Under the warm glow of candlelight, the future of American fashion took center stage in NYC. On Tuesday evening, the CFDA and Veronica Beard gathered our fashion family for an intimate dinner at Frevo celebrating creativity, mentorship, and the next generation of design talent, marking the renewal of the Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship.
Hosted by Veronica Beard co-founders Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard alongside CFDA CEO and President Steven Kolb, the evening brought together industry leaders and friends of the house, including Ego Nwodim, Iris Apatow, and Tonne Goodman.
The dinner marked the official announcement of a renewed three-year partnership between Veronica Beard and the CFDA Foundation, a collaboration that represents the only multi-year initiative of VB Gives Back, the brand’s philanthropic arm.
“At its core, this partnership is about mentorship and connection,” said Veronica Miele Beard. “Being able to support students at such a pivotal moment in their careers—and learn from their creativity and point of view in return—is incredibly meaningful to us.” Veronica Swanson Beard added, “We’re proud to expand our commitment through our first-ever multi-year VB Gives Back partnership and to help shape what’s next for American fashion.”
At the heart of the partnership is the Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship, which awards four undergraduate junior design students $50,000 each toward tuition and educational expenses, along with a paid summer internship at Veronica Beard’s New York City headquarters.
The announcement comes during a milestone year for the CFDA Foundation, as 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the CFDA Scholarship Fund. Since its founding in 1996, the fund has provided critical support to emerging designers, with past recipients including Michelle Ochs, Peter Som, Chris Benz, Jack McCollough, Jacques Agbobly, and Peter Do. Today, the CFDA Foundation partners with more than 40 leading fashion schools nationwide, with an ongoing focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation.
“Veronica Beard’s multi-year commitment is a meaningful investment in the future of American fashion,” said Kolb. “As we celebrate three decades of the CFDA Scholarship Fund, this partnership reflects our shared mission to expand opportunity and support the designers who will define the next chapter of our industry.”
As the evening drew to a close, the message was clear: fashion’s future is built not only through creativity, but through community.
