CFDA and Vogue revamp fashion fund format

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue have revamped the format for the 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The new format is an evolution of the 2020 Common Thread initiative, which provided financial relief for struggling American designers. The 2021 Fashion Fund will see some level of support provided to all designer finalists.

This year’s selection committee includes CFDA chairman Tom Ford, Brother Vellies and 15 Percent Pledge founder Aurora James, and Sam Lobban, senior vice president of designer and new concepts at Nordstrom. Returning judges include Vogue editor-in-chief and Condé Nast artistic director Anna Wintour, Vogue.com editor Chioma Nnadi, and Vogue fashion news director Mark Holgate, CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, Instagram director of fashion partnerships Eva Chen, Saks Fifth Avenue vice president and fashion director Roopal Patel, and model and activist Paloma Elsesser.

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund opens applications on March 10. In the past, financial support was only given to the top three finalists, but in the wake of a time of need after designers businesses took a severe blow due to global lockdowns, the Fund has been revamped to serve designers in what Vogue and the CFDA felt was the best format possible by providing all finalists with some form of mentorship and monetary support.

“The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund began in a time of crisis, and given where we are now it’s important that we continue to give back like never before,” said Wintour in a statement. “After last year’s A Common Thread initiative, we decided to rethink our seventeen-year fund to serve our designers in the best and strongest way possible.”

“Designers face enormous challenges and need significant support to navigate this time,” said Kolb in a statement. “We strongly felt that it was the right moment to evolve the Fashion Fund, provide funding and guidance to all ten finalists, and give them an equal opportunity to survive and ultimately thrive in our industry.”

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund began in 2003. It has been the springboard for many notable brands including Proenza Schouler, Sophie Théallet, and Billy Reid.

photo; courtesy of CFDA