CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists announced

The 10 up-and-coming designers who will compete for the 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, which includes instant exposure along with a 300,000 US dollar cash prize, has been revealed. Selected by a panel including US Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna

Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg and J. Crew's Jenna Lyons, the finalist include Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard of Veronica Beard, Todd Snyder, Misha Nonoo of Nonoo, Tim Coppens, and Dao-Yi Chao and Maxwell Osborne of Public School, who won the Swarovski Awards for Menswear at the 2013 CFDA Awards in June.

The other designers completing the line-up are Marc Alary of Marc Alary Jewelry, Juan Carlos Obando, Parabellum's Commodore Jason Jones, Tome's Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin, and Shimon and Ariel Ovadia of Ovadia & Sons.

“I could go on and on about the considerable achievements that the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has made in its decade long existence,” said Anna Wintour. “But to my mind simply mentioning the likes of such previous winners as Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Joseph Altuzarra more than demonstrates just how much the fund has brought to American fashion. This year’s ten finalists are going to be following in some pretty illustrious footsteps.”

Finalists revealed for 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

CFDA CEO Steven Kolb added: “The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has cultivated a generation of renowned American designers whose creative talent is known around the world. Now in its 10th anniversary, the program continues to offer specialized mentoring and business grants that are integral to fostering the next wave of successful design talent.”

In the run-up to the final, the 10 designers will meet with the selection committee, which includes British design duo Marcus Wainwright and David Neville of Rag & Bone, for interviews and a studio visit, and create a one-of-a-kind piece for Uniqlo. The designers will then stage a runway show at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on November 11, showcasing several of their looks, before the winner is revealed.

The winner will receive a 300,000 US dollar cash prize to help boost their brand and a collaboration with J. Crew, while the two runners-up will be awarded 100,000 US dollars and each will receive business mentorship.

Last year’s winner was Greg Chait of US cashmere label The Elder, while Tabitha Simons and Jennifer Mayer were named runners-up. Previous winners also include Proenza Schouler, Joseph Altuzarra, Billy Reid, Sophie Theallet, and Alexander Wang.

Image: Public School A/W13