The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue announced the ten finalists for the 2009 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. For the sixth year the emerging talents have the opportunity to win a cash prize and mentorship programs from their selected industry leaders. The winner and 2 runners-up will be announced November 16. Vogue’s Editor In Chief, Anna Wintour summed up the nominees “The ten finalists we selected are a talented, diverse group, who are building healthy independent businesses in challenging times.” The Fashion Fund is one of the most coveted awards as previous winners include Alexander Wang, Rogan Gregory of Rogan, Doo-Ri Chung, Trovata and Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough.
ALABAMA CHANIN – Natalie Chanin (eco-conscious, womenswear)
ESQUIVEL SHOES – George Esquivel (shoes)
GARY GRAHAM – Gary Graham (womenswear)
HOUSE OF WARIS – Waris Ahluwalia (jewelry)
MONIQUE PEAN – Monique Péan (jewelry)
OHNE TITEL – Flora Gill and Alexa Adams (womenswear)
PATRIK ERVELL – Patrik Ervell (menswear)
SOPHIE THEALLET – Sophie Theallet (womenswear)
SPURR – Simon Spurr (menswear)
WAYNE – Wayne Lee (womenswear)
Every year I wait in anticipation to find out the designers named as winners by the CFDA and now they added a new category ‘The Popular Vote.’ Everyone can vote for their favorite designer at wwd.com, there is a list of about 100 designers to choose from and write-ins are also accepted. It doesn’t stop there each vote counts as an entry for a chance to win 2 tickets to a September 2009 NY Fashion Week show, and these days everyone is trying to get into the shows. Votes will be accepted until June 9th and the winning designer will be announced on June 15 at the CFDA Fashion Awards.
There are so many great designers to choose from but my vote(s) go for Doo.Ri, Thakoon, Proenza Schouler, Jenni Kayne, Threeasfour and a few more… Since this is a popular vote then my predicted winner is Alexander Wang because he’s just awesome and everyone is still obsessed with his designs.
Every year the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund recognizes the future of fashion with monetary awards to encourage emerging designers to pursue their goals. Last night Alexander Wangtook home the top prize of $200,000 to grow his business and a one-year mentorship from industry leaders. Runners-up were Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava and Albertus Q. Swanepoel of Albertus Quartus, both labels received $50,000 plus a business mentor. Previous labels to take the top honors were Proenza Schouler (2004), Trovata (2005), Doo.Ri (2006) and Rogan (2007).
Although Wang was an obvious favorite it was still a bit of surprise to see him win since he has already ‘emerged’ and made his mark as a prominent designer. His eponymous label is a success in almost every major retailer, his friend Erin Wasson has styled his shows and his designs have been embraced by editors, models and trendsetters; most young designers can only dream of what he has achieved. But truth be told Wang is still young, humble and it is quite promising that Wang will continue to grow his inspired and influential label with the help of his new award.
photo via style.com
