On Monday evening, a crowd gathered at The Rink at Rockefeller Center’s upper plaza. Prominent designers such as Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfiger, and Tory Burch were present for a group portrait in front of 130 newly revealed flags representing each U.S. state and territory.
The display, United Flags of Fashion, is a collaborative effort by Vogue and the CFDA, in partnership with America250 and Rockefeller Center. It involved over 100 designers who reimagined the nation’s flags to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Multiple designers interpreted several states, resulting in diverse creative expressions for the same regions.
Guests descended to The Rink for an evening of cocktails and canapés under the vibrant flags, navigating between tables shaded by large umbrellas—a suitable arrangement given the unpredictable weather that evening.
Prabal Gurung, a fashion designer and vice chair of the CFDA, described the event as a celebration of creativity and community. “At the end of the day, our job as creators is to make people feel seen,” he expressed. “That’s what we’re doing today—gathering everyone in solidarity and in celebration of joy.”
Many designers approached their tasks by drawing from personal history. “You can take the girl out of Illinois, but you can’t take Illinois out of the girl,” said Cynthia Rowley, who infused her childhood memories into a flag that encapsulates the state’s rural landscapes and Chicago’s cultural impact.
Others delved into historical themes. Jameel Mohammed, founder of KHIRY, named his Illinois flag Free and Fighting, paying tribute to the state’s entry into the Union as a free state. “Ultimately, I believe we’re all on the same side, and we can find union together,” he remarked.
“I feel like this is a real coming together. It’s amazing that we can inject a new vision into something that has been such a tradition,” Rowley added.
For Brooklyn-based jeweler Bernard James, New Hampshire’s motto served as the inspiration for his flag. “‘Live Free or Die’ really resonated with me,” he commented. “That’s what my brand is all about—chasing freedom. And that’s what America is about, too.” To him, the installation signified a convergence of diverse and eclectic creative talents from across the U.S.
Some designers enthusiastically tackled the challenge of interpreting lesser-known states. “We had the luxury of redesigning Tennessee, a state I’ve actually never been to,” said Maxwell Osborne of Public School. Osborne, along with Dao-Yi Chow, both New Yorkers, altered the flag’s color scheme from red to blue and reduced its three stars to one, experimenting with proportions to personalize the design. “I think we should put it in the running for their new state flag,” Osborne quipped.
Adam Goldston and Ryan Goldston of APL also reimagined the Tennessee flag, integrating the University of Tennessee’s checkerboard pattern into the installation’s sole orange flag. “Confinements breed creativity,” Adam Goldston explained. “There aren’t many opportunities to design something that feels like legacy and permanence.”
At approximately 6:45 p.m., CFDA Chairman and designer Thom Browne initiated the evening’s remarks, highlighting the creativity, diversity, and individuality as quintessentially American. “America is not made up of one voice,” he stated. “It’s made up of all of ours.”
