In New York, the CFDA and Nordstrom Celebrated the 2023 CVFF Finalists With Vogue100

On Tuesday morning, the CFDA’s Steven Kolb, Nordstrom’s Sam Lobban, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour hosted a special breakfast to toast the current class of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund at the Time Square Edition. Editors and creatives joined Vogue100 to explore the latest collections from the emerging designers during a private shopping presentation.

The ten designers assembled racks around the lush rooftop space turned showroom. Through small selections of pieces, each brand showed off a unique point of view. Sui flaunted her floral, carefree styles, while the duo behind Who Decides War flaunted their distressed, subversive denim. Tanner Fletcher presented its signature, romantic suiting. Beside them, Zankov, Sami Miro Vintage, Melitta Baumeister, Diotima, Colin LoCascio Kozaburo, and 4SDesigns all displayed their visions.

“This morning is a celebration of what the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is all about,” Lobban said. “People can engage with the product, see the collection, and speak to the designers.”

Standing beside Wintour and Lobban, Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, spoke to the group about the power of the Fashion Fund, which has nurtured emerging designers for nearly two decades. Many of the most commercially successful and editorially significant American brands—including Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung, and Christopher John Rogers—are products of the program.

“It is not an easy path to get here,” Kolb said. “The ten designers who are here today are a very special selection."

Despite the surrounding chaos of Times Square, the mood inside the Edition was tranquil and transportive. A feast of seasonal fruit and delicate pastries spread out over large farm tables in the center of the room. Bouquets of pink and green by Paul Phoa enlivened the room. Tropical planted trees gave the space an otherworldly feeling. The breeze from the open French doors leading out to the terrace provided a fresh morning air to the crowded room.

Many alumni of the program, including Jonathan Cohen, Emily Adams Bode, Alejandra Alonso Rojas, Danielle Frankel, and Jameel Mohammed, came to support the latest class. The designers excitedly discussed their upcoming shows at New York Fashion Week. For many, it will be their first runway presentations.

After breakfast, the room cleared as the Nordstrom and CVFF challenge began. The designers presented ideas to the Nordstrom team—including Sam Lobban, Rickie De Sole, and Jian DeLeon — for the chance to be carried by Nordstrom Space, the retailer’s boutique dedicated to emerging brands.