From Fergie to Michèle Lamy, this is how the guests at the Fashion Trust US Awards presented themselves

Julia Fox, Michèle Lamy and Erykah Badu.

Awards season isn't over yet.

On Tuesday night, Fashion Trust US hosted its fourth annual awards ceremony honoring emerging designers. The elusive dress code: “Fashion.”

In West Hollywood, a mix of faces—actors, musicians, influencers, and athletes, both young and seasoned—lined the red carpet (which was actually pink) in their own interpretations of the theme. In Los Angeles, the style is unique because it is varied. There is no better city to embody a dynamic message like “fashion.”

The carpet saw big names like Kali Uchis in Vlora Mustafa, Lake Bell in Rick Owens, Chrissy Teigen in Balenciaga, Bethenny Frankel in Valentino and Emma Chamberlain in Mugler, along with new designs from the night's 16 finalists.

Kelechukwu Mpamaugo, a finalist in the postgraduate category, wore her high school graduation dress. “It's the first design I made, even before I got into fashion,” she said. “I've only used it once, so why not?”

The fishtail dress, made from an African Akara wax fabric chosen by Mpamaugo's mother, was a mix of shapes, patterns and colours. “It's giving Afrofuturism,” he said.

Some of the Fashion Trust US Awards finalists on the pink carpet.

Keith Herron, finalist in the ready-to-wear category, was head-to-toe in Advisry, his own brand. For him, fashion is simply waking up and getting dressed. “I hope I'm on topic,” he says, “I wore clothes today.”

Josefina Baillères, finalist in the jewelry category and who won the award that same night, wore a simple mesh tunic. On her neck was a hand-carved quartz crystal in the shape of the Virgin Mary. Wrapped in blue chalcedony, set with diamonds and hung from a black silk ribbon, the piece is a contemporary interpretation of Baillères' Mexican heritage. For her, jewelry completes any look like “the icing on the cake.”

The ceremony honored achievements in fashion in several categories, including ready-to-wear, jewelry, accessories, graduate design and sustainability. Winners took home a $600,000 matching grant and will receive ongoing mentorship from Fashion Trust US and Google.

Tory Burch won the designer of the year award, presented by her old friend Pamela Anderson. While Michèle Lamy, who was FaceTiming husband Rick Owens during the ceremony, was recognized for her career in design and culture, and was accompanied on stage by Travis Scott and Erykah Badu, who called her “the model of the avant-garde, of exceptional freedom.”

Tory Burch accepts her designer of the year award.

Arthur Jafa, left, and Michèle Lamy FaceTiming with her husband Rick Owens.

Michèle Lamy accompanied on stage by Travis Scott and Erykah Badu.

Hosted by comedian and actor Ego Nwodim, the emerald-walled ballroom saw Lykke Li perform beloved classics, including “Little Bit” and “I Follow Rivers,” while guests, in true Los Angeles style, dined on pasta and meatballs from Jon and Vinny's.

Bobby Kim, recently named Disney's global creative director and Fashion Trust US 2026 advisory board judge, was excited to see the work of emerging designers. “I'm here to hear your stories,” he said. “And get some guidance on where the future of fashion is headed.” He wore KidSuper, whom he called the epitome of art. “Fashion is art, anyway,” he added.

Rei Ami embodied “divine femininity” in a Joseph Altuzarra look that features an abstract imprint of the female form. Her stylist, Ayumi Perry, said fashion is “free.” “You can really play and explore your personality through clothing,” she said. “I have no limitations when it comes to that.”

Stylist Bea Åkerlund dressed her and her “best friend” Fergie. “I don't get carried away by fashion,” Åkerlund said. “I go for the feeling.”