The fashion flock came out in full force Wednesday night to celebrate the 10 finalists for the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, following their first designer presentations to the judges that morning.
Held at Jeans on Lafayette Street in New York. the cocktail party was attended by such designers and fashion executives as Ashlynn Park (last year’s winner), Batsheva Hay, Bach Mai, Christian Cowan, Christopher John Rogers, Dao-Yi Chow, Denise Magid, Eva Chen, Grace Ling, Georgina Chapman, Gigi Burris, Hillary Taymour, Jonathan Cohen, Jonathan Simkhai, Henry Zankov, Kim Shui, Kate Barton, Michelle Ochs, Paloma Elsesser, Rachel Scott, Tanner Richie, Wes Gordon and Dynasty and Soull Ogun.
Chloe Malle, head of editorial content at U.S. Vogue, kicked off the festivities, telling the crowd that she was honored to be one of the judges for the first time. She said the 10 finalists are such “an exceptionally talented group,” working in categories from knits to loafers, jewelry to panne skirts. “It makes me proud to be part of it and that they are flying the flag for American fashion,” said Malle.
Chloe Malle, Steven Kolb, Yumi Shin, Thom Browne, Aurora James and Eva Chen.
Zach Hilty/BFA.com
The 10 finalists are Aisling Camps, Amir Taghi, Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch Tongtong, Emily Dawn Long, Jamie Haller, Julia Ferentinos of Juju Vera, Zane Li of Lll, George Inaki of Milamore, Claire Sullivan of Miss Claire Sullivan and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen.
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner will be revealed on Oct. 20 at a celebratory in New York. The winner will receive $300,000 and the two runners-up will each receive $100,000.
Whalen, who’s been in business three-and-a-half years, told WWD of her presentation earlier in the day: “I thought I did a terrible job, but everyone told me I did great.” She said she’s excited to be one of the finalists. “It’s so cool they believe in what I’m doing,” said the designer, who started her business in 2022, where each piece is draped, patterned and sewn by hand in her New York studio.
Haller, who hails from Southern California, said she gave “a very quick presentation.” She said she shared information about herself and her six-year-old brand, which makes footwear, ready-to-wear and denim. “I’ve been a fan of what the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund does and it would be a very supportive step in growing the brand. Mentoring is very appealing. Having a mentor would be very important as we leap to the next level,” said Haller.
Zhou of Bad Binch Tongtong, who was the winner of the third annual CFDA/Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant last February, spoke about his presentation. “It was fun. It was the first time seeing all the judges.” He said he showed past garments that represented his vision “and explained who we are and what our brand is about.” Zhou founded his New York-based fashion and art brand in 2021 and focuses exclusively on direct-to-consumer, selling from its website. The brand creates avant-garde silhouettes, surreal aesthetics and theatrical runway moments.
Thom Browne, chairman of the CFDA, said, “It’s so important to support the new talent…and it’s nice to be able to celebrate them.”
In his remarks, Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA, noted that they’ve added four new judges this year — Malle, Yumi Shin, Christopher John Rogers and Denise Magid, to a group that includes himself, Aurora James, Nicole Phelps, Paloma Elsesser and Browne. Kolb thanked Nordstrom for hosting the party, and said the retailer remains “one of our longest and most generous partners and founders.”
Kolb also thanked the fashion crowd for being there, acknowledging that it was a big night with Game Four of the Knicks-Spurs NBA finals.
“New York is rooting for these exceptional athletes to win, and we’re rooting for exceptional fashion designers to win. Because when young designers win, American fashion wins. And that’s what really CFDA stands for and what the CFDA Fashion Fund has been doing for 23 years. So the designers in the program should know we’re rooting for you, and we hope the best for you. So enjoy the ride, enjoy the long summer of studio visits, and just get to know each other and build a community,” said Kolb.
Nordstrom’s Shin said the retailer has been supporting the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund program for 20 years “with the belief that investing in the next generation of designers is one of the most important things that we can do.”
Julie Gilhart, founder and president of Gilhart & Co., a consulting firm, summed it up. “Right now there’s never been more of a need for financial support. It’s so expensive to run a brand. You need money with no strings attached and a program which can lead into mentorships.”
