The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the 10 finalists for the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund on June 2.
Widely regarded as one of the fashion industry’s most prestigious talent development initiatives, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund supports emerging American designers through financial awards, mentorship opportunities, and business guidance aimed at accelerating long-term growth.
Summary
- CFDA reveals the 10 finalists for the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund
- George Inaki of Milamore, a fine jewelry brand rooted in Japanese craftsmanship, is among this year’s finalists
- The winner will receive $300,000, while two runners-up will each receive $100,000
- Humane World for Animals joins this year’s program as the Design Challenge partner
- Finalists will take part in the Material Innovation Challenge, focusing on innovative bio-based textiles
- The winner will be announced at a gala dinner in New York City on October 20
2026 Finalists
The 10 finalists selected for this year’s program are:
- Aisling Camps
- Amir Taghi
- Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch TONGTONG
- Emily Dawn Long
- Jamie Haller
- Julia Ferentinos of Juju Vera
- Zane Li of Lii
- George Inaki of Milamore
- Claire Sullivan of Miss Claire Sullivan
- Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen
The winner will receive $300,000, while two runners-up will each be awarded $100,000. All finalists will also benefit from ongoing business mentorship and industry support throughout the program.
Among the Finalists: Milamore’s Japanese Craftsmanship
Among this year’s finalists, George Inaki’s fine jewelry brand Milamore stands out for its deep connection to Japanese craftsmanship.
Founded in New York in 2019, Milamore operates under the philosophy “Designed in New York, Handcrafted in Japan.” The brand’s name combines the founder’s grandmother’s name, Milagros, with the Italian word “Amore,” meaning love.
With Filipino, Spanish, and Japanese heritage, Inaki launched the brand after building a career in public relations and branding in Tokyo. Milamore is particularly known for its Kintsugi-inspired jewelry collections, drawing from the traditional Japanese art of repairing broken objects with gold. The brand’s core philosophy, “Mended, Not Broken,” celebrates resilience, transformation, and the beauty of imperfection.
Milamore has operated between New York and Japan since its founding, creating fine jewelry that showcases Japanese craftsmanship through a contemporary lens. Its inclusion among this year’s finalists highlights the continued relevance of heritage craftsmanship within an increasingly global and innovation-driven fashion industry.
Industry Leaders Join the Selection Committee
This year’s Selection Committee includes Aurora James, Chloe Malle, Nicole Phelps, Christopher John Rogers, Denise Magid, Eva Chen, Paloma Elsesser, Thom Browne, and Yumi Shin.
The committee also welcomes Chloe Malle, Denise Magid, Yumi Shin, and Christopher John Rogers as new members this year.
Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA, commented: “The 2026 finalists reflect the depth of talent and creativity emerging across American fashion today. Their unique perspectives and strong sense of purpose represent the future of our industry. We are also excited to welcome Chloe Malle, Denise Magid, Yumi Shin, and Christopher John Rogers to this year’s Selection Committee, whose expertise and perspectives will help guide and support the next generation of fashion leaders.”
Nicole Phelps, Global Director of Vogue Runway and Vogue Business, added: “As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, this year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists are a timely reminder about the diversity, resourcefulness, and deep creativity of our homegrown talent.”
A New Sustainability Challenge
This year, Humane World for Animals joins the program as the Design Challenge partner.
Finalists will participate in the Material Innovation Challenge, which focuses on innovative bio-based materials and aims to encourage more sustainable and cruelty-free practices across the fashion industry.
Winner to Be Announced in October
The first round of designer presentations will take place on June 10, followed by a celebratory cocktail event hosted by Vogue and the CFDA in partnership with Nordstrom.
The 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner will be announced at a gala dinner in New York City on October 20.
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