Karlie Kloss Introduces the Impressive New Class of CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists
The 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists—a wildly diverse and creative crew—let their freak flags fly and their talent shine through with a little help from Karlie Kloss, Kaia Gerber, and friends.
Photographed by Greg Harris, Vogue, November 20171/10Vaquera
“We love to create fantasies,” says Bryn Taubensee, 27 (second from left)—who, along with Patric Dicaprio, 27 (standing, second from right), David Moses, 23 (center), and Claire Sully, 23 (top row, left), makes up the Brooklyn–based Vaquera collective. The quartet works “instinctively,” Taubensee says—for spring, that led to clothes as twisted as the narratives behind them: a washed-up surfer dude having an affair with a younger goth girl, say, or a country-club couple with a distraught punk daughter. “What we have is pretty magical,” adds Moses. “We’re excited by the mystery of what’s to come.” Models, from left: Paloma Elsesser, Ralph Souffrant, Grace Elizabeth, Karlie Kloss, India Salvor Menuez, and Dara. All clothes (including Kloss’s dress and train) by Vaquera. Fashion Editor: Jorden Bickham.
Photographed by Greg Harris, Vogue, November 20172/10Sandy Liang
New York City native Sandy Liang, 26 (far left), creates clothing for herself, her friends, and the real women she sees riding the subway—with a profound understanding that for the Instagram generation, everything is an accessory. What that means: peekaboo polka-dot dresses, shearling-lined jean jackets, and glossy, floral-embroidered leather biker coats, all of which come with a quirky-cool spirit deeply rooted in the Lower East Side. “I always reference my own life, from OshKosh B’gosh to my grandma,” says Liang. “It’s mixing odd dualities like these that makes me happy.” center: Actress Bria Vinaite. All clothes by Sandy Liang.
Photographed by Greg Harris, Vogue, November 20173/10Chromat
Fashion may finally be embracing every kind of body, but Chromat’s Becca McCharen-Tran, 33 (far right), has been using the runway to celebrate trailblazers and their shapes for her entire career. It’s about walking the line—or, in her case, swimming the lane—between a kind of technical virtuosity and street style while engineering flattering, feel-good swim and athletic wear for all shapes and sizes. “These women are more than just models,” McCharen-Tran says. “They’re artists, activists—and they have a lot to contribute to the conversation.” Far left: Model Ashley Graham. All clothes by Chromat.
Photographed by Greg Harris, Vogue, November 20174/10Jordan Askill
Since launching his own collection in 2010 (after interning with Alexander McQueen and working at Dior Homme, among others), Sydney-born artist and designer Jordan Askill, 37 (far left), has been finding beauty in everything from nature to organic baubles—and his newest work, which reveals his penchant for sustainable South Sea pearls, is no exception. “Whether my inspiration comes from the environment or from endangered species, there’s always a connection to the majestic,” says Askill. “These are things that should be considered precious—just like fine jewelry.” All jewelry by Jordan Askill. Model Karlie Kloss in Brock Collection. Model Taylor Hill (far right) in Rodarte.
Photographed by Greg Harris, Vogue, November 20175/10DYNE
DYNE—from the Greek word dynamis, meaning power and force—is the brainchild of Portland-based designer Christopher Bevans, 44 (far left), who got his kicks working at Sean John, Rocawear, Billionaire Boys Club, and Nike (he also worked on the road designing for Kanye West). Now Bevans is sprinting ahead full force with his own line of all-purpose sportswear incorporating the best textiles and technology. “It’s clothing that’s real and meaningful for every day and everywhere,” says Bevans, who calls his work “menswear for life on Mars. Just don’t call it wearable tech.” Kloss in a DYNE pullover and top. Area leggings. Eddie Borgo earrings. Denis Shapovalov (far right) in DYNE shirt and shorts.