Fashion People Podcast

Episode: Night of a Thousand Fashion People
Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Lauren Sherman
Guest: Derek Blasberg

Episode Overview

This episode of Fashion People centers around the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards—bringing together insider observations, red carpet stories, and broader industry commentary. Host Lauren Sherman is joined by journalist and Substack author Derek Blasberg (“And Another Thing”), as they discuss the event’s biggest moments, the evolving landscape of American fashion, the significance of new and established names being honored, and the oncoming transformation of media brands like Teen Vogue. The conversation is lively, peppered with humorous asides, friendly jabs, and reflective industry analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CFDA Fashion Awards Recap (03:41–19:39)

• The Atmosphere and Event Logistics
  • Lauren and Derek reminisce about previous CFDA galas, discussing how the event has become a “marathon” that runs late into the night.
  • Lauren suggests, “They should serve the food while they are doing the awards...people at that point in the night are ready for the Awards.” (04:45)
• Celebrity Sightings & Table Gossip
  • Lauren’s seat near industry luminaries like Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace, Amanda Silverman, Mark Ronson, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky is a focal point:
    • “I turn around, my seat was wedged between Anna and Donatella Versace...and to my right, it’s Rihanna and A$AP.” (06:32)
  • Discussion of A$AP Rocky’s charismatic acceptance speech:
    • “His sign off was like, stay happy and I’ll stay pretty.” (07:56)
• Award Standouts
  • Ralph Lauren’s win for Womenswear Designer of the Year as a “career cap off,” and why “prep” and '80s nostalgia are resurging in fashion.
    • Derek: “When everyone...that was sort of an emotional and grand moment for a living legend. A king in New York, a king in this business.” (09:05)
  • Peter Muller's humble speech recognized the “unsung heroes” of fashion (patternmakers, assistants), drawing praise from both hosts for his low-profile influence (15:28–16:17).
  • Honoring designers and their broader cultural influences, such as Donatella Versace’s advocacy and A$AP Rocky’s star power.
• Fashion’s Evolving Aesthetics
  • Nostalgia’s role (“everyone who’s coming into power right now is in their early to mid-40s”) and Japanese expansion (Onward’s scaling of J. Press).
  • Derek discusses “twisted preps” and the enduring relevance of classic American brands (09:47–11:21).

2. “American Black Tie” Dress Code & Elasticated Trousers (19:41–23:25)

• Fashion Choices at the Awards
  • Lauren wore vintage Bill Blass; Mel Ottenberg’s tuxedo with jeans is highlighted for its “party on bottom” spirit.
  • Discussion moves to the trend of drawstring and elasticated dress pants, and Gen Z’s embrace of public pajama dressing:
    • Derek: “If we’re talking about function and fashion, I also have a pair of elasticated pants...definitely more comfortable.” (21:53)
    • Lauren: “My rule is I don’t like an elasticated waist. I can do a drawstring...” (22:23)
• Nostalgic Industry Reflections
  • Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler discussed in the context of designer movements and the “cool kids' table.”

3. The L.A. Gala Season & Event Circuit (26:04–33:16)

• LACMA Gala & The Power of LA Events
  • Derek describes the community’s joy at the Dodgers’ win during the LACMA gala, underscoring how LA’s sociopolitical climate impacts the mood of its elite gatherings.
• Nonstop Gala Season
  • Naming the parade of events: Academy Gala, LACMA, Baby2Baby, Vogue World. Derek’s frequent flyer fatigue is apparent.
• Philanthropy & Social Circles
  • Baby2Baby’s “incredible organization” and the female entrepreneurs behind it.
    • Derek: “Built from scratch this incredible organization that started by distributing necessities to local families in LA and is now an international powerhouse.” (29:18)
• Candid Industry Wisdom
  • The two riff about the merits (and realities) of board membership.
    • Derek: “You just described someone who is lazy and there for cash...you have to show up.” (31:28–32:10)

4. The Creator Economy & Derek's Substack (33:13–36:51)

• Blasberg’s Career Philosophy
  • Derek: “If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life.” (34:32, quoting Mark Twain)
  • Lauren lauds Derek as the epitome of making work feel like play—though the Substack grind brings its own challenges:
    • Derek: “There are days when I love that I am flexing my little literary muscle...and then there are days when I’m reminded that the creator economy is a bottomless pit...a giant hamster wheel.” (35:01)
  • The Substack community is described as a less toxic, more engaged space than other social platforms.

