11 Emerging Designers Selected to Redefine the Future of American Fashion
Now in its 21st year, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund remains one of the most influential platforms for emerging American designers. Created in the aftermath of 9/11 to support independent fashion talent, the Fund offers not only a significant financial boost — $300,000 to the winner and $100,000 each to two runners-up, but also a year-long mentorship with industry leaders. What began as a lifeline has since become a career-defining honor, launching names like Proenza Schouler, Christopher John Rogers, and Telfar into the spotlight.
The 2025 selection committee includes CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, Vogue’s Anna Wintour, Mark Holgate, and Nicole Phelps; Eva Chen, head of fashion partnerships at Instagram; Aurora James, founder of Brother Vellies and the Fifteen Percent Pledge; Paloma Elsesser; Rickie De Sole, fashion director at Nordstrom; Roopal Patel, SVP of fashion at Saks; Thom Browne, CFDA chairman; and Zac Posen, EVP and creative director at Gap Inc. and Old Navy.
This year’s class reflects the shifting face of American fashion — a diverse group spanning women’s wear, men’s wear, jewelry, and accessories. Many have carved their paths through resilience, reinvention, and a deep commitment to storytelling through craft. Here’s a closer look at the 2025 finalists redefining what it means to be an American designer:
- Ashlynn Park – Ashlyn
Formerly a pattern maker at Yohji Yamamoto and Alexander Wang, Park launched her namesake label in 2020 from her basement, utilizing leftover fabrics during the pandemic. Based in New York and originally from Seoul, her brand balances precision tailoring with emotional storytelling. “When I can’t communicate my feelings in English,” she says, “I do it through clothes.”
- Julian Louie – Aubero
With a background in architecture and a fashion past that includes a Protegé Project with Francisco Costa, Louie’s second act with Aubero leans into quiet materiality. His designs—often made from scraps—are intensely iterative, emphasizing evolution over spectacle.
- Bach Mai – Bach Mai
A self-described Capricorn with couture ambitions, Mai’s résumé includes stints at Oscar de la Renta and assisting John Galliano in Paris. Known for his romantic silhouettes and sculptural gowns, Mai describes his brand as one of “irreverent glamour” with an emphasis on craftsmanship.
- Bernard James – Bernard James
A Brooklyn-based fine jewelry designer, James launched his label in 2020, creating deeply personal pieces that blur the lines between heirloom and art. “I’m a Cancer, so I design from a very emotional place,” he says. His work reflects a sense of community, sentiment, and meticulous detail.
- Ashley Moubayed – Don’t Let Disco
What began as a beading hobby in college evolved into a full-fledged brand that seamlessly fuses storytelling with vintage upcycling. A former marketer at Sotheby’s, Moubayed’s Don’t Let Disco is rooted in nostalgia and craftsmanship—its name is a wink to holding on to moments that matter.
- Gabe Gordon & Timothy Gibbons – Gabe Gordon
This Brooklyn-based duo merges textile obsession with theatrical flair. Gordon, a RISD alum, started the brand solo while still in school. Gibbons, a Central Saint Martins grad with a costume background, joined later. Their joyful, referential world has earned a cult following—and celebrity endorsements.
- Stephanie Suberville – Heirlome
A Parsons alum and former designer at Rag & Bone and Elizabeth and James, Suberville’s brand blends Mexican artisan craft with contemporary design. Now juggling her label with a creative director role at Argent, she keeps her brand grounded in self-funding, slow growth, and sustainability.
- Jamie Okuma – Jamie Okuma
Proudly the first Native American designer to be named a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, Okuma merges fine art, cultural heritage, and fashion into singular, meaningful garments. With roots in Pow Wow regalia and miniature sculptures, her pieces often begin with beadwork and evolve into wearable, statement-making pieces.
- Meruert Tolegen – Meruert Tolegen
Initially trained in the sciences, Tolegen pivoted to fashion after motherhood. Her Kazakh heritage, background in research, and fascination with fabric construction define her romantic, couture-like womenswear. “A brand can only survive on whim and luck for so long,” she says. “After that, it needs a business plan.”
- Peter Do – Peter Do
Already a cult figure in fashion circles, Do’s namesake label is known for its technical sharpness and minimalism. Following a high-profile tenure as creative director at Helmut Lang, Do returns to his label with a clearer vision and a small team. This marks his first application to the Fund, seeking support to scale.
