NEW YORK, Jul 17, 2009 / FW/ — Alabama Chanin, Esquivel Shoes, Gary Graham, House of Waris, Monique Pean, Ohne Titel, Patrik Ervell, Sophie Theallet, Spurr, Wayne – on November 16, one of them will be announced the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner and will join Alexander Wang, Doo.Ri and Derek Lam among others as fashion’s rising stars.
Yesterday, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue announced the 10 finalists for the fifth-annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund initiative which provides financial support and business mentorship for emerging designers.
The 2009 finalists are:
ALABAMA CHANIN – Natalie Chanin
ESQUIVEL SHOES – George Esquivel
GARY GRAHAM – Gary Graham
HOUSE OF WARIS – Waris Ahluwalia
MONIQUE PEAN – Monique Pean
OHNE TITEL – Flora Gill and Alexa Adams
PATRIK ERVELL – Patrik Ervell
SOPHIE THEALLET – Sophie Theallet
SPURR – Simon Spurr
WAYNE – Wayne Lee
Since its inception in 2003, the program has granted $1.8 million to fifteen different design companies, including Albertus Swanepoel, Alexander Wang, Doo.Ri, Derek Lam, Philip Crangi, Phillip Lim, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Rogan, Thakoon, Thom Browne, Trovata, and Vena Cava.
The CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund is generously sponsored by partner the Gap, underwriters American Express, Appleman Foundation, Barneys New York, Coach, Evgeny Lebedev, Hudson Bay Trading Company, Juicy Couture, Kellwood Company, Liz Claiborne Inc, L’Oréal Paris, Nordstrom, Theory and VOGUE.
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 ($200,000 to the winner and up to $50,000 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 a panel of corporate funders and 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.
