10 minute read
A Night to Remember
“Welcome, everybody, to The Daily Front Row’s sixth-annual Fashion Media Awards,” said host Darren Criss, addressing a crowd of fashion’s finest on Thursday night at the Park Hyatt. “As I’ve said to many, many, many, many, many ex-girlfriends of mine, I can promise you it will be a pretty good time. And if it’s not, I can guarantee you that it will at least be short.” Such began an unforgettable, intimate evening that honored the most talented creatives in fashion media and toasted the imagemakers whose work is collected and discussed all over the world.
photography by Ryan Liu
ALL-STAR EMCEE With an acerbic wit and an abundance of intelligence, the multitalented Darren Criss enchanted and regaled a crowd of fashion A-listers.
Amy Schumer
presenter
“…She’s a businesswoman, she wrote a book, she’s a designer…blah, blah, blah. I don’t personally care… She’s the coolest bitch. You guys know that, right? Yeah. She’s changed our whole culture. Like, she actually has, and people are starting to respond, not because all of a sudden you guys became, like, good people…we look like America. I’m not skinny-shaming anyone, but I did fall asleep eating a bowl of pasta last night and it felt so good…. So, Ashley, she’s personally made me feel better about myself, my body. Her joy is infectious. Her sense of self, her fun…she just makes you excited to be you, and that’s something that she gives all of us, one Instagram story at a time.”
Ashley Graham
fashion force
“I am so grateful now that season after season, the industry has become even more inclusive. My curves are not a trend, your skin color is not a trend, and your abilities are not a trend. Your culture is not a trend. A force can become a movement, but it requires action and strength from many people. People like all of you. This movement starts in rooms like this and with decisionmakers like all of you. So I urge all of you—editors, designers, photographers, creative directors—to think inclusively. To continue making historical firsts until the industry truly reflects the diverse world in which we live. Thank you so much, and I really appreciate this. Woo!”
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid, Shanina Shaik, and Carine Roitfeld
Gigi Hadid
presenter
“When Stephen showed me a mock cover backstage at a show last season, my jaw hit the floor. It was my dream cover! But the days we spent shooting the cover story were greater than my wildest dreams. You can’t put into words the magic that you felt on-set when there is so much passion, excitement, drive, creativity, love, and energy from everyone for each other.... Days and photos like this are why we do what we do.”
Stephen Gan & Mario Sorrenti
Cover of the year, V magazine
“There were so many calls and e-mails going around for four months that led to one agent talking to my team at V actually saying, ‘I don’t think this shoot is ever going to happen. I think this shoot is jinxed.’ And that lead me to looking a bit sad and pensive…but then Gigi, being her typical self, looked over at me and just went, ‘Pressure is privilege.’ Those are Serena Williams’ words. That’s Gigi for you. Same today at 23 as when I first met her at 19.”
Tommy Hilfiger
presenter
“I’ve known [Hailey] for many years. She started modeling for me when she started modeling, and she’s walked for us for several seasons and now has become a Tommy Hilfiger icon. And she has an impeccable face and incredible style all her own. She’s harnessed the power of social media to create a genuine connection with herself and millions of followers. It’s my honor to present this award to Hailey.”
Hailey Baldwin
fashion media personality
“I’m really awkward when it comes to this kind of thing, so I’m going to keep it short and sweet.… It’s an honor to be in this room filled with so many amazing people and a lot of familiar faces. I would like to say a very special thank you to Tommy Hilfiger, who has supported me since the very, very beginning of my career and just believed in me and got behind me, which is hard to find in this industry.… I would say he’s the most loyal person I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, so thank you Tommy, and thank you Dee, because Dee is awesome.… Everybody that I’ve ever worked with in this industry has had a part in me receiving this award, so thank you so much.”
Paris Jackson
presenter
“Over the past year, Cecilia has dedicated her efforts to celebrating and supporting women. The Girls Can Do Anything [campaign] has pledged hundreds of thousands of dollars in supporting new mothers through the Every Mother Counts charity, as well as equal opportunity for women in Uganda and Central Africa with the Women’s Global Empowerment Fund.... Cecilia chooses to act based on her principles to improve the lives of women.”
Cecilia Bönström
fashion innovator
“Life is full of fun moments and also challenging moments, and I feel this is a challenging moment, talking in front of these amazing people in this great room is harder than I expected.… It was so evident for me to say, ‘Of course girls can do anything,’ because I am born in Sweden and for us, that’s the natural thing. But then I realized it’s not like that everywhere, and I hope that…we maybe plant the seed and that soon all women out there will be convinced that girls can do anything.”
Nicki Minaj
presenter
Nicki Minaj
“I’m very excited to be presenting this award to a young queen in the making.… She’s created her own space in this industry without ever fitting the conventional mold and paving the way for women and men to break into the industry and fully embrace what makes them unique and beautiful... Most important, she’s the definition of a true friend who will have your back when you need her the absolute most and show up to celebrate you like a true G.”
Winnie Harlow
breakthrough model of the year
“I was repeatedly told that I could never make it in the industry, or that my look was a trend that would pass. I was so close to giving up on modeling, but something told me not to give up. I decided that I would no longer let anyone tell me what I couldn’t do, except for me.... I’m lucky enough to work in an industry where you can create your own opportunities to make yourself thrive, one that’s slowly opening up to people of all genders, colors, sizes, and celebrating what makes them unique.”
Ashley Graham
presenter
“From styling icons like Celine Dion to Ariana Grande to creating style icons like Zendaya, his self-made legacy as one of the greatest image architects will undoubtedly live on forever.... I especially admire him for pushing inclusion in the industry and making sure there is a seat at the table for creatives of color, as well as up-andcoming designers.”
Brandon Maxwell
presenter
“I really had no reason to be in this industry at all. I should have never, ever, ever, ever succeeded. And I really wouldn’t have if it weren’t for him.... I love you intensely, and obviously, I think you’re a genius and I love you very much.”
Law Roach
Style Curator
“I’m so nervous. I’ve dreamed about being in a room like this. I’m from the south side of Chicago, a little brown boy who grew up with big dreams and nothing else. And I just want to thank us, everyone in this room, for allowing people to be different and celebrating them and the more different you are the better you do.”
Nicola Formichetti
Visionary
“I’m so happy that [Brandon] is doing really well—I feel like a proud mom.… I’d like to thank my creative community around the world. I feel inspired by this community, and this is why I keep going—to find people like them and do amazing things together.”
Martha Stewart
presenter
“I’m so pleased to be here tonight. Many, many years ago, I came to the Osborne Apartments right here on 57th street to visit one of the many, many illustrious tenants who resided there. It was Leonard Bernstein… Now, I go to the Osborne to visit another great conductor, an impresario, a composer. Not a musician, but an editor…. Stefano Tonchi can conduct a crowd like no one else.… His career has been jaw-droppingly fabulous. He has worked tirelessly for the best of the best in fashion, media, and art. He deserves this honor and then more. And by the way, I love his husband, I love his two gorgeous and intelligent daughters, and I love his apartment. Stefano Tonchi, everyone.”
Stefano Tonchi
lifetime achievement
“Thank you so much, Martha. You are an icon with a lifetime of achievements in your own right. And thank you to The Daily for this honor…. I’ve never been so excited about the future. I think there is still so much that I want to do with my career with W or in many other areas, as you have probably heard already. So let’s look at this as a midlife achievement, I think, and more will follow. Looking back, I believe our achievements are where we help others achieve their dreams and giving them a platform for their ideas and giving them the freedom to express themselves. So my big professional achievement is to see the ideas and the people I believe in be successful.”
