{{Short description|American trade association}} {{Infobox organization | name = Council of Fashion Designers of America | logo = Council of Fashion Designers of America logo.svg | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | abbreviation = CFDA | formation = {{start date and age|1962}} | founder = Eleanor Lambert | type = Trade association | status = Nonprofit organization | purpose = To strengthen the impact of American fashion in the global economy | location = Manhattan, New York City | fields = Fashion | num_members = 428 | num_members_year = 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members |url=https://cfda.com/members/ |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=CFDA |language=en-US}}</ref> | leader_title = Chairman | leader_name = Thom Browne | leader_title2 = CEO | leader_name2 = Steven Kolb | leader_title3 = President | leader_name3 = | website = {{URL|https://cfda.com/}} }} The '''Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc.''' ('''CFDA'''), founded in 1962 by publicist Eleanor Lambert,<ref name="Founding">{{cite web |last1=Nemy |first1=Enid |title=Eleanor Lambert, Empress of Fashion, Dies at 100 |url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/08/nyregion/eleanor-lambert-empress-of-fashion-dies-at-100.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=29 December 2019 |date=8 October 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508150250/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/08/nyregion/eleanor-lambert-empress-of-fashion-dies-at-100.html| archive-date=8 May 2023}}</ref> and headquartered in Manhattan, is a not-for-profit trade association comprising a membership of over 370 American fashion and accessory designers. The organization promotes American designers' participation in the global economy.

In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization develops future American design talent through scholarships and resources in colleges, and postgraduate schools. The CFDA also provides funding and business opportunities for working designers. Through the CFDA Foundation, the organization engages in various charitable activities.

==History== The first president of the CFDA was Sydney Wragge (1962–1965).<ref name=History>{{Cite web|url=http://cfda.com/about/history|title=History|last=CFDA|website=CFDA|access-date=2016-03-08}}</ref> Founding members included Bill Blass, Donald Brooks, Betty Carol, Jane Derby, Luis Estevez, David Evins, Rudi Gernreich, Helen Lee, Bud Kilpatrick, Jean Louis, John Moore, Norman Norell, Sylvia Pedlar, Sarmi, Arnold Scaasi, Adele Simpson, Gustave Tassell, Pauline Trigère, Sydney Wragge, and Ben Zuckerman.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry|last1=Sterlacci|first1=Francesca|last2=Arbuckle|first2=Joanne|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2017|isbn=9781442239098|pages=125–126}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.apparelsearch.com/names/c/cfda/council_of_fashion_designers_of_america_cfda.html|title=The Council of Fashion Designers of America - CFDA|website=Apparel Search|access-date=2019-12-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/fashion/luis-estevez-a-cfda-loss.html|title=Luis Estévez, a CFDA Loss|url-access=subscription|last=Jacobs|first=Alexandra|date=2015-05-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-12-02|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Diane von Furstenberg served as chairman for 13 years from 2006 until 2019, followed by Tom Ford, who served for three years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Ford to Head CFDA as New Chairman |url=https://www.complex.com/style/2019/03/tom-ford-head-cfda-new-chairman |access-date=2019-12-02 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> As of January 2023, Thom Browne is the group's chairman. Steven Kolb has been the CEO and President since 2006.

==CFDA Fashion Awards== {{Main|CFDA Fashion Awards}} The CFDA Fashion Awards were founded in 1980 with the first awards given in 1981. They honor and showcase excellence in fashion design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Everyone Who Took Home a Trophy at the 2019 CFDA Awards |url=https://www.instyle.com/awards-events/red-carpet/cfda-awards/2019-cfda-award-winners |access-date=2020-03-30 |website=InStyle.com |language=en |quote=CFDA Awards. It all started back in 1980, and now, almost 40 years later, the show is still going strong.}}</ref> They have been sometimes referred to as "the Oscars of fashion".<ref>{{cite web |date=2013-06-04 |title=The CFDA Fashion Awards: The 'Oscars of fashion' |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/04/living/gallery/cfda-fashion-awards/ |work=CNN}}</ref><ref>thedailybeast.com [http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2009/06/15/the-oscars-of-fashion.html CFDA awards, the Oscars of fashion] 2009/06/15</ref> In 1997, the CFDA Fashion Awards began including emerging designers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1996-02-06 |title=Fashion Council Reaches a Crossroads |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1996/02/06/024767.html?pageNumber=20 |access-date=2020-03-31 |website=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="OpensDoor2">{{Cite web |date=1997-12-09 |title=Designers' Council Opens Door a Bit |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1997/12/09/511595.html?pageNumber=44 |access-date=2020-03-31 |website=The New York Times |page=14 |language=en}}</ref>

