Denim was a natural choice for the red carpet at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City Monday night. The event, which honored Ralph Lauren, Gap Inc., Peter Marino and others, recognized excellence in American fashion design and celebrated the creative talent shaping the industry.
Gap Inc., recipient of the Amazon Fashion Innovation Award, made sure its signature product took center stage. GapStudio, the brand atelier and high-end fashion line led by Gap’s creative director Zac Posen, dressed actress Demi Moore in a custom corseted denim gown.
On Instagram, Posen said the construction of Gap’s iconic jeans inspired the gown’s sculptural silhouette. He noted the classic waistband, signature buttons, topstitching and hardware. Moore also carried a matching denim shoulder bag.

Lupita Nyong’o at 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards
Variety via Getty Images
GapStudio also dressed actress Lupita Nyong’o in three custom dresses based on Gap’s classic T-shirt. She wore a cherry red two-piece and jean jacket on the red carpet, a navy dress with a denim bomber jacket and clutch for cocktail hour and a sculpted French terry halter gown for the award presentation.

Lupita Nyong’o and Zac Posen at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards
WWD via Getty Images
Posen and Gap Inc. CEO Richard Dickson also sported blue jeans at the event.
ThreeASFour founders Angela Donhauser, Gabriel Asfour and Adi Gil brought their avant-garde approach to denim to the red carpet. Donhauser and Gil wore patchwork pieces, and Asfour sported a denim one-piece with a matching jacket.

Angela Donhauser, Gabi Asfour and Adi Gil at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards
WWD via Getty Images
Shaboozey stayed true to his country roots in a Ralph Lauren jacket, waistcoat and distressed denim, finishing the look with a statement bolo tie and a turquoise-embellished belt buckle.

Shaboozey at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards
WWD via Getty Images