Anthony Vaccarello Wins International Designer of the Year

Anthony Vaccarello took creative control of Saint Laurent in 2016, succeeding Hedi Slimane. Ten years later, the CFDA credits him with “sustained creative conviction, global influence, and cultural relevance,” with the award set to be formally presented at the CFDA Fashion Awards on November 2 at New York’s American Museum of Natural History.

Across that decade, Anthony Vaccarello tightened Saint Laurent around an immediately recognizable vocabulary: elongated tailoring, severe shoulders, sheer eveningwear, leather, dark glamour and a cinematic image world extending far beyond the runway. The consistency has helped turn creative continuity itself into part of the house’s identity.

Fashion has spent the last few seasons cycling through major creative-director appointments, debuts and brand resets. Saint Laurent has largely stayed outside that churn.

Vaccarello’s tenure shows how long-term authorship can gradually build authority. Seasonal ideas change, but the wider image remains coherent enough that a campaign, red-carpet placement or runway silhouette can often register as Saint Laurent before the logo appears.

The CFDA will also honor Tory Burch, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Linda Fargo, Eva Chen and Susan Cianciolo at this year’s ceremony.

Ten years into one of fashion’s most enduring current tenures, the International Designer of the Year honor feels like recognition not only of individual collections, but of the consistency Anthony Vaccarello has turned into Saint Laurent’s contemporary strength.