The designers include:

A PEACE TREATY – Dana Arbib, Farah Malik & Jesse Meighan
DEZSO BY SARA BELTRAN – Sara Beltran
ISA TAPIA – Isa Tapia
KAELEN – Kaelen Haworth
KARA – Sarah Law
KATIE ERMILIO – Katie Ermilio
LUCIO CASTRO – Lucio Castro
NOMIA – Yara Flinn
NONOO – Misha Nonoo
ORLEY – Matthew & Alex Orley, Samantha Florence

Located at 209 West 38th Street in New York City’s Garment District, the {FASHION INCUBATOR} is a business development program for emerging American designers. The {FASHION INCUBATOR} provides a creative professional environment to foster promising fashion talent, and help selected designers grow and sustain their businesses.

By offering low-cost design studio space, business mentoring, educational seminars, and networking opportunities, the program provides opportunities for participants to reach their full potential and become an integral part of the New York Fashion community.

The CFDA {FASHION INCUBATOR} accommodates ten (10) designer brands; each retains a separate design studio, ranging from 550 to 1,000 square feet in size. Newmark Holdings provides each brand with a two-year below-market-rate lease. In addition, the floor boasts a large, communal work-studio, a conference room and a full kitchen that designers share.

To be eligible for consideration, designers are required to be in business for a minimum of two (2) years and demonstrate their potential through substantive editorial coverage and orders from top retailers. The designers were chosen by members of a Selection Committee comprised of fashion industry experts, including retailers, editors, and business leaders. Selection Committee members include:

Steven Alan – Creative Director, STEVEN ALAN
Gloria Baume – Fashion Director, TEEN VOGUE
Trish Donnelly – President, STEVEN ALAN
Joseph Ferrara – President, FERRARA MANUFACTURING
Doug Hand – Founding Partner, HAND BALDACHIN & AMBERGY
Noria Morales – Director of Design Partnerships, TARGET
Tomoko Ogura – Senior Fashion Director, BARNEYS NEW YORK
Roopal Patel – Founder, ROOPAL PATEL CONSULTING
Nicole Phelps – Executive Editor, STYLE.COM
Shan Reddy – Founder, REDLINE CONSULTING
Lisa Smilor – Executive Director, CFDA
Nick Sullivan – Fashion Director, ESQUIRE

Prior to moving into their {FASHION INCUBATOR} studio in May 2014, the designers will have completed a nine-month “MBA program” which CFDA developed in partnership with New York University’s Stern School of Business. 

Then, over the course of two (2) years, the CFDA will work closely with the designers on all aspects of business development – including costing and production, branding and marketing, finance and legal, eCommerce development and retail strategy.

The program includes a highly customized Business Mentorship program, with over fifty of the industry’s leaders participating as Mentors. In addition, the designers participate in group workshops and seminars, as well as networking and travel opportunities – all with the objective of helping them grow their businesses.

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Council of Fashion Designers of America