Become a Member
To be a Member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America is to belong to an esteemed group of America’s leading apparel, jewelry, eyewear, and accessory designers.
Eligibility Checklist
- I have actively been designing for at least five (5) years in the fields of apparel, accessories, jewelry, or related products, including theatrical costumes and textile design.
- I am either a U.S. citizen designing in the United States or abroad, or an international designer whose business headquarters has been legally based in the U.S. for at least five (5) years.
- I understand that CFDA membership dues are payable on a sliding scale annually.
Application Process
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1
Designers interested in CFDA membership may request application materials at any time and will be notified when the application process officially opens. -
2
Candidates are required to submit a comprehensive design portfolio that represents the designer’s body of professional work to date and clearly demonstrates to the Admissions Committee that the candidate is the recognized designer of their “label.” -
3
Applicants are required to submit letters of recommendation from at least three (3) fashion industry colleagues who can speak to the applicant’s talent, business acumen, and relevance. Supplemental letters from CFDA Members are strongly encouraged. -
4
The Admissions Committee reviews all submitted applications, portfolios, and letters of recommendation prior to a preliminary decision meeting. -
5
The decisions and recommendations made by the Admissions Committee are ratified by the Board of Directors in December. All candidates are notified with the results of their application directly following the meeting.
