Jennifer Lopez looked nowhere near her 49 years of age as she picked up her Fashion Icon award at the 2019 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards which took place in New York last night.
The actress was a vision in an orange crop top and maxi skirt by Ralph Lauren which gave us a generous view of her glorious abs.
The mum of two was accompanied by her fiancé, Alex Rodriguez who made the perfect date in a suit and tie.
Read her acceptance speech below.
“Receiving an award for the fashion image you put forward is a huge honor. But when you realize the power of fashion at such a young age, even subconsciously, you know it’S going to be a big part of our life. I think we all realize the power fashion has from the very beginning, when you wear your special dress and your daddy says, ‘Oh, you look so beautiful!’ or your grandma fauns over you. You understand that how people see you is important, and a lot of that is what you wear. But after I started my career and it expanded into movies and music, I learned that it’s much more profound than that. Whether it’s in a movie role or a music video that sets a trend for pop culture, or the red carpet, or transcending into a character, or giving you the confidence you need to perform in front of 20,000 people, fashion is about the powerful moments it creates that can inspire you and the world around you.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by some of the most talented artists and designers in the world for simply doing what you love—thank you. I grew up in the Bronx—some of you may have heard [laughs] So of course I had to wear Ralph Lauren tonight, [who is] also from the Bronx! I know he understands a girl’s love of crop tops, ponytails, sparkles, and a little drama. Growing up there in the ’80s gave me my first fashion influences. As a girl I didn’t have a lot of clothes, but I would cut up my sweatshirts and jeans and make miniskirts out of them and I’d try to be like my idols—Madonna, Cyndi Lauper. I was also influenced by the people in my neighborhood and the explosion of hip hop at that time. Being in the epicenter of that—the baggy jeans and the shell-toe Adidas and the Timberland boots, and lots and lots and lots of jewelry. Too much jewelry was not enough jewelry. Some things never change. And of course my hoops, I can’t forget my signature hoops!
“But once I took the 6 train into the city and traded my Tims for Dr. Martens and I cut my hair short, I did more of a downtown look and I realized there was so much more out there. And that continued to grow as I entered the business. I was exposed to Oribe and Kevyn Aucoin… [pauses amid cheers]… who worked with all of those supermodels I looked at in Vogue magazine as I took the train into the city. So when I had the opportunity to choose my hair and makeup artists for my first album cover shoot, magically, there I was in the room with them. I also grew up with a deep love of Hollywood musicals from the ’40s and ’50s, the glitz and glamour of Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe… So with those two doing my hair and makeup, and Andrea Lieberman, who was my stylist for so many years and exposed me not only to the designers of the day, but also to those of the ’60s and ’70s—Halston, Balenciaga, Courrèges, Valentino, Alaïa—it was like a playground for me. A literal dream come true. I started making records in the ’90s in the era of the waif and the supermodel, but once I was introduced to those people, my life changed. Sitting in the design rooms of Oscar de la Renta and Versace, Gucci, and so many of you guys here tonight—people who designed and allowed me to get into their designs, for a woman with curves like me… To say I was like a kid in a candy store is an understatement. And slowly, curves began to be embraced, and girls wanted to combine street style with couture. I’m grateful to all of you for that.
“We lost two of those great artists Kevyn Aucoin [in 2002] and Oribe this year, who helped turn me from an around-the-way girl to a girl who could grace a magazine cover. Together we created the most iconic looks, and I’m forever grateful. Tonight I’m dedicating this award to them.
“I’ve been a little sentimental lately because this is a special year for me personally. I’m about to start a tour in celebration of a big birthday—you don’t have to say it out loud! We know! [laughs]. It’s also the 20th anniversary of my album On the 6, and yes, it’s almost been 20 years since that green [Versace] dress. Since that moment, green has always been my lucky color. [That dress has] been around for 40 movies, 11 albums, a couple of babies, a couple of divorces, but countless great moments. And as this night shows, there is so much to look forward to.
“Before I end, I want to give a special thank you to some people who have been in my life for many years. When you’re in this business, you need people who understand you and don’t try to change you, and for me in the fashion arena, those people are Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, my stylists. Rob and Mariel, you understand me so completely. I know I drive you crazy, but we’ve translated that into so many unforgettable moments. Our collaboration means so much to me, and I’m lucky to have you—thank you so much.
“To Scott Barnes, my makeup artist for years who looks at fashion and completes the picture like nobody else—there aren’t enough words. Thank you to the rest of my glam fam, there are so many talented artist I’ve gotten to work with—Lorenzo, Chris Appleton, you guys know who you are. I’d also like to thank my family, my babies Emmy and Max, Alex, Tashi, and Ella—you guys make me feel like the MVP every day. You make me feel like the most beautiful person in the world just for being loved. Thank you to the CFDA for this incredible honor and the designers in this room and this industry. You have added immeasurably to my personal and professional life. Thank you for having collaborated with me, embraced em, and shared with me the best of your art, your creations, your style, and mostly, your kindness and love. I’m forever grateful—thank you so much.”
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