Fashion is family, and on Wednesday evening’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund cocktail at the American Bar at Nordstrom’s New York City flagship, the sentiment was crystal clear. Scanning the room, one felt just how effectively the program has led to a supportive and nurturing community of talent. Case in point, the presence of past finalists such as Abrima Erwiah, Aurora James, Batsheva Hay, Hillary Taymour, Jonathan Cohen, Alejandra Alonso Rojas, Christian Cowan, and Gigi Burris, who all came out to celebrate this year’s crop of Fashion Fund talents.
It’s a point CFDA CEO Steven Kolb underscored.
“If you are currently or were in the Fashion Fund, raise your hand high,” he said, scanning the room as many hands went up. “That’s a lot of designers, a family of designers. I know family is sometimes overused… but I know we feel that way, having birthed a new generation of talent. We do that with the support of the industry…and Nordstrom at this point is family as well. You have been with us in the program almost since the beginning. We appreciate the support you give. It’s not just you writing a check but in the way you are activating and supporting the designers with this pop up.”
Speaking of pop up, the finalists— Jacques Agbobly of Black Boy Knits, Elena Velez, Fe Noel’s Felisha Noel, Harwell Godfrey’s Lauren Harwell Godfrey, Head of State’s Taofeek Abijako, Judy Turner’s Conley Averett, KidSuper’s Colm Dillane, No Sesso’s Pia Davis and Autumn Randolph, Sukeina’s Omar Salam, and Wiederhoeft’s Jackson Wiederhoeft – brimmed with excitement as they scanned the installation featuring their work.
Paloma Elsesser, Brandon Blackwood, Micaela Erlanger, Patrick Robinson, Stan Herman, and Jeffrey Banks also joined to support this generation of emerging American fashion talent.
“Thanks for coming, thanks everyone for being here,” Nordstrom EVP/GMM of Apparel & Designer Sam Lobban said, congratulating the 10 finalists. “[The installation] will be here until Sunday, so if you didn’t have enough today, please come back. We will always welcome you.”
