Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) talent plays an integral role in the American fashion industry – and now, Genesis and the CFDA are joining forces in a new mentorship program dedicated to support innovation in design within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
The CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant, announced today, has been created to provide three rising fashion designers with invaluable education and mentorship from notable industry leaders along with funding from Genesis.
As part of the program, the three talents will be challenged to conceive a collection informed by the tension between their heritage and modernity.
“We’re honored to partner with the CFDA to champion the incredible innovation in design and fashion that’s occurring within the AAPI community,” said Rachel Espersen, executive director of brand experience, Genesis House and Studios, at Genesis Motor America. “Grounded in our three tenants of Design, Hospitality, and Technology, we look forward to witnessing the creativity of our honored guests in action and welcoming the brightest minds in the fashion industry to Genesis House.”
Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, added, “AAPI talents play a significant role in contributing to and shaping American fashion. We are excited to partner with Genesis to develop the new grant program to help herald a future generation of AAPI designers making their mark on our industry through creativity and innovation.”
Each designer will also receiving a $40,000 grant on behalf of Genesis to finance their design innovations throughout the five-month challenge. The experience will include an immersion trip to Seoul, South Korea to study the country’s heritage and meet with the fashion team at the Onjium research institute.
Top design mentors will work closely with the participants as they curate their collections, led by three executives and supported by an advisory board of fashion industry and CFDA members – who will select the designers and judge their collections in February.
Mentors and advisory board members include journalist Alina Cho, Monse designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, innovation consultant Grace Cha, actress Jodie Turner-Smith, designer and CFDA board vice chair Prabal Gurung, Rachel Espersen of Genesis, Sandra Park of Saks, Stephanie Horton of Google, and CFDA’s Steven Kolb.
The challenge will lead to a public showcase at Genesis House in New York City next February, with the custom garments on display. The winning designer will receive an additional $60,000 to develop their collection, bringing the total grant award to $100,000.
Submissions to apply for participation in the program will open later this summer.
