The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue have announced the ten finalists for the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and the cohort is one of the most geographically and aesthetically diverse in the program’s history. From New York to Los Angeles, from eveningwear to gender-fluid streetwear, the finalists collectively paint a portrait of American fashion that is no longer tethered to a single silhouette or sensibility.
This year’s finalists include Aisling Camps, whose sculptural tailoring draws on Irish linen traditions reimagined for the modern wardrobe; Amir Taghi, whose precise, architectural silhouettes have earned a devoted following in Los Angeles; and Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch TongTong, whose fantastical, inflatable forms have made him one of the most talked-about designers on social media. Emily Dawn Long’s namesake label offers soft tailoring with a distinctly feminine ease, while Jamie Haller approaches knitwear as a sculptural medium rather than a seasonal category.
What unites this group, despite their stylistic differences, is a shared commitment to craft over speed. Several finalists spoke during the presentation about deliberately scaling their businesses slowly, choosing to remain direct-to-consumer rather than chasing wholesale growth. At a moment when the industry is questioning the pace of the traditional fashion calendar, these designers are offering an alternative model — one built on intentionality rather than volume.
The winner, who will receive a $300,000 grant and mentorship from industry leaders, will be announced later this year. But as the CFDA and Vogue have long understood, the real value of the Fashion Fund extends far beyond the prize money. For the nine runners-up, inclusion in the program unlocks doors — to retailers, to manufacturers, to a network of support that can transform a promising start-up into a lasting brand. These ten names are worth remembering.
