presents a Fashion Icon Award to a guest who has made a powerful impact on American style. Past winners have ranged from Zendaya to Rihanna to Serena Williams, each of whom showed up on the carpet the year of the award.

Singer-songwriter Erykah Badu was honored at the 2024 ceremony. In a statement on the honor, she said, “I have always had a love for taking bits and pieces of what I am drawn to and creating something far more grand than the sum of those parts.” From the music I make, to the looks I wear, to the technology I develop, I am always looking for ways to be more expressive, connect with people, and get closer to nature in more innovative and exciting ways.” Her style, cultivated throughout her journey, is defined by intricate headpieces with exaggerated proportions, eclectic fabrics, and mystical tendencies. She wore an oversized black tuxedo gown over her suit and finished it off with a multi-colored sculptural face cover-up.

Days after gracing the Academy Museum Gala in vintage Mugler, Kylie Jenner said she and her stylists, Alexandra and Mackenzie Grundquist, are still looking to the (recent) past to own the red carpet of the present showed that they are not the only ones. She looked ready to take off in a feather coat dress from Haider Ackermann and Jean Paul Gaultier's 2023 collaboration. Fans know that Jenner usually steps and repeats in variations of the naked dress. Covered in raven feathers and matched with a sharply cropped hairdo, she looked very fresh.

Other editors might deduct a few points for Jenner wearing a collaboration of two French designers at the American Fashion Awards ceremony. Counter-argument: isn't it the most American style to dress to the beat of one's own drum?

Sorry, but it must be said: bear star Molly Gordon cooked with the CFDA Awards look. The clever effect makes it look like Gordon wore two dresses on top of each other at once, and the asymmetrical straps in the shape of belt buckles and cap sleeves. Just the near-blue purple dress with the same jewel-toned sandals was enough to make one say, “Yes, chef.”

Jenna Lyons is first and foremost a real fashion girl, and second, a real housewife in New York City. She hosted the CFDA Awards red carpet in a tuxedo by Thom Browne, the award's nominee for Womenswear Designer of the Year. Wearing a bright red lip and metallic lace-up booties, the lion was the red carpet host himself.

My minimalist heart shone at the sight of this cascading black leather Hari Nef. The texture and movement of her Proenza Schooler Original elevated the concept of a strapless LBD several notches. There was no need for over-the-top jewelry, just super-long fringe that swayed loosely as Neff walked the carpet.

Everyone expects something elegant from Katie Holmes' red carpet appearances, but this Carolina Herrera gown far exceeded my expectations. From the tiny cutouts at the waist to the open back and bow detailing, every element of this look is a step outside the comfort zone of Katie Holmes' neutral-toned, denim coat. Thanks to Creative Director Wes Gordon for guiding her from downtown style to this Upper East Side gown.

Addison Ray brought her promotion of her new song “Aquamarine” to the 2024 CFDA Awards. She reinterpreted the mermaid gown as a gray corset and sequined skirt, transforming it from a gray and oyster plaid to a soft blue with crystal embellishments. And to top it all off, Rae carried a giant conch shell instead of a purse. Even pop girls are now method dressers.

Blake Lively put down her “It Ends With Us” bouquet and picked up a stark white suit dress and blazer, plus a pair of crystal-coated naked shoes. It was a relatively minimalist look for Lively, but very “Blake” with her diamond jewelry and Old Hollywood bouncy curls. 2024 was indeed the first time in a decade that she attended the CFDA Awards, and her return as boss lady was a welcome one.