Skip to content

About CFDA

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1962, whose membership consists of nearly 370 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry and accessory designers.
Our mission is to strengthen the impact of American fashion globally by amplifying creative excellence, business longevity, and positive impact.

Our pillars include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through the IMPACT initiative, as well as Sustainability in Fashion.

The organization provides its Members with timely and relevant thought-leadership and business development support. Emerging designers and students are supported through professional development programming and numerous grant and scholarship opportunities.

In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization owns the Fashion Calendar and is the organizer of the Official New York Fashion Week Schedule.

The CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate, not-for-profit organized to mobilize the membership to raise funds for charitable causes and engage in civic initiatives.

History

Eleanor Lambert believed in destiny — her own destiny – predicted by a fortuneteller – that she would live a long life and know the greatest and most talented people of her era.

Learn More

Thom
Browne

Board Chairman

Thom Browne opened his doors in the fall of 2001, redefining the concept of tailored clothing. For spring 2004, Browne took his first step into ready-to-wear. All of the items from his ready-to-wear collection continue to be hand-made, but simply pre-made for the customer who values quality, fine detailing and a fresh vision. The collections have evolved into designs that have drawn attention from the fashion and design industries worldwide, often pushing the boundaries of conventional conceptions. In 2006, the original “by-appointment-only” shop in the Meatpacking District relocated to Hudson Street in Tribeca. In 2013, Thom Browne opened his first store outside the U.S. in Tokyo, followed by stores in Hong Kong and Seoul in 2014.

View profile

Officers

Officers

Aurora James

Prabal Gurung

Stacey Bendet

Maria Cornejo

Board

Board of Directors

Tory Burch

Dao-Yi Chow

Carly Cushnie

Bethann Hardison

Stan Herman

Tommy Hilfiger

Norma Kamali

Michael Kors

Ralph Lauren

Tracy Reese

Vera Wang

Diane von Furstenberg

Emeritus

Emeritus Board

Jeffrey Banks

John Bartlett

Georgina Chapman

Kenneth Cole

Francisco Costa

Stephen Dweck

Carolina Herrera

Marc Jacobs

Alexander Julian

Donna Karan

Calvin Klein

Richard Lambertson

Byron Lars

Nicole Miller

Isaac Mizrahi

Robert Lee Morris

Ashley Olsen

Narciso Rodriguez

Kara Ross

Selima Salaun

Mimi So

Yeohlee Teng

Patricia Underwood

John Varvatos

Marcus Wainwright

Italo Zucchelli

CFDA

CFDA Team Members

Steven Kolb

Chief Executive Officer and President

Lisa Smilor

Executive Vice President

Sara Kozlowski

Vice President of Program Strategies, Education and Sustainability Initiatives

Aldo Araujo

Senior Marketing and Communications Manager

Kevin Bass

Senior Associate of Fashion Week Initiatives

Sacha Brown

Senior Director of Professional Development

Emilyn Edillon

Program Strategies Manager

Marc Karimzadeh

Editorial and Communications Director

Leigh King

Director of Special Projects and Events

Joseph Maglieri

Director of Fashion Week Initiatives

Audrey Marzan

Chief of Staff

Isabella Mayes

Special Projects and Events Associate

Cal McNeil

Director of Business Development and Partnerships

John Monkhouse

Finance Manager

Elizabeth (Liz) Ritger

Development Manager

Alexis (Ali) Rubin

Partnerships & Business Development Manager

Ebony Wiggins

Director of Program Strategies and Equity Initiatives

Subscribe

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.