CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

I am a Vogue subscriber and once a week, I get emails from Caroline Palmer, editor of Vogue.com. This week, I got an email talking about the Council of Fashions Designers of America /Vogue Fashion Fund, which was established seven years ago to support emerging American fashion designers in building their businesses.

Many hopeful designers have competed for one of the highly regarded, career-making awards, which provide financial support, and mentorship from industry professionals. A couple of months ago, Vogue selected the 10 finalists for the 2010 Fashion Fund from hundreds of applicants.

For the first time, there will be a Fashion Fund series and readers can follow along as the contestants go to appointments, meetings, and work through the high-stress challenges put forth by the judging committee, which includes Vogue's Anna Wintour, famed fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg, and Jenna Lyons of J.Crew.

As of yesterday, Tuesday, Oct. 12, Vogue is going to air one new episode of the Fashion Fund series each week until the winner is revealed in New York in mid-November.

For someone that is really interested in fashion and what it entails, like myself, I think that this is a really neat opportunity to get to see what it actually takes to be a fashion designer and how dedicated and passionate you really have to be to succeed in this business.

Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, has become an institution throughout the fashion world, widely praised for her eye for fashion trends and her support for young designers. (www.wikipedia.com) Diane Von Furstenber is a widely known fashion designer, known for her colorful wrap dresses. Jenna Lyons is the president of J.Crew. Before recently becoming president, she was head creative director of the brand and not only helped it become a multi-million dollar mass retailer but gave J.Crew fashion credibility with their timeless, contemporary pieces. (www.style.com)

I am excited to see what advice Anna Wintour, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Jenna Lyons have to offer these contestants. They have been around in the fashion world for some time and their opinions are truly admired by many fashion followers.

For more information on the contestants of the 2010 Fashion Fund, visit Fashion Fund contestants and to watch the first episode of the series visit Videos