Genesis and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) today announced Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch TongTong as the winner of the third annual CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant.

The program continues its mission to elevate AAPI designers by providing financial support, mentorship, and a platform to create collections that explore cultural identity through contemporary design.

Finalists Allina Liu, Kim Shui, and Zhou presented their completed collections at a private event at Genesis House in New York City on Thursday evening.

“It has been inspiring to witness the creativity and cultural perspective each designer brought to this program,” said Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America. “Over the past several months, the finalists transformed personal heritage into thoughtful collections, and we are proud to support their ongoing growth within the fashion industry.”

Each designer received $40,000 from Genesis to develop their collection, along with access to a roster of mentors and advisors across fashion, technology, and business. Over the five-month program, the designers also traveled to Seoul, Korea, for an immersive cultural experience that served as inspiration for their final collections.

“I’m deeply honored to be selected as a CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant recipient,” Zhou said. “This program affirms my belief that innovation is not about replacing heritage, but allowing it to evolve—holding tradition in a state of becoming while imagining new futures through design.”

Guests at Genesis House viewed the completed collections and heard from the finalists about the creative concepts and cultural narratives behind their designs. Zhou received an additional $60,000 to further develop the business, bringing the total grant funding to $100,000.

The collections will remain on display at Genesis House through February 22nd.

“We are proud to celebrate Allina, Kim, and Terrence, who each brought forward strong creative identities and thoughtful perspectives that define the purpose of this grant. Their work sets an inspiring tone ahead of New York Fashion Week,” said Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA.

Genesis House is a sophisticated oasis located in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District, offering experiences influenced by Korean culture and community, culinary excellence, and innovative architecture and technology. Consisting of the Showroom, Restaurant, and Cellar Stage, the lifestyle space evokes audacious design, progressive function and a distinctly Korean atmosphere that showcases the Genesis brand in harmony and balance with its surroundings.