Winner to join Studio Smithfield’s second-year program alongside UK designers
The Paul Smith Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) have announced a new partnership to offer one U.S.-based designer a place in the Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield in London. The program’s second-year cohort will include six UK-based designers alongside the American recipient.
The initiative provides the winner with a 400-square-foot studio space for 12 months, supported by Projekt, as well as mentoring from industry leaders, business-planning training, visa and travel support, and a living stipend. The aim is to develop creative talent through practical guidance, drawing on Sir Paul Smith’s decades of industry experience.
Applications open on August 14, 2025, with shortlisted candidates interviewed in New York this September by a panel including Sir Paul Smith, CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, and CFDA Vice President Sara Kozlowski. The selection reflects the UK–US partnership and a shared commitment to fostering sustainable creative businesses at a time of reduced arts funding.