The 2014 Council of the Fashion Designers of America Awards (aka the Fashion Oscars) are tonight, but one of its biggest honorees celebrated early.
Fashion icon and activist Bethann Hardison was feted Sunday night ahead of receiving her CFDA's Founders Award at a dance party thrown by Essence magazine at Marquee nightclub in New York City. The star-studded event was co-hosted by Hardison's close friends Iman, Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford. And a quick search of the hashtag #bethannCFDA revealed the type of party that any fashionista would die to attend.
Jennifer Hudson, supermodel Joan Smalls, June Ambrose and more, stepped out in style to celebrate Hardison's amazing legacy. Essence also presented its Vanguard Award to the fashion activist during the party.
Hardison's crusade to end racism within the fashion industry has only recently afforded her the type of recognition she deserves, although the Diversity Coalition matriarch has been fighting the good fight for decades. Let's just say this celebration was long overdue. But as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait -- and this party was gooood!
Check out some of the fabulous fun below...
Bethann with supermodel Joan Smalls
June Ambrose, Iman and Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford
Elaine Welteroth, Teen Vogue's beauty and health director, and supermodel Tyson Beckford
Fashion designer Zac Posen and fashion journalist/author Teri Agins
Celia Smith, Essence.com fashion editor, and Reneise Francis, Essence fashion market editor
Filmmaker/author Crystal McCrary, writer Ericah Ried and fashion creative director Stefan Campbell
June Ambrose, Bethann Haridson, Jay Manuel and Naomi Campbell
Vanessa K. Bush, Essence's editor-in-chief and Bethann
Models Afiya Bennett and Sharam Diniz
Iman, Jennifer Hudson and Naomi Campbell
Creative multimedia consultant Emil Wilbekin and "Fashion Queens" co-host Bevy Smith
DooBop.com co-founder, Jodie Patterson and Elaine Welteroth
The woman of the hour!
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