Created in partnership with the Accessories Council, the Elaine Gold Launch Pad program continues to support early-emerging talent. Challenged to map the future of their venture and fashion, creating a 360 Venture Pitch, the 3.0 cohort concluded the program this Monday with a final presentation at CFDA’s headquarters.
“The future of our industry is evident with these young brands that are participating in the Elaine Gold Launch Pad program,” said Steven Kolb, the President and CEO of CFDA. “CFDA is proud to invest in their success.”
Based on the presentations, the final selection committee — Angela Luna, Adiff; Antoine Phillips, Gucci; Brielle Milano, Industry City; Carly-Ann Fergus; Frank Zambrelli, Design Quadrant; Hoffman Wu, K11; Karen Giberson, Accessories Council; Kyle Andrew, SBC Global; Leila Larijani, UBS; Mecca James-Williams, The Zoe Report; CFDA’s Sara Kozlowski and Steven Kolb; and Stirling Barrett of Krewe — awarded $70,000 to Dana Hurwitz and Mariah Pershadsingh of Bond Hardware, the sustainable metal production duo which specializes in jewelry, furniture, and large sculpture.
The nostalgically-minded tailor Graham Baldwin of Graham Tyler won $40,000.
Taking home $10,000 and named the recipient of the Industry City Award, Shanel Campbell of Bed on Water will receive one year of studio space located within Brooklyn’s Industry City. The NYC creative hub houses more than 550 companies spanning fashion, media, technology and production, including current fashion tenants and Elaine Gold Launch Pad 2.0 fellows ADIFF and ASHYA.
“Shanel Campbell’s philosophy of ‘repositioning fashion as art’ aligns closely with our mission here at Industry City to cultivate a bold, forward-thinking workforce,” said Kathe Kramer Chase, Director of Leasing at Industry City. “Every day, 8,500 entrepreneurs, designers, strategists, and makers connect and co-create at Industry City. We look forward to having Bed on Water be part of our exciting community.”
Rebranded as Zena, Loren Thomas and Caragh Bennet was granted $25,000. And the artful knitwear designer, Rui Zhou, received $5,000.
In total, $150,000 was awarded, including additional support from CFDA Global Ambassador Adrian Cheng, founder of K11 and CEO of New World Development, who joined the Elaine Gold Launch Pad Advisory Board.
“I’m delighted to support the continuous efforts of the CFDA and the Accessories Council to incubate the next generation of creative powers,” said Adrian Cheng. “I hope the Elaine Gold Launch Pad program will serve as an incentive for even more emerging American brands. I wish all five brands the best of luck in all of their future endeavors.”
The program has given a significant boost to the careers of several emerging fashion designers, among them Emily Adams Bode of Bode, Lucy Jones of FFORA, Ali Rose of Flint, Michigan-based Genusee, and Angela Luna of Adiff.
“We have been so proud and impressed with the talent the has come through the Elaine Gold Launch Pad. I know that Elaine would be delighted to see the success of the program,” said Karen Giberson, President of the Accessories Council. “We are proud to help support these emerging designers and businesses! We congratulate this year’s participants as they all worked very hard and we look forward to the 2020/21 applications.”
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A special thank you goes to the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti for supporting the program with an additional $100,000. In total, Bond Hardware, Graham Tyler, Bed on Water, Zena, and Rui Zhou have received $325,000 in micro awards combined with mentorship and in-kind awards through Industry City, and Camp David also located in Industry City.
