Brazilian fashion designer Francisco Costa was awarded fashion top’s honor at the Council of Fashion Designers of America gala in New York on Monday:

“If there’s an American dream, this is it for me,” said Costa, who grew up in Brazil’s countryside.

He beat out perennial nominee Marc Jacobs, who did win the womenswear award in 1997, and Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler, who had been picked as the best up-and-coming designers only three years ago.

The star-studdded event was attended by industry bigwigs, as well as celebrities, among them Alicia Keys, Harry Connick Jr. and Jessica Simpson.

Via / Yahoo! Entertainment