5. Media Mishaps: The End of Teen Vogue (37:14–44:39)

• Teen Vogue & Digital Consolidation
  • News broke that Teen Vogue is folding into Vogue, with layoffs including the EIC. Also, Vogue Business to be consolidated.
    • Lauren: “...why in the world of the Internet, why can’t there just be teen coverage on Vogue?...It just reflects the times and also the way teen culture has changed.” (38:32–39:35)
  • Personal reflections on the importance of Teen Vogue during its heyday and its progressive, political stance in the 2010s.
  • Anecdotes about prior involvement with Teen Vogue and the significance of having real fashion editors and photographers cover a young, female demographic.
    • Derek: “There was also incredible power in treating that demographic...They had real photographers shooting fashion stories...they legitimized that era’s girl.” (44:11)
• Leadership at Conde Nast
  • Lauren highlights Chloe Moll’s role in softening the blow of the layoffs and steering the Vogue editorial team.

6. Upcoming Industry Events & Final Thoughts (44:39–49:12)

• Gagosian Gallery Openings
  • Derek outlines major upcoming events, including Richard Prince and Jeff Koons gallery openings, Sotheby’s new location, and coverage of the upcoming Lauder auction.
• Celebration of Positive Voices
  • Derek: “I call myself a cheerleader more than a critic...” (49:12)
  • Lauren and Derek end on an uplifting note about honesty, enthusiasm, and the future of fashion communities both in-person and online.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Seating at CFDA:
  “...my seat was wedged between Anna and Donatella Versace...and to my right, it’s Rihanna and A$AP.” – Lauren Sherman (06:32)
• On A$AP Rocky:
  “His sign off was like, stay happy and I’ll stay pretty.” – Derek Blasberg (07:56)
• On Timeless Fashion:
  “I have my twisted...I have the original version of this stuff.” – Derek Blasberg, on the cyclical nature of American prep (10:16)
• On the Power of Showing Up:
  “If you want to stay relevant...you have to show up.” – Derek Blasberg (32:10)
• On Board Memberships:
  “The way you just described being on a board is not a quality board member. You just described someone who is lazy and there for cash.” – Derek Blasberg (31:28)
• On Substack and the Creator Economy:
  “...there are days when I love that I am flexing my little literary muscle...and there are days when I’m reminded that the creator economy is a bottomless pit and you never feel like you’re caught up...” – Derek Blasberg (35:01)
• On the End of Teen Vogue:
  “...why in the world of the Internet, why can’t there just be teen coverage on Vogue?...It just reflects the times and also the way teen culture has changed.” – Lauren Sherman (39:35)
• On Positive Influence:
  “I call myself a cheerleader more than a critic, so I’m very...” – Derek Blasberg (49:12)
• On Honesty in Coverage:
  “You’re enthusiastic, but it...feels real. Like, even if you’re hot...you’re not going to say a mean thing. You are also not gonna say something that you don’t believe...” – Lauren Sherman (49:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• CFDA Awards Recap: 03:41–19:39
• Dress Code & Drawstring Pant Trend: 19:41–23:25
• L.A. Gala Season & Social Circuit: 26:04–33:16
• Creator Economy / Substack: 33:13–36:51
• Teen Vogue/Fashion Media Shake-up: 37:14–44:39
• Industry Happenings & Wrap-Up: 44:39–49:12

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a blend of wit, candor, and insider specificity, swapping self-deprecating jokes (“You just described someone who is lazy and there for cash...”—Derek, 31:28), mutual respect, and sincere admiration for the industry’s creative spirit. The episode is filled with behind-the-scenes storytelling and a palpable sense of both nostalgia and forward-looking optimism.

This summary delivers an engaging, in-depth account of what truly mattered in this episode for listeners who want the pulse of fashion’s elite and the transformations shaping the business.