Proenza Schouler Designers Join Selection Committee
July 14, 2011—The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue are pleased to announce the ten Finalists for the eighth-annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund initiative, which provides financial support and business mentorship for emerging designers. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is generously sponsored by partner J.CREW, underwriters American Express, Appleman Foundation, Barneys New York, Carolina Herrera, Coach, Liz Claiborne Inc, Lord & Taylor, L’Oréal Paris, Nordstrom, Starbucks, thecorner.com-YOOX Group, Theory, Tiffany & Co., Tommy Hilfiger, and Vogue.
The 2011 finalists are:
A.A. – Antonio Azzuolo
ALTUZARRA – Joseph Altuzarra
CARLOS CAMPOS – Carlos Campos
CREATURES OF THE WIND – Shane Gabier & Chris Peters
CUSHNIE ET OCHS – Michelle Ochs & Carly Cushnie
FINN JEWELRY – Soraya Silchenstedt
FENTON / FALLON – Dana Lorenz
OHNE TITEL – Alexa Adams & Flora Gill
PAMELA LOVE JEWELRY – Pamela Love
SUNO – Max Osterweis & Erin Beatty
At the end of July, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Selection Committee will meet with each Finalist to review their current collections and to conduct in-depth interviews. Subsequently, Committee members will make site visits to the design studio of each Finalist. As part of the judging process, this year’s Finalists will be asked to participate in a special design project underwritten by L’oréal Paris. The designers’ one-of-a-kind looks will be unveiled in October. Additionally, Frederic Fekkai will underwrite a fashion show featuring several looks by each Finalist, which will take place at Chateau Marmont in Los Angles in October.
The winner(s) will be announced in New York City on November 14 at a gala dinner.
Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour says, “The demands on designers seem to grow greater and greater by the minute, so the aim of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, to nurture and support America’s emerging fashion talents, has become more important than ever. I very much look forward to seeing what they have to offer—and how they will contribute to the future of American fashion.”
CFDA Executive Director Steven Kolb says, “This year’s 10 finalists show a depth of creativity and talent that is inspiring to the industry as a whole. The designers’ compelling portfolios clearly demonstrate that future of American fashion is expansive and bright. CFDA, Vogue, and all of our generous sponsors are honored to acknowledge this new and talented group.”
New to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Selection Committee are designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, winners of the inaugural prize from the CVFF back in 2004. The members of the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Selection Committee are:
Lazaro Hernandez, Co-Founder and Designer, PROENZA SCHOULER
Mark Holgate, Fashion News Director, VOGUE
Jeffrey Kalinsky, President, JEFFREY and Executive Vice President, NORDSTROM
Steven Kolb, Executive Director, CFDA
Reed Krakoff, President, Executive Creative Director, COACH
Jenna Lyons, Executive Creative Director, J.CREW
Jack McCollough, Co-Founder and Designer, PROENZA SCHOULER
Andrew Rosen, President and Founder, THEORY
Diane von Furstenberg, President, CFDA
Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief, VOGUE
The members of the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Business Advisory Committee are:
Harlan Bratcher, Chief Executive, A X ARMANI EXCHANGE
Jessica Igoe, VP Global Sponsorships and Events Marketing, AMERICAN EXPRESS
David N. Roberts, Senior Managing Director, ANGELO GORDON & CO.
Christine Beauchamp, President, ANN TAYLOR
Daniella Vitale, EVP, Chief Merchant, BARNEYS NEW YORK
Tom Murry, President & CEO, CALVIN KLEIN INC.
Caroline Brown, President, CAROLINA HERRERA
Paula Sutter, President, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
Brendan Hoffman, Chairman & CEO, LORD & TAYLOR
Andrew Rosen, President & COO, THEORY LLC.
Michael Kowalski, Chairman & CEO, TIFFANY & CO.
Federico Marchetti, Founder & CEO, YOOX GROUP
ABOUT THE CFDA/VOGUE FASHION FUND:
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was established to help emerging American design talent find continued success in the business of fashion. It is expected that the awards (in 2010, raised to $300,000 for the winner and $100,000 each to two runners-up) will be used to further develop each designer’s business in such areas as marketing, public relations, production and sales. In addition to the cash prizes, the award also includes mentorship from an esteemed group of industry professionals whose expertise is tailored to the designers’ needs and future goals. Past mentors include Howard Socol, Rose Marie Bravo, Millard “Mickey” Drexler, Mark Lee and Domenico de Sole.
Since its inception in 2003, the program has granted $2.3 million to twenty-one design companies, including winners Billy Reid, Alexander Wang, Doo.Ri, Proenza Schouler, Rogan, Sophie Theallet, Trovata, and runners-up Eddie Borgo, Prabal Gurung, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Albertus Swanepoel, Derek Lam, Monique Péan, Patrik Ervell, Philip Crangi, Rodarte, Thakoon, Thom Browne, and Vena Cava.
In 2007, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund created a separate Business Advisory Committee to review the applications of the ten CVFF Finalists (independently of the Selection Committee) with the intent of providing a more focused business perspective and targeted feedback on the designers’ future potential in the business. The Business Advisory Committee will also be available to the seven finalists (who are not chosen as a winner / runner-up) as an on-going resource for mentoring, questions & answers and guidance.