Finalist announced for CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund

The finalists were announced for the 2012 Vogue/Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Fund, an initiative that aims to promote and nurture emerging design talent in the U.S., and has, over the last nine years, helped boost the careers of American designers such as Alexander Wang, Jospeh Altuzarra, and Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazlo Hernandez.

The 2012 nominees, who are competing for a $300,000 grant as well the chance to be mentored by a top industry name, are A.L.C’s Andrea Lieberman, Assembly’s Greg Armas, Giulietta’s Sofia Sizzi, Illesteva’s Justin Salguero, Alina, Silberman, Daniel Silberman, Jennifer Fisher, Jennifer Meyer, The Elder Statesman’s Greg Chait, Wes Gordon, Tabitha Simons and 2011 runners up Erin Beatty and Max Osterweis of Suno.

Each of the ten labels will now take part in a series of in-depth interviews where a selection committee that includes Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and CFDA President Diane Von Fustenberg will assess their future plans as they relate to marketing, sales, public relations and production. They will then travel to Los Angeles where they will present several looks from their current collection in a fashion show before a winner is eventually announced at a gala dinner in New York on November 13.

“The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has developed a new generation of American designers whose creative talent is known around the world,” said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, who sits on the selection committee along with J Crew Executive Creative Director Jenna Lyons, and designer Derek Lam. “The success for these designers is built on the specialized mentoring and business grants provided by the Fashion Fund.”

As part of a partnership with new underwriter Tiffany & Co., the finalists will also be asked to design one-off looks that will be unveiled in October, and be featured in a portfolio in the November issue of Vogue.

Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)