One World Trade was the setting for Tuesday night’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Design Challenge Cocktail hosted by Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg. Designers – Francisco Costa, Derek Lam, Prabal Gurung, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, Gilles Mendel, Veronica Miele Beard and Eddie Borgo among them – as well as Eva Chen, Dree Hemingway and Alexa Chung came out to support the 10 finalists for the annual celebration of the Design Challenge. As its underwriter, Fossil challenged each brand with creating a look for a pre-assigned cultural activity, which plays into the brand’s ethos to appeal to the culturally curious. Each assigned event reflected a specific cultural movement. Whether it was attending a ballet at Lincoln Center, walking the red carpet at the New York Film Festival or flying out to Nevada for Burning Man, the designers were asked to be “curiously clever” in creating a look that their model (and date on this occasion) could wear. Each 2015 Finalist presented their challenge outfit to the Selection Committee –  the results counting towards the final on Nov.2.

Prior to the big reveal, we asked the finalists what they are most curious about in the world and if they think this curiosity fuels your designs? Their answers were inspiring.

Scott Studenberg and John Targon, Baja East: “We are most curious about understanding and exploring culture, especially the Far East meets street style, but keeping it modern and infusing our DNA into the designs. We are always fueled by the idea of how our customer’s spend their days, time is so valuable to them and they want to feel comfortable and look good too.”

Matt Baldwin, Baldwin: “That’s a big one. My path in life is made up of people, places and things. I believe that experiential knowledge will build our futures.  As soon as i get bored or stagnant in my life with similar experiences I’m searching for the discoverable.  The CVFF process has progressed me as a designer, and allowed me to refine and better define the brand and the direction for the future.  I have met amazing people, been to new amazing places and pushed myself to discover and design new things along the way. Curiosity fuels design.”

Aurora James, Brother Vellies: “Curiosity has consistently taken me through the roads less traveled. Curiosity has fueled my spirit and sense of adventure. Curiosity has been what ultimately led me here, which is a really beautiful place to be. I am exactly where I need to be!”

Raul Arevalo and Brad Schmidt, CADET: “As designers, we are most curious about details and utility.  Curiosity is a cornerstone of our design process.  We may find inspiration from a design element or feature and we tirelessly research its origin and purpose. This curiosity helps CADET maintain its level of authenticity.”

Chris Gelinas, CG: “I think true innovation is rooted in curiosity, a relentless search for new questions to be answered and bringing new perspective to old ideas. I find inspiration in just about everything and I am always excited to see where my curiosity is going to lead me next.”

Becca McCharen, Chromat: “I’m most curious about how technology and fashion can empower the body. Can our garments make us jump higher, run faster and feel stronger? That curiosity of what is possible in fashion and technology fuels our designs.”

David Hart: “I’m curious about how people live and interact with each other; I’m also curious about the stories we tell each other.  I think that sharing our own experiences with each other can be one of the most rewarding things in life.”

Rio Uribe, Gypsy Sport: “As a designer I’m most curious about the future of American fashion.  I’m interested in the social/cultural divides of our country and how to dilute or destroy these lines. I am absolutely fueled by this curiosity. I often wonder if 30 years from now we will all be dressed alike or radically individual.”

Johnathan Simkhai: “I’m most curious about how I can make girls feel confident in the skin they are in. I am constantly striving to create that “A-HA” moment for my girl when she looks in the mirror. This is the essence of my drive as a designer; it is what keeps me going.”

Thaddeus O’Neil:  “I’m most curious about perception, transformation, the human body and the catalytic role of play in all this.  I think change, and the playful attitude that celebrates it, is the most beautiful thing in the world.“