Nominations are submitted by the Fashion Guild, a group of over 1,500 CFDA members including fashion editors, retailers, and stylists.<ref name="CFDA Annual Report2">{{cite web |title=2008 Annual Report |url=http://cfda.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2008-annual-report.pdf |access-date=2015-07-17 |work=Cfda.org}}</ref> Award winners are determined by vote and announced at an annual black tie event held in Manhattan.

Since 2022 , Amazon Fashion is the presenting sponsor of the event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lockwood |first=Lisa |date=2022-06-07 |title=The 2022 CFDA Awards to Be Sponsored by Amazon Fashion |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/2022-cfda-awards-sponsor-amazon-fashion-1235196622/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CFDA |url=https://cfda.com/news/the-winners-of-the-2023-cfda-fashion-awards-presented-by-amazon-fashion |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=cfda.com|date=7 November 2023 }}</ref>

==Programs== {{Cleanup|section|reason=heavily lacks program descriptions|date=June 2025}}

The CFDA pursues a range of programs aimed at designers, students, at the industry at large.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Programs |url=https://cfda.com/programs/ |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=CFDA |language=en-US}}</ref>

Current and recent programs include:

For Designers:

* CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund * CFDA | Genesis Aouse AAPI Design + Innovation Grant * CFDA x eBay Circular Fashion Fund * Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award

For Students:

* The CFDA Scholarship Fund includES the Veronica Beard Creative Futures Scholarship and The Geoffrey Beene Award among others. Past recipients include Peter Do (2013), Michelle Ochs (2006) AND Jack Mcollough (20010.

===CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund=== The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was established to help emerging designers and cultivate the next generation of American fashion talent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pusateri |first=Catie |date=2025-06-03 |title=Meet the 2025 CFDA/'Vogue' Fashion Fund Finalists |url=https://fashionista.com/2025/06/2025-cfda-vogue-fashion-fund-finalists |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=Fashionista |language=en}}</ref>

=== Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award === Established in 2024, the CFDA partners with Tiffany & Co. for the stated purpose of recognizing and uplifting outstanding American jewelry designers who are committed to driving inclusivity with the design industry. Awarded recipients are selected by a committee of industry experts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A New Award Aims to Encourage American Jewelry Design |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/28/fashion/jewelry-designer-award-tiffany-cfda.html |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times|date=28 August 2024 |last1=Felder |first1=Rachel }}</ref>

===Fashion Manufacturing Initiative=== The Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) is an investment fund to help revitalize New York City's garment industry. The program offers matching financial grants to New York City's fashion manufacturing production facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fashion Manufacturing Initiative |url=https://cfda.com/resources/supply-chain-manufacturing/fashion-manufacturing-initiative/ |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=CFDA |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Fashion Targets Breast Cancer=== Fashion Targets Breast Cancer® (FTBC), a charitable initiative of the CFDA/CFDA Foundation, seeks to raise public awareness and funds for the breast cancer cause.

