The Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund will go back to a competitive format for 2023. For the first time since 2020, one winner and two runner-ups, selected from a pool of 10 finalists, will receive a monetary prize as well as meaningful business mentorships and a pathway to success.
“This February’s shows in New York were a testament to the fabulous creativity, spirit and ingenuity of a new generation of American designers, and I can’t wait to meet the talents who will be our Fashion Fund class of 2023,” says Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director, Vogue.
“We are witnessing a generational shift in American fashion with an exciting group of young designers who, through their work, powerfully address the time and culture we live in,” Steven Kolb, CFDA’s CEO, adds. “As CFDA and Vogue embark on the 19 edition of the Fashion Fund, we look forward to further shape the future and continued success of the fashion industry.”
In addition to Wintour and Kolb, the other nine members of this year’s selection committee include designer Thom Browne (Chairman of the CFDA), Vogue editors Chioma Nnadi and Mark Holgate, Brother Vellies designer and Fifteen Percent Pledge founder Aurora James, Saks Fifth Avenue’s Roopal Patel, Instagram’s Eva Chen, Nordstrom’s Sam Lobban, model and activist Paloma Elsesser, and Afterpay co-founder and co-CEO Nick Molnar.
The Fashion Fund was revamped in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the CFDA and Vogue providing monetary assistance to all selected ten finalists. The retool was an extension of 2020’s Common Thread, which provided assistance to those in the fashion community impacted by COVID-19. (The Fashion Fund was put on pause that year.)
Designers eligible to apply for this year’s Fashion Fund must be in business for a minimum of two years. Their primary business must be based in the United States, should have no more than thirty full-time employees, and not exceed a total revenue of 10 million dollars per year.
The application process opens today through Wednesday, March 15.
