What do Willy Chavarria, Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Brother Vellies’ Aurora James, Joseph Altuzarra, Christopher John Rogers, Jonathan Simkhai, Thom Browne, and Collina Strada’s Hillary Taymour have in common? They, along with dozens of other formidably talented designers, have gone through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
Since its inception, the groundbreaking program, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, has identified and nurtured emerging American design talent, and helped them find continued success in the business of fashion while defining the future of American fashion.
“Little did we know that when we launched the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund that one day we would be celebrating its twentieth anniversary,” Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director, Vogue, said. “That we can is due to the many wonderful designers who have taken part over the years—and we’re looking forward to welcoming those who will be our class of 2024.”
The application process to join the class of 2024 is now open.
For the milestone occasion, the Fashion Fund is bringing back the Design Challenge, a legacy program which will be supported by the Tommy Hilfiger company. The founder and principal designer will also serve as the lead mentor to the 10 finalists. It will mark the first Design Challenge since 2019.
Additionally, 2019 Fashion Fund runner-up Danielle Frankel Hirsch is spearheading a committee of past finalists and winners to explore fundraising opportunities for the program. The committee includes Emily Adams Bode Aujla, Beckett Fogg, and Alejandra Alonso Rojas.
The 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is generously supported by Instagram, Nordstrom, Saks and Vogue.
The members of the 2024 Selection Committee are Anna Wintour, Aurora James, Eva Chen, Mark Holgate, Nicole Phelps, Paloma Elsesser, Rickie De Sole, Roopal Patel, Steven Kolb, and Thom Browne.
“The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has transformed the American fashion landscape with a significant focus on emerging designers and talent discovery,” Kolb, CFDA’s CEO, said. “Marking two decades of this groundbreaking initiative, we are looking forward to continue nurturing the future of the American fashion industry.”
The 2024 winner will receive $300,000 and the two runners-up each take home $100,000. Additionally, they will each also be paired with a mentor.
The Fashion Fund winner will be announced in mid-October at a celebratory dinner gala.
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