It’s been an incredibly busy year for Rachel Scott, the designer behind Diotima. Between being named runner-up for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, a finalist for the LVMH Prize, and dressing stars including Keke Palmer, Doja Cat, and Gabrielle Union, Scott has had more eyes on her work than ever. “This has been such a major year for Diotima with the CFDA Replica Hermes Bag Reviews Fashion Fund prize and the LVMH finals, but those were both competitions that we applied for and worked really hard on,” she says. Still, earning a CFDA nomination for Emerging Designer of the Year came as a surprise to the Jamaican designer, who launched her label in 2021. “The nomination comes from the members of the CFDA, the designers and leaders of American fashion, and some of my heroes. To be nominated by this community is really such an honor and I still can’t believe they even know about me and the brand!”
Last night, Scott took home the award for Diotima, known for its mesmerizing, distinctive pieces that incorporate traditional crochet work from her native Jamaica. For the ceremony, Scott dressed Ayesha Curry, Aurora James, Ricky De Sole, and Eva Chen, as well as her guest, model Kai Newman. In helping them prepare for the evening, she was able to focus her nervous energy elsewhere. “For most of the lead up I had not been thinking about [the ceremony] much, because I really didn’t think I was going to be awarded,” she says. “Instead I focused on dressing an incredible and powerful group of women who so kindly asked me for their looks.” Still, friends and mentors encouraged Scott to enjoy her special night, which included Christopher John Rogers’s after party. Later, she adds, she plans to celebrate her win with her Diotima team and community.
While she may have outfitted the stars for the evening, Scott also had her own look on her mind. She chose to stay true to herself, jumping off of a go-to look. “My look was a dressed up version of how I dress everyday, a mixture of showing skin, while being covered up, my favorite crystal mesh with fringe for some ASMR drama while walking, a blazer with crochet from Jamaica, and a carved wood heart with gold leaf by Jamaican artist Laura Facey as a talisman,” she says. “I wanted to feel comfortable and like myself.”
Below, Scott brings Vogue behind the scenes of her CFDA Awards prep.
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima1/11A moment of calm with a facial at Daphne.
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima2/11Fitting with Rachel’s guest Kai Newman in her room at the Public Hotel. On the phone with stylist Marika-Ella Ames in London while Hair Stylist Joey George holds the phone.
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima3/11Kai and Rachel getting their beauty done by Juliet Jane. Hair stylist Joey George gives Kai a heart-shaped chignon for good luck and love.
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima4/11Joey George working on Rachel’s curls.
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima5/11Fernando from the hair team drives Rachel to meet Aurora James and Ayesha Curry at their hotel.
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima6/11Fitting with Ayesha Curry
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima7/11Fitting with Aurora James
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima8/11Curry and James are dressed and ready to head to the CFDA Awards
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima9/11A moment to document the whole look outside while waiting for a pickup. Rachel wears a carved wood heart by Jamaican artist Laura Facey as a talisman.
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima10/11Back at the Public Hotel, and dressing Kai with Kadeem from the Diotima team.
Courtesy of Rachel Scott / Diotima11/11Leaving for the Natural History Museum, ready for the CFDA.
