On April 26, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (better known simply as the CFDA) and Vogue announced its 2022 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists. The program was first established after the tragedy of 9/11 in 2003 to help emerging American designers continue to grow their businesses after the industry was hit hard. Similar to last year’s Fashion Fund, this year’s fashion fund will follow the new format introduced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the traditional one winner and two runner-ups who would receive funding, all ten designers will be awarded a grant, as well as personal mentorship with industry leaders based on “designated areas of need,” reads the press release.
“Our ten finalists are a wonderful reminder that great fashion isn’t only wildly creative, but that it comes with a conscience,” said Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director of Vogue Anna Wintour in a press release. “I’m so proud of this year’s group; they represent the very best of what America can be—and what it can stand for.”
Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, echos Wintour’s sentiment, saying, “This year’s group of finalists are among the best talents to bring fashion into the future. They’re diverse, daring, and redefine codes of American style.”
The Fashion Fund is known for boosting the careers of some of the buzziest names in American fashion, including Christopher John Rogers, Pyer Moss, Telfar, Hanifa, Bode, Tanya Taylor, Chromat, Sandy Liang, and New York Fashion Week favorites LaQuan Smith and Batsheva. This year’s crop of emerging talent was selected by the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund committee — including Wintour, Kolb, Mark Holgate, Chioma Nnadi, Aurora James, Roopal Patel, Eva Chen, Sam Lobban, and Paloma Elsesser. They will be joined by committee newcomers; designer Thom Browne and Nick Molnar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Afterpay.
Ahead of the event, meet the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists to have on your radar.
Jacques Agbobly, BLACK BOY KNITS
Jacques Agbobly launched his line Black Boy Knits (BBK) in 2020 as an independent design studio that emphasizes Black, queer and immigrant backgrounds. Each piece created by Agbobly is made-to-order using a hand-operated knitting machine, in addition to natural fibers that are biodegradable and eco-friendly.
Elena Velez, ELENA VELEZ
Elena Velez brings her midwest sensibilities to New York through her nontraditional synthesis of metalwork and high fashion designs. After graduating from Parsons School of Design and Central Saint Martins, Velez made her New York Fashion Week debut in September 2021. In addition to her eponymous label, Velez launched Ev Collaborator Studio, a remote residency and rotating artist showcase that oversees the creation of limited, codesigned products with makers curated based on a mission parallel to the brand.
Felisha Noel, FE NOEL
Brooklyn-based designer Fe Noel is heavily inspired by her Grenadian roots when it comes to her designs. Her Caribbean background fused with her passion for travel, a love of vibrant colors and a penchant for bold prints is the essence of her line, Felisha Noel. She entered the industry at the young age of 19, opening a physical boutique in Brooklyn that attracted vintage lovers and trendsetters alike.
Lauren Harwell Godfrey, HARWELL GODFREY
For designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey, jewelry is more than just an adornment to dress up a look, but a protective piece for the wearer. With aesthetic roots in ancient textiles and ethnic patterns, the collection is handcrafted in 18k gold with precious gemstones and ethically-sourced diamonds. Each stone has a healing energy in mind that is thoughtfully selected to enhance the wearer’s experience. Godfrey has a deep commitment to social causes — designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey launched her Charity Heart series in 2020, donating 100% of proceeds to personally significant nonprofit organizations including NAACP, Futures Without Violence, Human Rights Campaign, Every Mother Counts and World Central Kitchen.
Taofeek Abijako, HEAD OF STATE
While his peers were out playing or partying, Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based Taofeek Abijako launched Head of State in 2016 while still in high school. Abijako follows in his father’s footsteps, who is also a Nigerian-based fashion designer. He pulls inspiration from his upbringing and cultural moments in African history, such as festival style — not the flower crown Coachella looks — including West Africa’s largest gathering of Black arts and culture, the Festival of African Culture.
Conley Averett, JUDY TURNER
Designer Conley Averett, an alumnus of luxury label Khaite, founded his label in 2019 and named it after two old Hollywood starlets: Judy Garland and Lana Turner. The New York-based label creates high-quality hand-knitted and crocheted dresses, cardigans, and balaclavas that are timeless yet represent her quirky style.
Colm Dillane, KIDSUPER
If the name Colm Dillane sounds familiar or his cult-favorite label KIDSUPER, it’s because he was a finalist in 2021’s LVMH Prize competition. Often seen as an industry outsider Dillane has disrupted the industry with his free-spirited designs. The Brooklyn-based designer puts 100% himself into his designs which is why its garnered such a niche following thanks to his authenticity.
Pia Davis and Autumn Randolph, NO SESSO
Pierre “Pia” Davis and Autumn Randolph’s No Sesso label marked its return to New York Fashion Week back in February. The duo created their line to challenge the norms of fashion, art, culture, and design by bringing inclusivity to the forefront. The interesting thing about NO SESSO is that it is community-powered. The Los-Angeles based brand focuses on empowering people of all colors, shapes and identities.
Omar Salam, SUKEINA
After living and traveling around Europe most his life, Omar Salam studied and graduated from Parsons School of Design with a degree in fashion. In 2001, he started working for Sonia Rykiel in Paris and became Visual Director in New York City. He spent seven years at the brand fostering a meaningful relationship with the designer before joining Christian Lacroix in 2010 and spent two years with the house. In 2012, the designer established his own fashion house called SUKEINA — which means “bright light” — after his late mother.
Jackson Wiederhoeft, WIEDERHOEFT
Wiederhoeft is all about drama and extravagance that comes with fashion. The design house, first launched in 2019 by Parsons School of Design graduate Jackson Wiederhoeft, has quickly become a New York Fashion Week favorite. Wiederhoeft is often inspired by the ballet and theatre — his debut collection, “Spooky Couture,” launched in October 2019, a fashion show designed within the context of a story ballet. The second collection, “The Music Box,” featured models wearing faerie wings and tutu skirts circling a ballet performance.
