CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists Revealed for 2026
The 10 finalists of the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund have been revealed.
They are Aisling Camps; Amir Taghi; Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch Tongtong; Emily Dawn Long; Jamie Haller; Julia Ferentinos of Juju Vera; Zane Li of Lll; George Inaki of Milamore; Claire Sullivan of Miss Claire Sullivan, and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen.
“The 2026 finalists reflect the depth of talent and creativity emerging across American fashion today. Their unique perspectives and strong sense of purpose represent the future of our industry,” said Steven Kolb, chief executive officer and president of the CFDA. “We are also excited to welcome Chloe Malle, Denise Magid, Yumi Shin, and Christopher John Rogers to this year’s selection committee, whose expertise and perspectives will help guide and support the next generation of fashion leaders.”
The Fashion Fund winner will be revealed on Oct. 20 at a celebratory dinner gala in New York.
The winner will take home $300,000 and the two runner-ups will each receive $100,000.
The 10 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists.
Courtesy inage
The program will also continue to create meaningful business mentorships and a pathway to success for all finalists.
The 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is supported by Bloomingdale’s, Humane World for Animals, Instagram, Nordstrom and Vogue.
The first designer presentations to the judges take place on June 10, followed by a celebratory cocktail that evening at Jean’s hosted by Vogue and the CFDA in partnership with Nordstrom.
The members of the 2026 selection committee are Aurora James of Brother Vellies and the Fifteen Percent Pledge; Nordstrom’s Shin; Vogue’s Malle; Rogers, Bloomingdale’s Magid; Eva Chen of Instagram; Phelps; model Paloma Elsesser; CFDA’s Kolb, and Thom Browne of Thom Browne New York and chairman of the CFDA.
During this year’s Fashion Fund season, Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International) joins as the Design Challenge partner, inviting finalists to take part in the Material Innovation Challenge, highlighting innovative bio-based textiles that help steer the fashion industry toward a sustainable and cruelty-free future.
The Fashion Fund winner will be revealed on Oct. 20 at a celebratory dinner gala in New York.
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion fund was established after 9/11 to help emerging designers and cultivate the next generation of American fashion talent. Since its inception, 200 designers have received mentoring and more than $8.2 million in support. Of the designers who have gone through the program, 41 percent of brands are fully or partially women-owned, and 40 percent are fully or partially minority-owned.
Past finalists and winners include Ashlyn, Billy Reid, Bode, Rogers, Simkhai, Altuzarra, L’Enchanteur, Melitta Baumeister, Proenza Schouler, Pyer Moss, The Elder Statesman and Sami Miro.
