As CFDA and Genesis House gear up for the second iteration of the AAPI Design + Innovation Grant, we caught up with three of the mentors to get the scoop on what they are looking for in the new cohort.

CFDA member Fernando Garcia of Oscar de la Renta and Monse, journalist and 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards recipient Alina Cho, and Sandra Park of Saks, provided intel on their approach to mentoring as industry leaders and gave their first piece of advice to the applicants in the running.

Fernando Garcia

What enticed you to participate as a mentor in the CFDA x Genesis House AAPI Design and Innovation Grant?

Being able to give people the comfort of knowing that they aren’t supposed to be excelling at everything at the get go. Christopher Kane, alongside Oscar de la Renta, was a mentor to me and he always made me feel looked after. If I ever had a question, either of them would answer it. It made me feel protected and focused on the mission, instead of distracted by my nerves.

As a program mentor, how do you hope to inspire and share wisdom with participating designers?

A point of view is the most important thing that people look for in a new designer. Make sure that the collection is merchandised well and balanced, but have those statement pieces that tell the world who you are so they know what rack to go to when they shop from you.

As a leader in the fashion industry, what does innovation mean to you?

Innovation means whatever product that isn’t out there is the point of what you’re doing, outside of your aesthetic and what you believe in design wise. You have to study the market and understand what is available and the price points that they are available for. If you’re innovative, you can break through that.

Alina Cho

What enticed you to participate as a mentor in the CFDA x Genesis House AAPI Design and Innovation Grant?

I’m very happy to say that this is my second year as a mentor. The reason why I wanted to do this is because a long time ago when I was a young journalist there weren’t many people who looked like me, people that I looked up to, and mentors that I looked toward. I’ve seen so much Asian-American talent in the fashion world, and I think we should be here to mentor them.

As a program mentor, how do you hope to inspire and share wisdom with participating designers?

Don’t give up. Never, never give up. I always say no is the first answer on the way to yes. So, keep going, stay with it. If you believe in what you’re doing, you’re on the right track and you’ll get there in time.

As a leader in the fashion industry, what does innovation mean to you?

Originality. We’re all inspired by what came before, but how do you make it different? How do you make it original and set yourself apart? For me, when I’m looking at the landscape of designers in this program, I’m asking myself: is this derivative or is this something that I haven’t seen before? That’s what is going to excite me.

Sandra Park

What enticed you to participate as a mentor in the CFDA x Genesis House AAPI Design and Innovation Grant?

The opportunity to support the AAPI community through the CFDA x Genesis House AAPI Design and Innovation Grant was irresistible. This program is a landmark initiative, being the first of its kind for AAPI designers. It is so important to nurture emerging talent and provide them with the resources and guidance they need to succeed. This grant offers a unique platform to do just that and I am excited to be part of this transformative journey.

As a program mentor, how do you hope to inspire and share wisdom with participating designers?

As a mentor, my goal is to empower participating designers by sharing my 25 years experience in the fashion industry and provide them with practical insights and strategic advice.

As a leader in the fashion industry, what does innovation mean to you?

Innovation in the fashion industry is more than just following the trends – it’s about redefining the way we think about fashion, from sustainability practices to technology integration. For me, innovation means embracing change and continuously seeking ways to improve the entire fashion ecosystem. It means experimenting with new materials and techniques to minimize environmental impact, and exploring creative ways to engage with customers. Ultimately, it’s about driving progress that benefits both the industry and society at large.