The CFDA and the Swarovski Foundation unveil a newly evolved partnership, the Re:Generation Innovation Fund, to provide critical support for early-stage creatives who have placed innovation at the core of their newly launched business ventures.
Applications for the 2025 Re:Generation Innovation Fund are now open, and a variety of future-minded early emerging individuals can apply, from design creatives and material innovators to entrepreneurs of new technologies, processes, and systems. This year’s recipient will be chosen via a competitive selection process, including completion of a digital application and interviews with the selection committee comprised of industry experts and representatives from the CFDA and the Swarovski Foundation.
The selected recipient will be announced in the spring and receives a $30,000 financial grant as well as business mentorship, connecting with mentors, resources, and the community along the way with a vision to help bring both the recipient and fashion towards a more innovative future.
At the close of the six-month mentorship journey, the recipient will be given the opportunity to share their future vision for their business through a fall 2025 showcase with the CFDA and the Swarovski Foundation.
The two organizations co-created the previous iteration of the award, the Re:Generation Innovation Scholar Award in 2021 to support undergraduate student’s futures and invest in exemplary creatives dedicated to innovation in fashion design. Since 2021, three students, including Bailey Adams (FIT), Izzy Kostrzewa (Parsons), and most recently Evren Nelson (Parsons), received scholarship awards and extensive career mentorship.
“At the CFDA, we believe that fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of fashion talent is crucial to the evolution of our industry,” said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb. “The Re:Generation Innovation Fund marks an exciting new chapter in our partnership with the Swarovski Foundation—one that goes beyond traditional support and directly empowers emerging creatives to turn their visionary ideas into tangible impact. By providing both financial resources and mentorship, we’re helping to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce, ensuring that groundbreaking concepts have the opportunity to thrive in today’s ever-evolving fashion landscape”.
“At the Swarovski Foundation, we are committed to empowering creative innovators, pushing boundaries and shaping the future of fashion,” said Swarovski Foundation Director Jakhya Rahman-Corey. “The Re:Generation Innovation Fund offers an exciting opportunity to provide meaningful support to early-stage creatives whose work exemplifies bold, forward-thinking solutions in design. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the CFDA to nurture these visionary individuals and help accelerate positive impact on the industry.”
Interested applicants can learn more about the Re:Generation Innovation Fund by reviewing the 2025 program brief here and apply online here.
The application closes Wednesday, February 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
