You may have heard of the CFDA, but wondering what are they? What do they really mean to the fashion industry? The BFC, CFDA, CNMI, FF are the four fashion councils from the four fashion capitals.
British Fashion Council (BFC)
Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI)
Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
Fédération Française de la Couture du Prêt à Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode (FF)
In this new mini series we will be diving into each of these non-profit organisations to find out how they were established and how they effect the fashion industry. The CFDA is America’s fashion council (non-profit association) originally founded by Eleanor Lambert in 1962 to raise funds for charity and industry initiatives.
You may recognise the acronym from the annual fashion awards they host, celebrating fashion’s most prestigious impact in the US. Last November we saw the likes of Zendaya win the Fashion Icon of the year and Demna Gvasalia win Womenswear Designer of the year.
However, the council are a lot more than just an annual awards ceremony. The CFDA has an exclusive membership of over 500 of America’s leading designers in womenswear, menswear and accessories. Providing them with prosperous and impactful leadership and business support. The council also works towards expanding pillars including diversity, equity, inclusion and sustainability through their impact initiative. In addition, the trade organization owns and organises the holy grail Fashion Calendar.
The mission of the CFDA is to strengthen the impact of American Fashion in the global economy
Eleanor Lambert the founder of the CFDA was an extraordinary women of the fashion industry. As one of the most renowned publicists in the US and is credited with the first inception of New York as a fashion capital. Lambert lived out her destiny, as once told by a fortune teller she would live a long life surrounded by some of the greatest and talented people of her time. Eleanor Lambert passed away in 2003 at 100 years old, spending more than 70 of those years creating respected institutions and events that put American fashion on the map and ultimately changed how the global industry saw fashion.
Who is the Fashion Council today?
The CFDA today is made up of America’s most influential individuals of the industry. The current president of the council is Casandra Diggs who joined the organisation back in 2001. Steve Kolb holds position as CEO, an experienced veteran of non-profit organisations. Vera Wang is the General Secretary as Vogue’s youngest ever Fashion Editor and an innovative fashion designer herself. Tom Ford the icon of fashion was the Board Chairman but has recently this month chose to step down. Following in the footsteps of Diane Von Furstenberg he has held the position for 3 years during the whole pandemic.
Other important committee members of the organisation include:
Vice Chairman- Michael Kors
Board Members: Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Diane Von Furstenberg
The CFDA offers a prestigious, exclusive membership for the foremost designers of America, these memberships are chosen by election and invitation only. This includes many acclaimed designers such as Marc Jacobs. Previous members include Oscar De La Renta and Virgil Abloh.
But what really does the council do for the fashion industry?
The CFDA offer support to emerging designer talent. The council is committed to supporting young and new aspiring designers during their studies and early stages of their career. Their Educational Initiative offers scholarship funding to those enrolled in a fashion design programme at an American college to help talent capable of making a mark in the industry. All done through student submissions, Between 1996 and 2021, the CFDA has awarded approx. $2.7 million and 321 scholarships.
The council has also worked with Vogue for the past 19 years as part of their Professional Development programmes. The partnership supports aspiring designers with the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund. Helping fresh talent kick start their career, winners of the prize fund have gone on to become some of the industry’s brightest names. The judges usually include Anna Wintour, Mark Holgate and Steven Kolb. The top 10 finalists are offered mentorship and a $50,000 grant.
Of course they host the annual CFDA Fashion Awards to recognise and celebrate the top talent of the industry. Held in New York City the ceremony honours innovation and individuals who excelled that year. Including awards such as International Menswear Designer of the Year, American Accessories Designer of the Year, Emerging Designer of the Year. Celebrating both American and global talents. The nominations for each award are submitted by the CFDA Fashion Awards Guild which is made up of selected members of the CFDA along with top journalists and stylists.
The organisation holds key values including Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Sustainability. With the goal of not only inspiring the fashion industry but actually doing something about it, the CFDA launched the Impact Initiative which was developed to “identify, connect and support Black and Brown creatives in fashion.” Created back in early 2021 it was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, something the council did not want to just support in the ongoing moment, but further.
“IMPACT addresses the decades-long system of exclusion of Black talent in the industry with hopes to create a blueprint for other industries to follow.”
As well as supporting the industry in many different ways, the CFDA owns and organises the official Fashion Calendar and the mighty NYFW schedule. The calendar was acquired by in 2014 by Diane Von Furstenberg as she was appointed President of the committee.
A little historical fact: Ruth Finely was the keeper of the schedule and publisher of the Fashion Calendar. She launched in back in the 1940’s as a little pink booklet featuring fashion week schedules and events.
Who do you hope to see nominated at this years CDFA Fashion Awards?
