The fourth edition of the annual CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant is here!

The program, which was created to uplift and empower the next generation of AAPI voices in American fashion, has its new designer co-hort for the 2026-2027 edition.

The designers are Azeeza Khan of Azeeza, Saber Ahmed of Glass Cypress, and Shao Yang of SHAO New York. Each will receive $60,000 in funding from Genesis House to support the development of their design challenge and the growth of their business, as well as access to mentorship and guidance from a cross-disciplinary advisory board spanning fashion, retail, media and business.

This year’s program expands its investment in emerging talent by awarding equal grant funding and prize support to all three selected designers. Rooted in the belief that creativity thrives through community, the new model reflects Genesis House and the CFDA’s shared commitment to fostering collaboration, cultural exchange and long-term creative development in place of traditional competition structures.

“At Genesis, we are untethered from legacy and believe innovation is fueled by the freedom to explore bold ideas,” said Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America. “Azeeza, Saber and Shao each bring a distinct creative vision to this year’s program, and we’re investing in their growth while providing access to mentorship, resources and experiences to help bring their visions to life. As the program enters its fourth year, we look forward to seeing how each designer will break new ground in the world of fashion and design.”

The designers will receive guidance from industry experts throughout the duration of the program, assisting them in honing their creative vision and providing business guidance. The 2026-2027 mentors and advisors include Steven Kolb (CEO and President, CFDA); Sara Kozlowski (SVP, Sustainability and Program Strategies, CFDA); Jodie Chan (Vice President, Marketing & Communications – Americas, Bottega Veneta); Eva Chen (VP of Fashion, Meta); Wen Zhou (CEO and President, 3.1 Phillip Lim); Thakoon Panichgul (Designer and Founder, Thakoon); Gena Smith (Chief Human Resources Officer, J.Crew); Caroline Maguire (Senior Fashion Director, Shopbop); and Jian DeLeon (Men’s Fashion Director, Nordstrom).

This year, the program will explore the theme “Second Nature,” rooted in the idea that heritage is not locked in the past, but continues to inform how designers create with both instinct and intent. Throughout the program, designers will be invited to explore the guiding question: What happens when innovation begins with a cultural story?

As part of the program, Azeeza, Saber and Shao will travel to Seoul, South Korea, for an immersive cultural experience intended to help shape and inspire their collections through exposure to Korean design and craftsmanship. The program will culminate during AAPI Heritage Month in May 2027, when the designers will unveil their final collections at Genesis House in New York City.

Azeeza Khan of Azeeza

Azeeza Khan is the founder and creative director of Azeeza, a Chicago-based womenswear label known for its vibrant hand-dyed silks, modern feminine silhouettes and commitment to ethical sourcing and size inclusivity. Her designs, carried at iconic retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Kith, have been worn by cultural icons including Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, and she was named Nike and CB2’s first South Asian Design Collaborator, and leads several high-profile brand collaborations across fashion, retail and design.

Saber Ahmed of Glass Cypress

Saber Ahmed is the Houston-based co-founder and creative director of Glass Cypress, an independent fashion label recognized for its distinctive approach to craftsmanship, storytelling and contemporary design. Drawing on his Bangladeshi heritage and close collaboration with artisans, Ahmed has built Glass Cypress into an internationally distributed brand with collections presented in Paris and retail partnerships spanning the United States, Europe and Asia.

Shao Yang of SHAO New York

Shao Yang is the founder and creative director of SHAO New York, a fashion label that explores the intersection of Asian heritage, New York culture and precision tailoring. A Parsons-trained designer and founder of bespoke tailoring house The Tailory New York, Yang has earned recognition for collections that blend technical rigor with bold storytelling, with designs worn by notable figures including Ronny Chieng, Daniel Dae Kim and Arden Cho.