Today, the CFDA and Vogue introduced a reimagined format for the 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
Evolving from last year’s A Common Thread initiative, which provided financial relief for those in the fashion community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, CFDA and Vogue agreed that this time required a new approach that addresses the current challenges in the American fashion industry.
In 2021, all ten finalists will receive funds and mentorship based on their designated areas of need. The application is open to emerging designers as well as past CVFF finalists and designer recipients of last year’s A Common Thread funding.
In past years, the Fashion fund, which started in 2003, awarded three prizes to a winner and two runners-up, chosen by a Selection Committee from 10 finalists.
“The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund began in a time of crisis, and given where we are now it’s important that we continue to give back like never before,” said Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief and global editorial director, Vogue and global chief content officer, Condé Nast. “After last year’s A Common Thread initiative, we decided to rethink our seventeen-year fund to serve our designers in the best and strongest way possible.”
“Designers face enormous challenges and need significant support to navigate this time,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. “We strongly felt that it was the right moment to evolve the Fashion Fund, provide funding and guidance to all ten finalists, and give them an equal opportunity to survive and ultimately thrive in our industry.”
Additionally, Tom Ford, Chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Aurora James, founder of Brother Vellies and the 15% Pledge, and Sam Lobban, Senior Vice President, Designer & New Concepts, Nordstrom, have been named to the Selection Committee. They join returning judges Anna Wintour, Chioma Nnadi, and Mark Holgate of Vogue, Steven Kolb of CFDA, Eva Chen of Instagram, Roopal Patel of Saks Fifth Avenue, and model and activist Paloma Elsesser.
The 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is generously supported by Instagram, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Ave and Vogue.
The CVFF application process will open on March 10th!
Pictured: 2019 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Christopher John Rogers with runners-up Danielle Hirsch of Danielle Frankel and Reese Cooper.
