The Designer Receives a Grand prize of $100,000 to Put Towards her Brand
Grace Ling has been named as the recipient of the inaugural CFDA/Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant, securing a grand prize of $100,000.
The competition, which also included Andrew Kwon and Haoran Li and Siying Qu of Private Policy, tasked designers with crafting a bespoke fashion collection that melds their Asian cultural heritage with contemporary elements over a five-month period.
The winner was unveiled at an event held at Genesis House on Wednesday night, with esteemed judges including industry luminaries like Jodie Chan from Carolina Herrera, Laurent Claquin from Kering Americas, Rachel Espersen from Genesis House and Studios at Genesis Motor America, Steven Kolb from the CFDA, and Wen Zhou from 3.1 Phillip Lim.
Expressing her delight at the collaboration, Espersen remarked, “It has been an incredible experience working with the CFDA and these immensely talented designers throughout this one-of-a-kind program supporting the AAPI community.” She added, “Our three finalists produced beautiful works of art that showcase their unique style and interpretation of their heritage, and we’re deeply proud of their journeys over the course of these last few months.”
Ling unveiled a captivating collection comprising three full looks inspired by a femme fatale character, each embodying themes of seduction, transformation, and initiation. Renowned for her fusion of futurism and sustainability, Ling employed a cutting-edge 3D-printing process for one of the looks, exemplifying her commitment to innovation. Infusing her designs with a fresh feminine aesthetic, Ling seamlessly integrated elements of Asian heritage with modern sensibilities, drawing inspiration from Asian folklore and cultural symbols like hair, which symbolizes respect.
Expressing her gratitude for the grant, Ling stated, “I am very honored to be the recipient of Genesis House’s first AAPI Innovation Grant with CFDA. It is a privilege to be able to combine modernity, heritage, and innovation in my practice, and this has given me the opportunity to do so.” She added, “Genesis House is very inspiring in these aspects, and I look forward to taking these values with me in my future work.”
Hailing from Singapore and based in New York, Ling has made a name for herself through her innovative use of 3D-printing and CGI technology in fashion design. Her brand, founded in 2020, has gained recognition for its sculptural silhouettes and avant-garde aesthetic, adorned by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Karlie Kloss, Ashley Graham, and Emma Chamberlain.
Genesis and the CFDA initiated the program to support AAPI fashion designers, selecting Kwon, Ling, and Li and Qu of Private Policy as the inaugural participants. The designers received guidance from industry experts such as Prabal Gurung, Grace Cha, and Stephanie Horton as they developed their collections. As part of the challenge, they embarked on an immersive trip to Seoul to delve into Korean heritage and culture for inspiration.
The collections were showcased at Genesis House on Wednesday night alongside pieces from established AAPI designers like Altuzarra, Bibhu Mohapatra, Monse, and Prabal Gurung. Ling was awarded an additional $60,000 for the development of her collection, bringing the total grant awarded to $100,000. The final designs will be on display at Genesis House from Thursday through March 3.
Reflecting on the exceptional talent showcased, Kolb from the CFDA remarked, “Each of the three finalists of the inaugural CFDA/Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant program showcased exceptional work, which made the selection of a winner very difficult.” He added, “Congratulations to Grace Ling as well as Andrew Kwon and Private Policy. We look forward to seeing you continue to build your brands in innovative ways while honoring the invaluable contributions the AAPI community has made to American fashion.”
Located in New York’s Meatpacking District, Genesis House offers a unique blend of Korean culture, culinary excellence, and innovative architecture and technology. The lifestyle space boasts a Korean-inspired ambiance and features the Showroom, Restaurant, and Cellar Stage, offering guests a multifaceted experience influenced by Korean heritage.