CFDA launches interim member tier

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has launched a new interim membership tier. Interim Members are invited by the CFDA to join the organization for a limited time of up to three years. The new tier was created as a pipeline to full CFDA membership.

The tier was designed for designers who have been in business for at least one but no more than five years and have achieved a noteworthy level of recognition and success in the fashion industry. The CFDA did this recognizing young brands have limited financial means, as such they are waiving interim membership dues for the first year and significantly reducing them for the next two and three years. In addition to receiving most of the benefits of CFDA membership, interim members will be offered business development guidance and support, as well as individual mentoring and industry introductions.

“There is a vast pool of young talent that is contributing to the creative conversation in American fashion,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, in a statement. “Often, these designers are underrepresented and underfunded, and they are challenged to fulfill their brands’ potential because they lack institutional support. By opening CFDA’s resources and network to the Interim members, we are embracing this creative class and advancing their opportunity for success.

Interim members won’t have voting rights, but will be invited to membership meetings. They also can’t serve on the CFDA. The 22 designers invited to the inaugural interim membership tier include Kim Bentz, Melissa Bentz, Aisling Camps, Patrick Cupid, Patrick Henry, Emma Gage, Snow Xue Gao, Lauren Harwell Godfrey, Raul Lopez, Bach Mai, Keeyahri, Sami Miro, Nicole Muhammad, Christian Juul Nielson, Shawn Pean, Teddy Von Ranson, T.A. Rudder, Michael Ward, Marissa Wilson, Long Xu, and Henry Zankov.