Photographer June Canedo went behind the scenes to document the presentations of our 2018 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists. Take a look at their work below!

Luar

Raul Lopez cited Dante’s Purgatorio as his inspiration with an all-white collection that took the Renaissance into the 21st century. He called it “thotaissance.”Among the looks were sculptural pleated garments, deconstructed outerwear, and lux croc-embossed details.

Christian Cowan

Christian Cowan transformed a basic straw sunhat into an oversized top, turned a simple timepiece into a sleeve-full of watches, and garnished an everyday pantsuit with lilac feathers across the chest. The audience, which included Christina Aguilera and Troye Sivan, rewarded him with a standing ovation.

Matthew Adams Dolan

Citing American sportswear legend Claire McCardell as his inspiration, Dolan looked to a ”utilitarian” theme and rendered a contemporary spin on classic American workwear. Over-sized blazers, sheer underpinnings, and billowing pants came in soft pastel hues and high-shine fabrics.

Bode

Emily Adams Bode opted to show her designs during an intimate gathering at her Chinatown studio. Intricate embroideries and patchwork pieces were displayed at the house party-like brand event, to the tunes of cellist and brand muse Marc Armitano Domingo (@botticelliangels).

Jonathan Cohen

Jonathan Cohen looked to music for inspiration, from Lauryn Hill to Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, and Kate Bush. Beyond bright floral prints and feminine silhouettes, Cohen worked with a women’s embroidery studio from Mexico for pieces that were signed by the local craftswomen.

Hunting Season

Danielle Corona’s classic handbag styles were displayed in updated miniature sizes and ultra-luxe materials. Among them: lust-worthy lizard skin bags and raffia-style accessories crafted out of banana leaves from local artisans in Colombia.

Batsheva

The Square Diner in Tribeca was Batsheva Hay’s venue of choice to present her signature prairie dresses crafted in updated cuts and fabrics for the occasion. The show’s accessories: Platters of milkshakes and fries, which were enjoyed by all!

Pyer Moss

Held in Brooklyn’s Weeksville, one of America’s first free black communities, Kerby Jean-Raymond aimed to humanize the black American love story. In addition to collaborations with FUBU, Reebok, Brother Vellies, and artist Derrick Adams, we loved the gospel choir’s performance of Stevie Wonder’s Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away.

Rebecca de Ravenel

Known for her signature triple-ball earrings, Rebecca de Ravenel offered jewelry designs including a pair of chandelier-like earrings adorned with glass chili peppers. The pieces worked nicely with her frilly lace dresses and a playful candy-apple printed gingham outfit.

Scosha

Scosha Woolridge’s wax nylon friendship bracelets were shown next to fine jewelry in 14-karat gold with precious gemstones. The range was elegantly displayed on a sculptural plexi-glass mobile that hung from the ceiling of the Lower East Side gallery venue.

[photos courtesy of Scosha]