Erykah Badu to Receive the Fashion Icon Award at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards

The Council of Fashion Designers of America has revealed that Erykah Badu will receive the Fashion Icon award at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards presented by Amazon Fashion.

Considered the Queen of Neo-Soul, Badu is both a music icon and fashion force whose style has inspired global trends. The 53-year-old American singer and songwriter — whose music is a mix of R&B, hip-hop, funk and jazz — released her debut album, “Baduizm,” in 1997. Since then she has been a major influence on pop culture in various ways, including her fearless approach to fashion from signature headwraps to bold colors, patterns and a unique way of mixing new and vintage pieces that celebrate individuality.

The Dallas-born Badu has also embraced the work of several American designers including Rick Owens, Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty and Thom Browne.

Last year, Marni’s creative director Francesco Risso teamed with Badu to create a limited-edition capsule collection codesigned by Risso and Badu. The Marni x Erykah Badu capsule included women’s ready-to-wear, accessories and footwear.

“Erykah Badu and fashion are synonymous in many ways.…Erykah effortlessly exudes herself, her unique point of view, through the clothing she chooses to wear…and each look she dreams up is so individual and true to herself,” said Browne, chairman of the CFDA.

Badu added, “This honor is amazing, and I do not take it for granted. I’ve always had a love for taking bits and pieces of the things I am attracted to and creating something far more grand than the sum of those parts. From the music I made to the looks I put on, to the technology I’m developing, I’m always looking for innovative, exciting ways to be more expressive and connect with people — to be closer to nature.”

Previous fashion icons that have been honored by the CFDA include Rihanna, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Beyoncé Knowles and Serena Williams.

Amazon Fashion is the presenting partner for the CFDA Fashion Awards, that will take place on Oct. 28 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Additional supporters for the awards include Shop With Google, supporter of Shop With Google Emerging Designer of the Year Award; Morgan Stanley, official financial partner; Häagen-Dazs, premium dessert partner; Hourglass, official beauty sponsor; WHP Global, supporter of the Student Viewing Section, with Champagne provided by Armand de Brignac, and transportation provided by Rivian.

As reported, the nominees for American Womenswear Designer of the Year are Rachel Scott for Diotima, Marc Jacobs, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler, Thom Browne and Tory Burch. The American Menswear Designer of the Year nominees are Mike Amiri for Amiri, Emily Adams Bode Aujla for Bode, Thom Browne, Todd Snyder and Willy Chavarria.

Ana Khouri, Stuart Vevers for Coach, Catherine Holstein for Khaite, Raul Lopez for Luar and Tory Burch are vying for the American Accessory Designer of the Year.

The nominees for the Shop With Google American Emerging Designer of the Year are Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell for Tanner Fletcher, Jackson Wiederhoeft for Wiederhoeft, Connor McKnight, Presley Oldham and Henry Zankov for Zankov Ankov.

Last week WWD reported that Coach, the global lifestyle brand led by creative director Stuart Vevers, will be the recipient of the third annual Innovation Award presented by Amazon Fashion.