The CFDA, Vogue100, and Nordstrom Host a Breakfast for the 2025 Fashion Fund Finalists
On Thursday morning, guests were whisked up to the Greenwich Hotel’s sun-dappled penthouse, where light was being shone—literally and figuratively speaking—on ten emerging designers and their collections. Armed with cappuccinos and green juices, attendees joined Friends of the CFDA, Vogue100, and Nordstrom to celebrate the third annual CVFF Nordstrom Secure the SPACE Challenge. And perhaps indulge in a little shopping too.
"It s the 21st anniversary of the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund, and we re so excited about this group," Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, acknowledged. Everyone was in high spirits—and not just because the June weather was finally playing ball. Standing beside racks of their wares or tables showcasing their jewelry, this year’s recently announced talented crop of finalists was ready to shine.
“Not to play favorites—and I know it’s only been a few days so far—but this has already been one of the best experiences of my career,” Bernard James, the namesake designer behind the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand, told Vogue. “I feel like I almost work in a silo sometimes and I forget to look up. This program is proof that I’m going in the right direction.” With additional industry recognition and awards from the likes of the Fifteen Percent Pledge lately, it seems the proof is definitely in the pudding.
James, like many of this year’s finalists, launched his brand during COVID. Despite the obvious challenges that the era presented, in hindsight, it was a formative time as the slowdown gave hopeful creatives the chance to scratch an itch they always harbored. Stuck at home, many toyed with the idea of actualizing their dream line—even if their day job back then wasn’t fashion-related. “I was in the fine art world before,” said Don’t Let Disco founder Ashley Moubayed. Presiding over a collection of her playful beaded pieces, the intersection between art and fashion is certainly evident, and people are going crazy for it. “I think they gave me the best spot in the house,” Moubayed added. Admirers, including Roopal Patel, stopped by her prime real estate corner on the terrace, as did many ‘Disco Dolls’ as she fondly calls her supporters. “The best thing about being in a program like this is the chance to meet the other designers,” she said. Right on cue, the cape of her black silk mini dress by Heirlome fanned out behind her as it caught a gust of wind from the Hudson River.
Inside, Stephanie Suberville of Heirlome was talking to people through some of her signature pieces. In both Spanish and English, she explained how the fringed knitwear was created in partnership with artisans of the Madres y Artesanas Tex collective in Bolivia. It’s been a major few months for her young brand. With a well-attended February presentation during NYFW, Suberville joined the likes of fellow CVFF finalists Bach Mai and Meruert Tolegen on the official schedule. “It’s a very strong room,” Suberville agreed, looking around.
Ashlynn Park of ASHLYN is ready to give it her all. “I made sure I had no other distractions going on right now, so that I could be ready to really focus on the program," she said. "But I do feel a little overwhelmed,” she added, humbly, gesturing at the other designers. Her worries abated, as shoppers gathered around her rack and swooned over the same round-shouldered poppy red coat from Fall/Winter 2025 that wowed editors on the runway a few months ago.
While Native American artist and designer Jamie Okuma can’t quite pinpoint when she started her label, as making garments has always been a part of her life in some way, shape, or form, taking part in the program this year is monumental. “The timing just aligned,” she said. “I’ve only been working with what I know so far, which in the greater scheme of the fashion industry, isn’t a lot.” Okuma’s husband recently joined her at the brand to help propel things to new heights, too. With her family, she is based on the La Jolla reservation in Southern California. Still, “thanks to the power of social media and the internet,” she’s steadily amassed a fan group that includes Lily Gladstone, Eva Chen, Quannah Chasinghorse, and Vogue’s own Christian Allaire.
At 10 a.m., Rickie De Sole, VP, fashion director at Nordstrom, explained that later that day, the ten finalists would participate in a mini challenge and pitch the top buyers in a bid to get picked up by the retailer—think: Shark Tank, but make it fashion. "SPACE is a department at Nordstrom that was built to support the next generation of American designers," she added. “Because supporting emerging talent is so incredibly important to us. ”
Once the shoppers placed their orders and finished off the last of the croissants, it was time to spend the afternoon hearing from the class of 2025. De Sole, along with Sam Lobban, EVP/GMM of apparel and design, Jian DeLeon, men’s fashion director, and Joyce Lin, director of merchandising, reached a verdict. Ashlynn Park was selected as this year’s winner, and her collection will be carried at select Nordstrom stores in the upcoming year. Keep an eye out for that poppy red coat.
Yvonne Tnt/BFA.com1/19Tanner Richie, Kim Shui, Fletcher Kasell, Aldo Araujo
Yvonne Tnt/BFA.com2/19Julian Louie