Mark your calendar!

The 3^rd Annual Step Up for Fashion on Madison Avenue returns on Saturday, September 19, presented by the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) in partnership with the CFDA.

The annual event benefits the CFDA Scholarship Fund, which marks its 30^th milestone year of supporting the next generation of American fashion talent.

The day-long initiative brings together CFDA members, leading American and international fashion brands, retailers, students, and the Madison Avenue community for a celebration of fashion, creativity, and philanthropy.

Step Up for Fashion will once again serve as the centerpiece of Welcome Back Saturday, the Avenue’s annual celebration of the fall season and the exceptional fashion, jewelry, accessories, and boutiques spanning from East 57th to East 86th Streets as well as adjacent side streets.

At the heart of this year’s program is the CFDA Scholarship Fund and the emerging designers it supports. Throughout Madison Avenue, participating retailers will spotlight CFDA Scholarship recipients through in-store displays featuring their sketches and designs, as well as select meet-and-greet appearances by the students.

A curated installation by Raúl Àvila featuring fashion drawings and designs created by the CFDA Scholarship winners will be on view in the lobby of The Surrey, a Corinthia Hotel. The day will begin with an intimate reception hosted by the CFDA in collaboration with Casa Tua New York and The Surrey, Step Up for Fashion’s hospitality partners.

In recognition of the CFDA’s Women in Design Scholarship, Carolina Herrera and the CFDA will transform the fashion house’s corner sidewalk at Madison Avenue and 76^th Street for a special installation, also created by Raúl Àvila.

Participating retailers will donate 10% of sales that day to the CFDA Scholarship Fund. The participating roster includes a mix of CFDA designer brands, leading international and American flagships, and a select group of new contemporary boutiques, including Akris, Alice & Olivia, Altuzarra, Anne Fontaine, Bond No. 9 New York, Cami NYC, Camilla, Carolina Herrera, Etro, Fleur de Mal, Flora on Madison, Initio Parfums Privés, Ivar Fine Jewelry, Jaded, Jenni Kayne, Kirna Zabête, L’Agence, Lafayette 148, Mackage, Marina Rinaldi, Marli, Max Mara, Michael Kors Collectiions,  Nardos, Parfums de Marly, Paul Morelli, ReBalance, Rubin & Chapelle, Sidney Garber Fine Jewelry, Tanya Taylor, Todd Snyder, Thom Browne, Ulla Johnson, Veronica Beard, Veronica De Piante, Vera Wang, Vince, Wellness+ Studio, Wolford, Yigal Azrouël, and Zadig & Voltaire.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Madison Avenue will come alive with fashionable experiences and hospitality on the sidewalks in front of participating stores, including informal presentations of fall looks and carts offering shoppers flowers, beverages, treats and surprises to enjoy.

Details of the street and in-store activations can be viewed here.

“Madison Avenue has long stood at the heart of American and global fashion and luxury, and we are deeply grateful to the Madison Avenue BID for making philanthropy part of that story through Step Up For Fashion,” said Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA. “Their support of the CFDA Scholarship Fund is an investment in the next generation of American fashion talent. As we celebrate the Fund’s 30th anniversary, this partnership is especially meaningful—it brings together the creativity, generosity, and community that have sustained the Fund for three decades and will help shape the future of our industry for years to come.”

“Madison Avenue has welcomed an extraordinary number of new fashion and jewelry businesses this year, reinforcing New York’s enduring importance as a fashion capital,” said Matthew Bauer, President of the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (BID). “Step Up For Fashion celebrates the energy and talent of our fashion community while welcoming New Yorkers and visitors back to the Avenue after the summer. By inviting shoppers to experience special programming throughout the Avenue—and by directing a portion of sales at participating stores to the CFDA Scholarship Fund—we are investing in the next generation of American designers and the design expertise and artistry that will keep New York at the forefront of fashion.”

“Few streets bring fashion, culture and hospitality together the way Madison Avenue does, and as a hotel rooted in the Upper East Side, The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel is proud to be an active part of this community,” said Pradeep Raman, Regional Vice President and Managing Director, The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel. “We are delighted to welcome the CFDA and support a day that brings people together around creativity, philanthropy, and the next generation of American design. Giving these talented emerging designers a place on Madison Avenue feels like a natural extension of our commitment to celebrating the people and ideas that make our neighborhood so special.”