CFDA names 10 finalists for 2026 fund

The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue on June 2 unveiled the 10 finalists for the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the industry program for emerging American designers. The class leans heavily toward womenswear, with two jewelry brands rounding out the list, according to Vogue and the CFDA. The 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 Lii, George Inaki of Milamore, Claire Sullivan of Miss Claire Sullivan, and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen. The winner will receive $300,000, while two runners-up will each receive $100,000, the CFDA said. ### Which brands made this year’s final 10? The June 2 list spans eight apparel designers and two jewelry names. Milamore, designed by George Inaki, and Juju Vera, designed by Julia Ferentinos, are the two jewelry brands in the group; the remaining finalists are womenswear-focused labels, as Vogue reported and the CFDA roster indicates. Terrence Zhou’s Bad Binch TONGTONG joins Amir Taghi, Aisling Camps, Emily Dawn Long, Jamie Haller, Zane Li’s Lii, Claire Sullivan’s Miss Claire Sullivan, and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen in the class. (cfda.com) The finalists were chosen after the Fashion Fund Selection Committee met at CFDA offices on Monday, the organization said. ### What is the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund meant to do? (cfda.com) The CFDA says the Fashion Fund was established after the Sept. 11 attacks to help emerging designers and cultivate the next generation of American fashion talent. Since the program began, 200 designers have received mentoring and more than $8 million in total support, according to the CFDA’s program page. Steven Kolb, CFDA chief executive and president, said the 2026 finalists “reflect the depth of talent and creativity emerging across American fashion today.” Nicole Phelps, global director of Vogue Runway and Vogue Business, said the group showed the “diversity, resourcefulness, and deep creativity” of American talent. (cfda.com) ### Who is judging the 2026 class? The 2026 selection committee includes Aurora James of Brother Vellies and Fifteen Percent Pledge, Chloe Malle and Nicole Phelps of Vogue, Christopher John Rogers, Denise Magid of Bloomingdale’s, Eva Chen of Instagram, Paloma Elsesser, Thom Browne, and Yumi Shin of Nordstrom, the CFDA said. (cfda.com) The June 2 announcement also said Bloomingdale’s, Humane World for Animals, Instagram, Nordstrom and Vogue are supporting this year’s fund. (cfda.com) Humane World for Animals will serve as the Design Challenge partner for a Material Innovation Challenge centered on bio-based textiles, according to the CFDA. ### What happens next in the competition? The first designer presentations to judges are scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, followed by a cocktail event hosted by Vogue and the CFDA in partnership with Nordstrom that evening, the CFDA said. (cfda.com) The Fashion Fund winner will be announced on October 20, 2026, at a dinner gala in New York City. Past finalists and winners listed by the CFDA include Proenza Schouler, Joseph Altuzarra, Christopher John Rogers, Telfar, Thom Browne, Sandy Liang and Wiederhoeft. (cfda.com)