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Nurturing Creative Vision: A Lifelong Journey in Fashion

An Evening of Recognition: Honoring New Talent at the Crane Club

A star-studded gathering of prominent American fashion figures, including Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Tory Burch, and Prabal Gurung, convened at the New York Crane Club. The occasion marked the grand finale of the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, where the next generation of fashion innovators were officially acknowledged.

Zac Posen's Enduring Message: Creativity as a Continuous Pursuit

Making his debut as a judge, Zac Posen delivered the opening remarks, expressing his profound admiration for the participating designers. He emphasized the remarkable individuality and fervor each finalist brought to their work, acknowledging the difficulty in selecting a single victor. Posen conveyed a powerful message to all finalists: creativity is an ongoing endeavor, encouraging them to savor their journey and embrace patience in their artistic pursuits.

Ashlynn Park Crowned Winner: A Rising Star in Fashion Design

Following much anticipation, Ashlynn Park, representing her brand Ashlyn, was declared the recipient of the 21st CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award. This triumph includes a substantial $300,000 grant and invaluable mentorship from a leading industry expert, designed to propel her brand forward. Park, who had also recently secured the Emerging Designer of the Year title at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards, shared her immense excitement and honor. Stephanie Suberville of Heirlome and Julian Louie of Aubero were distinguished as runners-up, each awarded $100,000 to further their creative ventures.

A Gathering of Influential Figures: Celebrating Fashion's Future

The announcement of the winners, presented by model Alex Consani, followed a vibrant cocktail reception and an exquisite dinner. The event attracted a distinguished array of guests, including actor Adrien Brody, designer Georgina Chapman, actress Nina Dobrev, past Fund winners Dynasty and Soull Ogun of L’Enchanteur and Christopher John Rogers, alongside designers Hillary Taymour, Mike Eckhaus, Jonathan Cohen, Tanner Richie, and Fletcher Kasell, among many others, all present to celebrate the future of fashion.

Isha Ambani's Vision: Championing Diversity and Global Dialogue

Isha Ambani, adorned in an ensemble by 2024 Fund runner-up Jackson Wiederhoeft, articulated her deep commitment to supporting burgeoning talent and diverse voices within the American design community. As the head of Reliance Retail, India's largest retailer, Ambani highlighted the Fund's crucial role in providing a platform for these creatives. Her participation underscored her dedication to fostering emerging talent, an initiative she also champions through Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI in India and Fashion Trust Arabia, where India is the Guest Country this year. She emphasized leveraging fashion's influence to shape a global cultural exchange, noting New York City's personal significance to her, having completed her education there.

Building Community: The Enduring Legacy of the Fashion Fund

The evening's official festivities concluded with delightful desserts, including ice cream and carrot cake, as the class of 2025 mingled before heading to an informal after-party organized by one of their peers. This sense of camaraderie and support among designers is a cornerstone of the Fund's philosophy, representing a steadfast commitment to fostering a collaborative and nurturing environment within the fashion industry.

The Distinguished Selection Committee: Guardians of Fashion's Future

The finalists for the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund included Ashlynn Park of Ashlyn, Stephanie Suberville of Heirlome, Julian Louie's Aubero, Bach Mai, Bernard James, Don't Let Disco by Ashley Moubayed, Gabe Gordon and Timothy Gibbons from Gabe Gordon, Jamie Okuma, Meruert Tolegen, and Peter Do. The esteemed selection committee comprised Anna Wintour, CFDA chairman Thom Browne, CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, Instagram's head of fashion Eva Chen, Fifteen Percent Pledge founder Aurora James, model Paloma Elsesser, Nordstrom vice president Rickie De Sole, Saks SVP Roopal Patel, Gap Inc. executive vice president Zac Posen, and Vogue's Mark Holgate and Nicole Phelps.