The Fashion Targets Breast Cancer name and symbol were created by Ralph Lauren and subsequently entrusted to the CFDA Foundation. FTBC was first presented in the U.S. in the spring of 1994 during New York Fashion Week, and was formally launched in September 1994 at a special White House reception hosted by then-First Lady Hillary Clinton. During this initial campaign, 400,000 FTBC shirts were sold, raising $2 million to benefit the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Health at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Medical Center.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.3blmedia.com/News/Chambord-Announce-Partnership-Iconic-Designer-Betsey-Johnson-and-Fashion-Targets-Breast-Cancer|title=Chambord Announce Partnership with the Iconic Designer Betsey Johnson and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer During October|last=Corporation|first=Brown-Forman|website=www.3blmedia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref>

Since 2011, the council has led an annual campaign to promote the initiative and partners with well known fashion icons. In 2017, Fabletics partnered with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer to produce an activewear collection. A portion of all sales for the collection would be donated to target breast cancer screening and treatment.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://stylecaster.com/kate-hudson-fabletics-breast-cancer-awareness-collection/%7C |title=Kate Hudson Launches Breast Cancer Awareness Collection with Fabletics| author=Eli Flesch| publisher=Stylecaster| access-date=December 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://beta.latimes.com/fashion/la-ig-wwd-kate-hudson-breast-cancer-fabletics-collection-20170927-story.html%7C| title=Kate Hudson unveils CFDA and Fabletics' Fashion Targets Breast Cancer collection| author=Marcy Medina| date=September 27, 2017| work=Los Angeles Times| access-date=December 10, 2017}}{{dead link|date=April 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> == Publications == CFDA publications include:

* ''American Fashion Home'' * ''American Travel'' *{{Cite book|title=American Fashion|last=Scheips|first=Charlie|publisher=Assouline Publishing|others=Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)|year=2007|isbn=978-2759401611|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OlHmPQAACAAJ}} *{{Cite book|last1=Hastreiter|first1=Kim|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=43oMOAAACAAJ|title=Geoffrey Beene: An American Fashion Rebel|last2=Beene|first2=Geoffrey|publisher=Assouline Publishing|year=2008|isbn=9782759402663}} *{{Cite book|last1=Pratts Price|first1=Candy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqoLOAAACAAJ|title=American Fashion Accessories|last2=Glasscock|first2=Jessica|last3=Tavee|first3=Art|publisher=Assouline Publishing|others=Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)|year=2008|isbn=9782759402861}} *{{Cite book|last1=Marsh|first1=Lisa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5E1gPgAACAAJ|title=American Fashion Cookbook|last2=Stewart|first2=Martha|publisher=Assouline Publisher|others=Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)|year=2009|isbn=9782759404056}} *{{Cite book|last=Bryan|first=Robert E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o2g6PgAACAAJ|title=American Fashion Menswear|publisher=Assouline Publishing|year=2009|isbn=9782759404094}} *{{Cite book|last=Suqi|first=Rima A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z2XQSAAACAAJ|title=American Fashion Designers at Home|publisher=Assouline Publishing|others=Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)|year=2010|isbn=9782759404711}} *{{Cite book|title=IMPACT: 50 Years of the CFDA|last=Mears|first=Patricia|publisher=Harry N. Abrams|others=Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)|year=2012|isbn=978-1419702310|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C1nXXwAACAAJ}} *{{Cite book|title=The Pursuit of Style: Advice and Musings from America's Top Fashion Designers|last1=Von Furstenberg|first1=Diane|publisher=Harry N. Abrams|others=Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)|year=2014|isbn=978-1419706219|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uHFYAwAAQBAJ|first2=Jessica|last2=Alba}} *{{Cite book|title=Designers on Instagram: #fashion|last1=Systrom|first1=Kevin|publisher=Harry N. Abrams|others=Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)|year=2015|isbn=978-1419715587|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ps7GBwAAQBAJ|first2=Steven|last2=Kolb}} *{{Cite book|title=American Runway: 75 Years of Fashion and the Front Row|last=Moore|first=Booth|publisher=Harry N. Abrams|others=Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)|year=2018|isbn=978-1419726484|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1r5ADwAAQBAJ}}

{{portal|fashion|New York City|New York (state)|United States|North America}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|https://cfda.com/}}

{{Authority control}} {{Coord|40.726267|-73.995138|display=title}}

Category:Arts organizations established in 1962 Category:Fashion organizations Category:Organizations based in Manhattan Category:Arts organizations based in New York City Category:1962 establishments in New York City Category:Trade associations based in the United States Category:Arts and media trade groups