The 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is officially in full gear after this week’s kickoff tradition—the first presentation in front of the judges.

Nerves were high, but excitement was even higher as the designers gathered at the Vogue offices with a rack of their best clothes and brand muses to make solid first impressions.

In a surprise moment, Tommy Hilfiger, lead mentor for the program, closed the day on an even higher note, delivering the finalists the theme for their Design Challenge: stripes and stars, a fitting and classic theme for the rising crop of American designers. The last Design Challenge was in 2019, and the program’s 20th milestone occasion was the perfect time to revive it.

In between presentations, CFDA did a round of speed dating backstage to get to know the designers a little better and find out who exactly their muses were.

Wiederhoeft

Name

Jackson Wiederhoeft

Hometown

Houston, Texas

Zodiac Sign

Capricorn

What are you listening to lately?

The sounds of birds chirping.

What are you most excited for?

I’m excited to just keep doing what we do, have fun and keep serving drama club.

A couple of words that describe your brand.

Cryptic, yet relatable. A sense of modern nostalgia.

Sebastien Ami

Name

Sebastien and Marianne Amisial

Hometown

SA: Silver Spring, Md.

MA: Ketchum, Idaho

Zodiac Sign

SA: Pisces

MA: Gemini

What are you listening to lately?

SA: A lot of Kendrick Lamar. “Not Like Us” has been the L.A. anthem right now. I also listen to a lot of Hania Rani, she’s one of my favorite musicians and composers.

MA: Shaboozey

What are you most excited for?

SA: The opportunity itself is incredible and allows for us to show what we’re capable of doing, and to be able to speak to who we are, not only as designers, but as people.

MA: Just being around really inspiring people, it’s so wonderful to be around creatives.

Talk to us about your muse.

SA: We met him four years ago. He is a magical human being, and not only a model, but a photographer. Our whole vision as a brand is to create clothing for the modern day artist.

MA: The mutual attraction was there. As a designer, when you see someone who embodies your brand and ethos, it’s magic. Everything about him is us.

Presley Oldham

Hometown

Dallas, Texas

Zodiac Sign

Sagittarius

What are you listening to lately?

“Believe” by Cher

What are you most excited for?

To get to know the fellow designers and judges.

A couple of words that describe your brand.

Elegant, opulent, natural.

Talk to us about your muse.

I’ve known Roseline Lawrence since I was 14 years old. We grew up together, and now she’s a beautiful successful model. Our friendship represents my brand and I’m excited to have her bring the pieces to life.

Kate Barton

Hometown

Kansas City, Mo.

Zodiac Sign

Aries

What are you listening to lately?

Billie Eilish

What are you most excited for?

I’m excited for the opportunity to get to know the judges, who are industry leaders, and the other finalists.

A couple of words that describe your brand.

Singular aesthetic, innovative and craftsmanship.

Talk to us about your muse.

My muse is the beautiful Kat Graham. She is someone that embodies the word muse and has been a part of the brand since the beginning. She’s an independent, strong, beautiful woman and I’m so lucky to have her here with me today.

PHIPPS

Name

Spencer Phipps

Hometown

San Francisco, Calif.

Zodiac Sign

Libra

What are you listening to lately?

I haven’t listened to music in three weeks. I know, it’s really weird.

What are you most excited for?

I’m shocked it’s been 20 years since the first Fund, and I remember being at Parsons when it started. I’m excited to be part of this institution of young talent.

A couple of words that describe your brand.

Rugged American outdoors.

Talk to us about your muse.

Rufat Sembinov is my good friend here in New York. He is a Kazakhstani cowboy, weightlifter, elite fighter, and just generally a crazy person who looks like a video game character. I know him from sports training, and I think he represents the modern American dream. He came here, built himself a business, and is overall a really great guy.

Jane Wade

Hometown

Portland, Ore.

Zodiac Sign

Gemini

What are you listening to lately?

Autumn.

What are you most excited for?

I’m excited to connect with my other finalists and other designers in the industry.

A couple of words that describe your brand.

Utilitarian, modular and officewear.

Talk to us about your muse.

Alicia Canellas is a perfect example of our muse. She’s an office girly on the go. She’s wearing her Salomon’s to work and packed her heels in her bag. Our girl is a commuter, she’s sexy and polished.

5000

Name

Taylor Thompson

Hometown

Oakland, Calif.

Zodiac Sign

Capricorn

What are you listening to lately?

Anita Baker

What are you most excited for?

To be a part of it all is interesting. I want to represent the Bay Area, that I’m from the there and working out of there.

A couple of words that describe your brand.

Jazz, free flowing, organized chaos.

Talk to us about your muse.

Me and Alioune Fall worked on a few projects together. He was in my portfolio submission for the Fund, and we worked on a shoot together across time zones. We share the “make it work” mentality.

L’Enchanteur

Name

Soull Ogun
Dynasty Ogun

Hometown

Brooklyn, NY

Zodiac Sign

DO: Leo sun, Scorpio moon, Libra rising

SO: Leo sun, Scorpio moon, Capricorn rising

What are you listening to lately?

DO: “New Attitude” by Patti Labelle

What are you most excited for?

DO: It’s 20 years in the making. I’m excited by included with this great team of artists an to take off.

SO: This opportunity is amazing because it’s right on time for us. It couldn’t have been at any other time but right now, and to have it coincide with the 20th anniversary is very special. I’m a big numerology person so I think all of that is for the stars.

A couple of words that describe your brand.

SO: Dashing, daring and bold

DO: Mystic and avant-garde

Talk to us about your muse.

DO: The who is Mickalene Thomas. The why is because she embodies L’Enchanteur. Mickalane is an amazing energy and it represents everything that we are. Mickalane is avant-garde from the personality to their work. The way she is inside and out, the way sh cares about the people. That’s what we are.

Connor McKnight

Hometown

Washington, D.C.

Zodiac Sign

Libra

What are you listening to lately?

“Les fluers” by Minnie Riperton

What are you most excited for?

It’s something that you watch from afar for so long, and to finally be a part of it is amazing.

A couple of words that describe your brand.

The mundane and the every day. I like to reimagine and redefine classic wardrobe staples.

Talk to us about your muse.

Idris Salaam was my first model ever. We shot upstate in 2020 during the pandemic after making a collection in my bedroom. Looking back at it, it was kind of like a dream. It’s amazing having him here today because it’s where I started.

Grace Ling

Hometown

Singapore

Zodiac Sign

Capricorn

What are you listening to lately?

Tchaikovsky

A couple of words that describe your brand.

Eccentric elegance. Intelligent femininity. Witty. Formality and sensuality.

Talk to us about your muse.

Aker Ajak is a statue. This look is a tree branch that wraps around the body. It’s almost shapeshifting. I wanted this look to be out of this world and she looks sublime.