The CFDA and Vogue revealed the 10 finalists for the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund on June 10, 2026, with the first round of designer presentations before the selection committee taking place Wednesday afternoon. A celebratory cocktail hosted jointly by Vogue, the CFDA, and Nordstrom followed that evening — marking the official launch of what is widely considered American fashion's most prestigious emerging-designer competition.

The winner of the 2026 fund will receive $300,000, with the announcement scheduled for a celebratory dinner in October. The prize has historically been a career-defining inflection point for recipients, providing capital to scale production, expand distribution, and build the infrastructure that transforms a promising label into a sustainable brand.

Key Facts

  • 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists announced June 10, 2026
  • Prize: $300,000 — winner announced at October dinner
  • Designer presentations held June 10 in New York City
  • Celebratory cocktail hosted by Vogue, CFDA, and Nordstrom
  • Selection committee includes Thom Browne, Christopher John Rogers, Aurora James, Eva Chen, Paloma Elsesser
  • 10 finalists represent categories from ready-to-wear to fine jewelry

Meet the 10 Finalists

The 2026 class spans a wide spectrum of design perspectives. The confirmed finalists are: Aisling Camps; Amir Taghi; Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch Tongtong; Emily Dawn Long; Jamie Haller; Julia Ferentinos of Juju Vera; Zane Li of Lll; George Inaki of Milamore; Claire Sullivan of Miss Claire Sullivan; and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen.

The group reflects the breadth of what the fund represents — not a single aesthetic or category, but a cross-section of the most compelling voices in American design today, from emerging ready-to-wear labels to fine jewelry and conceptual fashion.

A Selection Committee With Real Industry Weight

The 2026 selection committee brings together some of the most consequential figures across fashion, retail, and media. Thom Browne joins Christopher John Rogers — himself a former Fashion Fund winner whose trajectory from Baton Rouge to the front rows of Paris exemplifies what the prize can unlock. Aurora James of Brother Vellies and the Fifteen Percent Pledge brings both design credibility and a track record of industry advocacy.

The committee also includes Eva Chen of Instagram, Paloma Elsesser, Yumi Shin of Nordstrom, Denise Magid of Bloomingdale's, and Vogue's Chloe Malle and Nicole Phelps. The combination of retail power, editorial authority, and design expertise means the finalists are being evaluated across every dimension that matters to a building brand.

"The Fashion Fund has always been about more than money — it's about the conversation," Aurora James told WWD. "These are the designers who are asking the most interesting questions right now."

What the Fund Has Meant Historically

Since its founding in 2003, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has supported more than two decades of American design talent. Past recipients and finalists include Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Phillip Lim, and Christopher John Rogers — all of whom used the fund's platform to establish lasting presences in the global fashion market.

What Happens Next

Following Wednesday's presentations and cocktail, the selection committee will deliberate through the summer. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner in October 2026, with the $300,000 award and an ongoing mentorship component from the CFDA and its partners. LoudDrip will have full coverage of the October announcement. Follow our Fashion section for updates.