How to Support This Year’s CFDA/Vogue Finalists? By Shopping Them!

May 11, 2021

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Earlier this month, Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America announced the details of this year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Historically, the fund sees 10 or so fashion designers competing for a cash prize and mentorship to help get their emerging business off the ground. Last year, the traditional competition was put on hold and A Common Thread was launched instead; but this year, for the first time in the competition’s 17-year history, all CVFF finalists will be awarded a grant and an industry veteran as a mentor. And the lucky designers are…Batsheva Hay of Batsheva; Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta of Eckhaus Latta; Anifa Mvuemba of Hanifa; Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka of House of Aama; Kenneth Nicholson; Jameel Mohammed of Khiry; LaQuan Smith; Abrima Erwiah of Studio 189; Edvin Thompson of Theophilio; and Willy Chavarria.

Each of the 10 labels will receive guidance and support from Vogue and the CFDA, but we would be remiss not to mention that you, dear reader, can also help to ensure the success of these young American brands by, yes, shopping them.

Look to Abrima Erwiah’s Studio 189 for a fabulous expression of texture and color, made with textiles by artisans in Ghana; these pieces are easy for summer dressing. Then there’s NYC favorite Eckhaus Latta, which does incredible knits in genius patterns and flatters every body type. Mike Echkaus and Zoe Latta are ready to take the brand to the next level. For jewelry, Khiry’s Jameel Mohammed makes unique demi-fine and fine jewelry pieces that can elevate any occasion.

Shopping for menswear? Willy Chavarria has a strong menswear aesthetic that we are all excited to see grow throughout the program. He has a keen eye and extensive design background. For womenswear, there’s mother-daughter duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka, who have been called “folklorists of fashion.” Their brilliant narrative is inspiring and beautiful, and their most recent collection is steeped in heritage; every piece is made with history in mind.

We all know (or should know) Batsheva Hay, who has evolved her namesake label from beyond the conservative, Laura Ashley–esque dress. Her new categories of knits and collaboration with Ella Emhoff keep her brand fresh and appealing to a new customer. Also innovating in the women’s department is Anifa Mvuemba of Hanifa, who is cutting her slinky knit ready-to-wear dresses and more in an exclusive range spanning XS to 2X.

There’s also Edvin Thompson, whose personal energy is translated into bright colors and knits in his label Theophilio. An homage to his Jamaican roots, the brand is known for great knits, curve-hugging dresses, and separates that anyone can wear.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Nicholson has a creative and beautiful vision for clothes and how they should be worn—his fall 2021 collection video was heartbreakingly beautiful. And last but not least is the va-va-voom designer LaQuan Smith, who makes sexy, flattering pieces favored by queens such as Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian.