The CFDA and ‘Vogue’ Reveal Its List of 2022 Fashion Fund Finalists
Naming KidSuper, Head of State, and Fe Noel as contenders.
As Spring kicks into full gear, so does the annual schedule of fashion galas, prestigious awards, and organizational honors. And amongst the most lauded is the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue magazine’s presentation of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and the naming of its vetted finalists.
Established in 2003 – after the impact of September 11, 2001 – the fund was conceived as an integral way to help support emerging designers and “cultivate the next generation of American fashion talent.” The 2022 list of finalists includes 10 entrepreneurial brands that embody the future of fashion, and are named below:
Colm Dillane for KidSuper
Taofeek Abijako for Head of State
Felisha Noel for Fe Noel
Elena Velez
Jacques Agbobly for Black Boy Knits
Lauren Harwell Godfrey for Harwell Godfrey
Conley Averett for Judy Turner
Omar Salam for Sukeina
Jackson Wiederhoeft for Wiederhoeft
Pia Davis and Autumn Randolph for No Sesso
As a result of participation and selection, each finalist will receive grant funding along with personal mentorship from industry leaders, based on each designer’s needs. Additionally, this year’s contenders will be judged by a panel of committee members that include Aurora James, Eva Chen, Thom Browne, and a select few other industry leaders. Previous winners of the fund include
Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss, and Telfar.
Speaking on this year’s announcement, Condé Nast’s Chief Content Officer and Vogue’s Global Editorial Director, Anna Wintour says, “Our ten finalists are a wonderful reminder that great fashion isn’t only wildly creative, but that it comes with a conscience. I’m so proud of this year’s group; they represent the very best of what America can be — and what it can stand for.”
The CFDA’s CEO, Steven Kolb added, “This year’s group of finalists are among the best talents to bring fashion into the future. They’re diverse, daring, and redefine codes of American style.”
More information about the CFDA and this year’s selection process can be found on the organization’s website.
In other news, Saul Nash was named the winner of the 2022 International Woolmark Prize.
