Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are in contention for another major fashion honour as the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards prepare to bring together leading American designers and celebrities in New York. The 40-year-old twins, who founded luxury fashion label The Row, are nominated for American Accessory Designer of the Year after winning the same category in 2025.
This year's competition includes established designers and independent labels, raising the possibility of another victory for the former child stars.
Hosted by actress and television personality Keke Palmer, the ceremony will take place on Monday, 2 November 2026, at the American Museum of Natural History. With Naomi Osaka, Lupita Nyong'o and Matt Damon among the announced presenters, the event will bring together prominent figures from fashion, film and sport.
The Olsen Twins Face Fresh Competition
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen return to the accessories category after receiving the American Accessory Designer of the Year award for The Row on 3 November 2025. The sisters, who began their careers as child actresses, founded the luxury label in 2006 and have since established a reputation for minimalist designs, premium materials and understated styling.
The Row's collections include handbags, footwear, and ready-to-wear clothing, with the brand becoming particularly associated with refined silhouettes and discreet luxury. However, another victory is not guaranteed.
The twins face competition from jewellery designer Ana Khouri, Raul Lopez for Luar, Sophie Buhai, and Stuart Vevers for Coach. The nominees represent different approaches to accessories, ranging from sculptural jewellery to contemporary handbags and established luxury craftsmanship.
The winner will be selected through votes cast by the CFDA Fashion Awards Guild, an invitation-only group of designers, fashion editors, journalists, retail executives, stylists, and other industry professionals. Voting closed on 23 October 2026. Tennis star Naomi Osaka is scheduled to present the American Accessory Designer of the Year award.
Major Designers Compete for Top Honours
The American Womenswear Designer of the Year category features Catherine Holstein for Khaite, Michael Kors, Rachel Scott for Diotima, Tory Burch, and Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera. Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o will present the award, recognising designers whose collections have contributed to contemporary American womenswear.
Meanwhile, the menswear category includes Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria, and Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne for Public School New York. Actor Matt Damon is scheduled to present the award.
The Google American Emerging Designer of the Year category will also recognise newer talent, with Colleen Allen, Emily Dawn Long, Julia Ferentinos for Juju Vera, Julian Louie for Aubero, and Zane Li for Lii nominated. Actor and comedian Cole Escola will present the emerging designer award.
The nominations highlight the range of American fashion, bringing together internationally recognised names and independent designers developing their presence in the industry. Palmer will host the ceremony, presented in partnership with Amazon Fashion, as designers and other industry figures gather for the annual celebration.
Other Awards and Honours to be Presented
Alongside the competitive categories, several prominent names will receive special honours. Architect Peter Marino will receive the 2026 Fashion Icon Award, presented by Cornelia Guest, recognising his distinctive personal style and longstanding influence on the worlds of fashion, art and design.
Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello will receive the International Designer of the Year Award, recognising his contributions to the French fashion house. Tory Burch will receive the Positive Change Award for her work supporting women entrepreneurs through the Tory Burch Foundation.
Photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin will be presented with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging their longstanding influence on fashion photography. Eva Chen will receive the Media Award in honour of Eugenia Sheppard, while Linda Fargo will be recognised with the Founder's Award in honour of Eleanor Lambert.
Finally, designer and artist Susan Cianciolo will receive the Isabel Toledo Board of Directors' Tribute for her contributions to fashion and creative practice.
The ceremony will also offer the Olsen twins another opportunity to add to The Row's awards record. Having secured the accessories honour in 2025, the sisters enter this year's competition as returning winners, although the outcome remains undecided.
Whether The Row claims another trophy or a rival designer takes the prize, the category will be among the closely watched contests at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
