Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)

Morgan Stanley Presents: Finance & Wealth Management Webinar April 9, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. EST Click here to register: https://lnkd.in/eKqfP-hr In the vibrant and ever-evolving world of fashion, vision, creativity and passion play crucial roles in achieving success. However, a deep understanding of personal and business finances is equally essential for making informed decisions that foster growth and build generational wealth. Led by Morgan Stanley thought leaders and Financial Advisors within the Global Sports & Entertainment business, they will explore the fundamental financial knowledge and wealth strategies necessary to help plan for the unexpected. The discussion will cover key topics including budgeting, savings, investing, cash flow management and income protections strategies.

The CFDA Statement on Announced “Liberation Day” Tariffs The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is concerned about President Trump’s recently announced “Liberation Day” tariffs. If implemented as planned in the coming days, these trade measures will significantly impact American fashion businesses, especially independent designers and small brands that rely on global supply chains to produce and distribute their collections. The proposed tariffs will drive up costs, disrupt sourcing and production schedules, and diminish American fashion's competitiveness in the global marketplace. While we support efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing, such policies must be balanced with the realities of today’s interconnected industry. American fashion thrives on creativity, innovation, and a global network of partners. We urge policymakers to consider the impact of these measures and engage with industry leaders in developing solutions that foster long-term growth for U.S.-based designers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eRAW8rfG

Calling all college students! We are looking for the future of American fashion. The 2025 CFDA Scholarship Fund is now open through May 16, awarding $325,000 total to nine selected student recipients. This year, we dedicate all our scholarships in honor of Elsa Klensch, the pioneering journalist and two-time decorated CFDA Fashion Awards recipient, who generously supported the CFDA's commitment to education through her estate. Click here for more information and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/eB_dEQPD (Featuring the 2024 CFDA Fashion Scholarship Fund recipient videos by Alison Prada, Bao Pham, Brielle Ohlsen, Catalina Torres, Elizabeth Lawson, Laurence Wei and Zahra Najafi.)

Gai Gherardi, the co-founder and designer of l.a.Eyeworks and pivotal figure in the eyewear industry, died Sunday in Los Angeles. She was 78.   la..Eyeworks began 46 years ago with a single storefront on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles with Barbara McReynolds, her inseparable friend since high school. Since 1981, the brand’s memorable portrait ad campaign, photographed by Greg Gorman, has featured an eclectic mix of more than 200 high-profile celebrities and cultural provocateurs, including Grace Jones, Bryan Ferry, Pierce Brosnan, Jody Watley and Eartha Kitt. It was anchored by l.a.Eyeworks’ well-known tagline “A face is like a work of art. It deserves a great frame.”   Gherardi, who was part of the eyewear designers of the CFDA (edCFDA), had joined the CFDA membership in 2014. Rest in peace, Gai. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eBqnp2eD

Public relations and marketing play a crucial role in a brand’s success, but for independent designers who often have to balance creativity with business strategy, knowing when and how to engage with PR can feel overwhelming. Independent fashion brands face a unique set of challenges as they navigate an increasingly competitive and digitally driven industry. With the dominance of major luxury conglomerates and fast fashion giants, smaller brands must work harder to capture the consumers attention in this landscape. A well-crafted PR and marketing strategy isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity for independent brands to stand out, build recognition, connect with their audience, and carve out a distinct identity in a crowded market. CFDA hosted its first conversation as part of the Fashion Forward Series, Success Strategies for Independent Designers featuring Miki Higasa, Founder & President of KALEIDOSCOPE CONSULTING and Rachna Shah, Global CEO of KCD who addressed these topics and more. Click here to view the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/eqAh7m5Y

In the second installment of our Fashion Forward series, experts will cover key retail trends, financial considerations, and the potential impact of new tariffs. The conversation will also focus on how to navigate the retail landscape, from optimizing sales channels and building a relationship with a retail partner, both big box and specialty. Fashion Forward: Success Strategies for Independent Designers | Retail & Sales Featuring: Sherri McMullen, Founder and CEO of McMullen Sandra Park, VP DMM Men’s Luxury Collections at Saks Fifth Avenue Moderated by: Sacha Brown, Director of Professional Development at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Click here to register for free: https://lnkd.in/dAfy_HEq

Andy Warhol was a prolific user of Polaroid cameras to document his life, friends and icons such as Carolina Herrera, Dolly Parton, Liza Minnelli and Tina Turner, as well as other artists, actors, politicians, clubbers and the New York scene. Now, a very special group of Warhol’s legendary polaroids, curated for the CFDA by Hedges Projects, is on sale at Artsy with a portion of proceeds benefitting the CFDA Foundation, Inc. Click here to view the sale and to buy one of these unique pieces of fashion history: https://bit.ly/41X8OLU   (1) Carolina Herrera, 1978 (2) Diana Vreeland, 1978 (3) Halston, Dolly Parton and Andy Warhol at Studio 54, 1978 (4) Liza Minnelli at Halston’s apartment, 1979 (5) Tina Turner, 1981 (6) Grace Jones and Andre Leon Talley at Studio 54, 1978   All photos courtesy Hedges Projects

Congratulations Fashion Maverick Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, who will be honored on April 29 in New York City at the #AmericanImageAwards, benefitting the CFDA Foundation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/evu5v8ER

The application process for the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF) class is now open, and the 10 finalists will be chosen by the Selection Committee and unveiled in June.   Gap Inc. is a new supporter of the Fashion Fund, and Gap Inc. Executive Vice President and Creative Director Zac Posen joins the Selection Committee. The Tommy Hilfiger brand will continue its support of the Design Challenge, with Founder & Principal Designer Tommy Hilfiger serving as lead mentor of the program. Nordstrom’s Secure the Space Challenge and corresponding event will also return.      The #CFDAVogueFashionFund is generously supported by Instagram, Gap Inc., Nordstrom, Tommy Hilfiger, Saks Fifth Avenue and Vogue. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eR8jDEWD

The fashion industry is built on the creativity and innovation of independent designers and brands. These businesses, many of which are small and emerging, rely on fair and timely payments to sustain their operations, invest in future collections, and support their teams. Yet, delays in payments from retailers place an increasing financial strain on designers, threatening the industry’s very foundation. As the organization representing American fashion, the CFDA firmly supports designers and brands in their quest for sustainable and equitable business practices. Retailers and designers are inherently connected—each plays a vital role in the success of the other. When payments are delayed, designers encounter significant operational challenges, from covering production costs to paying factories, suppliers, and employees. To ensure a thriving fashion ecosystem, it is essential that retailers maintain clear and equitable payment terms that demonstrate the mutual reliance of both parties. Independent designers serve as the backbone of the luxury and contemporary markets, and their financial stability must not be jeopardized. A commitment to timely payments enhances the industry as a whole, promoting an environment where creativity and commerce can flourish together. The CFDA stays dedicated to promoting fair business practices and assisting both designers and retailers in cultivating a stronger, more sustainable fashion industry. By collaborating, we can create a future where designers are empowered to concentrate on what they do best—creating and innovating—without the weight of financial uncertainty. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e8MR8BCr