COVID-19 continues to hit the fashion eco-system at all levels, and the designers, retailers, factories, and more struggle to survive.

Today, the CFDA and Vogue announced the second round grant recipients of A Common Thread, the fundraising initiative to raise awareness and needed funds for those in the American fashion community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of $2,015,000 will be distributed in the second round.

Of that, $1,015,000 will be going to 36 companies, including 18 fashion/accessories brands, 13 retailers, three factories, and two other businesses/organizations.

CFDA and Vogue are also making a $1 million contribution to ICON 360, a new non-profit launched by Brandice Daniel of Harlem’s Fashion Row to provide forgivable relief to designers of color who are pivoting their businesses during the coronavirus pandemic and need funding to scale.

Separately, the CFDA’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI), a program created in collaboration with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and supported by industry leaders including Andrew Rosen and Ralph Lauren, is supporting A Common Thread by donating $500,000 for New York City-based fashion manufacturers and their workforce.

The CFDA and NYCEDC pivoted a portion of the FMI budget to A Common Thread for microgrant investments to help cover business disruption expenses that manufacturers incurred while being closed over the last several months. The application process for NYC manufacturers is now open.

With the contribution from the FMI, A Common Thread has now raised a total of $4.9 million.

“The global pandemic continues to impact the entire fashion industry, which needs our support now more than ever,” said Tom Ford, Chairman of the CFDA. “This second round of funding allows us to help additional brands, retailers, and factories through the severe challenges of this time. We are also incredibly pleased to be able to provide funding to the new ICON 360 grant program from Harlem’s Fashion Row, which supports designers of color and reinforces CFDA’s important work to create systemic change within our industry.”

“We are so grateful for all of the generous donations that have allowed us to distribute a second round of grants to businesses in need,” said Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, U.S. Artistic Director and Global Content Advisor, Condé Nast. “It is more vital than ever that the American fashion community come together to support one another with meaningful actions, and we’re thrilled to be able to support ICON 360, which does tremendous work to benefit designers of color that are navigating business challenges due to COVID-19.”

“I’m incredibly grateful for the generous donation from A Common Thread, the CFDA, and Vogue,” said Brandice Daniel, Founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row. “This donation will allow designers of color the relief to expand their vision for business during this critical time in fashion and history.”

“The global pandemic continues to impact the entire fashion industry, which needs our support now more than ever,” said Tom Ford, Chairman of the CFDA. “This second round of funding allows us to help additional brands, retailers, and factories through the severe challenges of this time. We are also incredibly pleased to be able to provide funding to the new ICON 360 grant program from Harlem’s Fashion Row, which supports designers of color and reinforces CFDA’s important work to create systemic change within our industry.”

View the full list of second round grant recipients below:

Fashion/Accessories Brands 

Adam Lippes LLC; ADIFF; Alabama Chanin; Alejandra Alonso Rojas – Alonso USA Fashion LLC; Chromat; Cushnie; Edie Parker; Fe Noel Inc.; merlette international inc; Morgan Lane; Naeem Khan LTD.; Rebecca de Ravenel LLC; Reem Bridals LLC; Rhode; Studio One Eighty Nine; Tabitha Simmons Accessories, Inc.; The Great Eros; Victor Glemaud

Retailers

betty lin; ELKEL; En Avance; Hero Shop; Indigenous Designs Corporation; Pink Lagoon, Inc.; Silver Lining Opticians; Sunroom; Tenet; The Parliament on 3rd St; Winkler Sisters, LLC dba Penny; Zabayon, Inc.; Z-life

Factories

Bear Fiber, Inc.; Circular Systems SPC; Final Finish, Inc.

Other

Fabscrap; Fashion For All Foundation

Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA, added, “Round two furthers our investment in helping fashion companies recover from the impact of COVID-19 while prioritizing the needs of designers of color with a $1 million commitment. As we continue to serve the fashion eco-system, we are now accepting applications from New York-based factories with an additional $500,000 in Covid-19 relief grants.”

Get in touch with Harlem’s Fashion Row here.