Thom Browne Hosted a Cocktail Hour Celebrating New Members of the CFDA

At Nubeluz, located on the 50th floor of The Ritz Carlton NoMad, new members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America must have felt like they were on top of the world—the night marked a celebration of their induction into the prestigious collectsive.

The occasion was enlivened by a guest list featuring fashion’s most prominent innovators—emerging talent and established names alike. New members, including Elena Velez, Danielle Hirsch Frankel, Brandon Blackwood, Jamie Okuma, Raul Lopez, and Colm Dillane, were among those honored.

“I want you all to know how special it is to be a member of the CFDA,” said CFDA chairman Thom Browne. “You are all voted in by your peers because of your pure creativity. We didn’t take into account how big your business was or how famous or rich you were. It all comes down to how purely creative you are, and that is what we are all aspiring to be—the creative voice in the city.”

The venue, which showcases panoramic views overlooking the city, was gilded with fresh white flowers as guests enjoyed canapés and craft cocktails from the culinary mind of José Andrés.

The CFDA is home to a diverse roster of 458 designers specializing in womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessories. Among the designers who graced the evening were Maria Cornejo, Zac Posen, Tory Burch, Prabal Gurung, Christopher John Rogers, Emily Adams Bode Aujla, and many others.