The CFDA, in association with Lexus, is all set to launch their third edition of the CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative, designed to inculcate a more sustainable mindset towards business development and manufacturing processes for fashion labels and brands.
Dubbed as the CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative 3.0, the program provides education and mentorship to designers and brands, supported by awards generously underwritten by Lexus. Small to medium-scale designers and brands dealing in both or either men’s and/or womenswear apparel and accessories (not including jewellery), are invited to apply for the opportunity to participate in a nine-month long virtual residency program.
Five selected brands will then take part in the 2018-2019 edition which will commence from October 2018.
Selected candidates will then be mentored on how to navigate fashion’s complex supply chain and make informed, strategic designs by making use of the Triple Bottom Line approach – i.e. valuing people, planet, and profit holistically.
Generously underwritten by Lexus, the candidates will be eligible for milestone awards totaling US $ 100,000, at the beginning of the program, to advance their tangible goals. At the conclusion of the program, the brand with the most visionary, viable and impactful strategic blueprint for a positive future will be awarded a Lexus Grand Prize of US $ 80,000.
The primary goal of the initiative is to facilitate quantifiable steps to measurable progress thereby furthering American fashion’s journey to sustainability.
“We continue to invest in the future of our industry through education and by encouraging innovation in sustainability. Sustainability is a core pillar of our work and the partnership with Lexus on the CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative allows us to do this and guide designers toward a sustainable future.” President and Chief Executive Officer of the CFDA, Steven Kolb, said.
The finalists for the 2017-2018 edition included Nicole Heim & Chelsea Healy for CIENNE, Marcia Patmos for M.PATMOS, Sue Stemp and Paud Roche for ST. ROCHE, Whitney Pozgay & Parker Argote for WHIT, with the top honors going to Abrima Erwaih & Rosario Dawson for STUDIO ONE EIGHTY NINE.
Founded in 2013, STUDIO ONE EIGHTY NINE, headquartered in Ghana, West Africa and the U.S., works to promote, develop and curate African and African-inspired content and brands through worldwide distribution and manufacturing of its private label artisan produced collection which helps in supporting artisanal design communities in Africa.
