In a night charged with anticipation, Rachel Scott, the creative force behind Diotima, was announced as the first-ever recipient of the Empowered Vision Award. This landmark award, a new initiative from the CFDA and the Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation, recognizes Scott’s standout creative voice in the fashion industry and her ability to navigate both artistic and commercial demands with ease. This comes on the heels of her recent win at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards, where she took home the title of American Womenswear Designer of the Year.
Scott’s journey to this moment has been defined by her global perspective and meticulous approach to design. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, and now based in Brooklyn, she has worked with renowned designers, including Rachel Comey, before launching Diotima. Scott has since gained notable traction, with her label stocked at several prominent retailers. Her designs, which frequently embody a fusion of cultural identity and modern sensibility, have garnered critical acclaim for their sophisticated interplay of materials, such as the intricate use of melted-down paillettes that mimic the delicate texture of oyster shells.
Shiona Turini, a member of the Empowered Vision Award’s Selection Committee, spoke to Vogue on the qualities that set Scott apart. “Rachel brought something particularly special. Her point of view was so clear and concise, and she paired it with goals that felt grounded and achievable. You can see she’s really equipped to thrive in both the creative and commercial space — she has that mix of creativity and drive that’s going to take her far,” Turini said. This unique balance, Turini noted, is what makes Scott’s work not only resonant but also primed for success on a larger scale.
The Empowered Vision Award was established to elevate emerging Black designers by providing a $100,000 financial grant and an additional $100,000 mentorship fund aimed at fostering brand growth, production, and market positioning. Created by the Frazier Family Foundation in collaboration with the CFDA, the award is structured to address the lack of representation, funding, and industry support that Black designers often encounter. “When we looked at the fashion industry, it became clear that Black designers face significant challenges in accessing the resources and mentorship needed for long-term success,” said James Frazier, trustee of the Frazier Family Foundation. “This award is a natural extension of our work to address those gaps and help foster lasting change.”
