The echoes of excitement reverberated through the Brooklyn Museum as Jennifer Lopez and her fiancé, Alexander Rodriguez, made a grand entrance onto the red carpet of Monday night’s CFDA awards. Lopez, clad in a striking orange Ralph Lauren two-piece ensemble that flaunted her toned abs and adorned with a long, sleek ponytail, was honored with the Fashion Icon Award, sparking waves of admiration and conversation among fellow attendees and nominees, including Virgil Abloh, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Michael Kors, and Brandon Maxwell.

Maxwell, nominated for women’s wear designer of the year, expressed his excitement, reminiscing about the impact of Lopez’s album “On the 6” and eagerly anticipating her arrival. “I’m excited to be able to sing it as she walks into the room,” he shared, adding a touch of humor about his initial reaction to the nomination, which led him to a double therapy session to process the news.

For Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, Lopez’s iconic roles in movies like “Selena” left a lasting impression, with Laura recalling a memorable encounter at a taping of “American Idol.” Heron Preston, nominated for emerging designer of the year, reminisced about Lopez’s days on “In Living Color” and shared plans to continue celebrating after the awards ceremony.

Diane von Furstenberg made a symbolic entrance, carrying a replica of the Statue of Liberty’s torch to pass on to Tom Ford, her successor as CFDA chairman. Meanwhile, Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss expressed gratitude for his nomination and shared the joy of attending the event with friends and fellow creatives.

As the evening progressed, designer Mike Amiri praised Lopez for encapsulating a rock star mentality, while guests like Diane Kruger and Jason Wu enjoyed a laid-back evening of wine and camaraderie. The anticipation for Lopez’s arrival continued to build, culminating in a rock-star-style entrance with Alexander Rodriguez, further adding to the glamour and excitement of the night.