The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue have announced the ten finalists for the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
The ten finalists are: Ashlynn Park, Ashlyn; Julian Louie, Aubero; Bach Mai; Bernard James; Ashley Moubayed, Don’t Let Disco; Gabe Gordon and Timothy Gibbons, Gabe Gordon; Stephanie Suberville, Heirlome; Jamie Okuma; Meruert Planul-Tolegen, Meruert Tolegen; and Peter Do.
The winner will be announced on November 18 at a celebration dinner event in New York.
“For over 20 years, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has provided voice to our country’s budding designers, and I can’t wait to hear what this year’s finalists have to say. It’s not easy to be an independent label today, so their talent, perseverance, and dedication to American design are constantly inspiring,” said Mark Holgate, global network lead and U.S. fashion features director for Vogue.
“Now in its third decade, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has turned American fashion into a diverse and inclusive business, and this year’s designers highlight this point. “We look forward to seeing how the finalists will make their mark on American fashion,” said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb.
The winner will be awarded $300,000, with the two runners-up each receiving $100,000. All finalists will receive business mentorship.
The 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is sponsored by Gap Inc., Instagram, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tommy Hilfiger, and Vogue.
The 2025 selection committee includes Anna Wintour of Vogue, Aurora James of Brother Vellies and Fifteen Percent Pledge, Eva Chen of Instagram, Mark Holgate of Vogue, Nicole Phelps of Vogue, Paloma Elsesser of model, Rickie De Sole of Nordstrom, Roopal Patel of Saks Fifth Avenue, Steven Kolb of the CFDA, Thom Browne of Thom Browne New York and chairman of the CFDA, and Zac Posen of Gap.
For the third consecutive year, Nordstrom will invite the ten finalists to compete in the Nordstrom Secure the Space Challenge as part of the Fashion Fund season. One winner will be chosen to have their collection carried at select Nordstrom shops for the coming season. Last year’s Secure the Space Challenge winners were Dynasty and Soull Ogun from L’Enchanteur. Nordstrom Space, which opened in 2015, is an in-store and online boutique that focuses on advanced and emerging designers. The Secure the Space Challenge will take place on June 12.
Tommy Hilfiger has sponsored the Design Challenge for the second year in a row. Tommy Hilfiger, the principal designer, will once again act as the chief mentor, mentoring the ten finalists through this year’s competition.
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was founded following 9/11 to assist budding designers and nurture the next generation of American fashion talent. Since its beginning, 189 designers have received mentorship and more than $7.7 million in funding. Of the designers who have completed the program, 41 percent of the brands are fully or largely owned by women, and 40 percent are owned entirely or substantially by minorities.
Last year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners were Dynasty and Soull Ogun of L’Enchanteur. Previous winners include Rodarte, Proenza Schouler, Thom Browne, Alexander Wang, and Joseph Altuzarra.
