The CFDA and Vogue, along with Tommy Hilfiger, celebrated the 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Design Challenge at the Warren Street Hotel on Wednesday night.
Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund awards, the CFDA and Vogue decided to bring back the Design Challenge, which hadn’t been done since 2019. The legacy program is supported by the Tommy Hilfiger brand, and Hilfiger serves as the lead mentor to the 10 finalists.
Among those who came out to celebrate were Maria Cornejo, Joseph Altuzarra, Evan Mock, Hillary Taymour, Victor Glemaud, Tanner Richie, Fletcher Kasell, Jonathan Cohen, and Derek Blasberg.
Tommy Hilfiger and Thom Browne
Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com
According to Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA, the Design Challenge, held in a suite at the hotel before the cocktail party, is one stop on the journey of the five-month program. Hilfiger gave the finalists an assignment and the idea was “Stripes and Stars.” Each of the 10 finalists were given $10,000 to put together a look inspired by the theme, and the designers came to the party with a muse wearing the look. There are no winners of the Design Challenge. “It’s really just a way to see what they can do with an idea,” said Kolb.
For the overall competition, the winner and the two runners-up of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award will be revealed next week. The winner will receive $300,000, while the runners-up will receive $100,000 each. All finalists will receive business mentorship. The winners are being voted on Friday morning and will be revealed at a dinner Wednesday. As part of the competition, designers had to present five looks to the judges over the summer, and the judges went to their fashion shows and did studio visits.
This year’s finalists are Taylor Thompson of 5000; Connor McKnight; Grace Ling; Kate Barton; Dynasty and Soull Ogun of L’Enchanteur; Spencer Phipps of Phipps; Presley Oldham; Sebastien and Marianne Amisial of Sebastien Ami; Jane Wade, and Jackson Wiederhoeft of Wiederhoeft.
Oldham said the experience was wonderful. “As a jewelry designer, I wanted to bring it into jewelry,” he said. He designed a halter top for his muse Louise Jacobson of baroque string pearls, diamonds and moonstones, and the earrings were shooting stars. Grace Ling‘s muse was wearing a tailored black blazer closed with a long, sculptural metallic pin. Ling said it was the right moment to do a power suit.
“There is tremendous talent in the room,” said Hilfiger. “I love mentoring and I love being part of it. I’ve been on the board of the CFDA for over 30 years, many of you guys were not yet born. Never give up, keep plugging away, and we look forward to seeing which one of you will be the lucky winner next week.”