Kolb went on to thank the 2024 judges—VP of Fashion at Meta Eva Chen, VP and Fashion Director at Nordstrom Rickie de Sole, model Paloma Elsesser, Brother Vellies Creative Director and Fifteen Percent Pledge Founder Aurora James, SVP and Fashion Director at Saks Roopal Patel, and Vogue’s Mark Holgate and Nicole Phelps—before noting the caliber of talent among the finalists. “I have done this as a judge for eighteen years, and I have to say, this might have been the most difficult year yet,” Kolb shared. “But we came to a really great decision.”

Next to address the crowd was Gap, Inc. creative director Zac Posen, who emphasized the importance of support from fellow designers, recalling how Tom Ford and Domenico De Sole underwrote his second collection. “They took a leap of faith, and it changed my life. I wouldn’t be here today, I don’t believe if they hadn’t.”

Already sponsors of the night’s festivities, Gap, Inc. delivered more goodwill with a special CVFF 20th Anniversary Mentorship Award. “The winner is Grace Ling!” Posen announced. Applause ensued as the designer accepted, wearing a cut-out black dress of her own design, a metal rose winding up the bodice. Ling will receive a year of mentorship from Posen and his design team in New York and San Francisco.

Later, Olympian Gabby Thomas took the mic and minced no words when introducing herself. “You probably know me from winning three gold medals in Paris this summer,” Thomas said to the crowd, who cheered in response. “My first big win, though, happened when I won the NCAA Championships my junior year in college. I hope that the names that I’m about to read will feel this as their big win, and that will lead to many golden moments in their future.” With that, Thomas announced the 2024 CVFF runners-up—Spencer Phipps of Phipps and Jackson Wiederhoeft of Wiederhoeft—and winning label, L’Enchanteur by Dynasty and Soull Ogun. (In addition to mentorship from leading industry professionals, Phipps and Wiederhoeft will each receive $100,000 to grow their businesses, while the Ogun sisters will receive $300,000.)

“Thank you so much to everyone in the buildings and to everyone who supported us throughout this whole journey,” an emotional Dynasty said upon accepting the award. “And to all of our peers, you guys are amazing… I don’t have any words.” After thanking their parents, she passed the mic to Soull, who offered this: “Thank you so much to the judges, you guys have been so inspirational throughout this journey—all of your advice has helped us along the way. And thank you to everyone here. We hope to make you all proud.” Judging by the smiles, tears, and enthusiasm in the crowd, they already have.