The CFDA/Vogue Fund Nominees

The Council of Fashion Designers of America teams up with Vogue every year to find the most talented up and coming new designers who ultimately compete for a fund to help their businesses. The winner of the fund not only receives money but also invaluable mentorship and plenty of mentions in Vogue. Last year's winner was Rogan Gregory of Rogan, who now has a Target GO collection in stores. This year's finalists are Albertus Q. Swanepoel, a milliner, Alejandro Ingelmo, a shoe designer, Alexander Wang, a womenswear designer, Irene Neuwirth, a jewelry designer, Jason Wu, a womenswear designer, Juan Carlos Obando, a womenswear designer, Obedient Sons & Daughters, a menswear design duo that recently expanded in to womenswear, John Patrick Organic, a women and menswear designer, Richard Chai, a womenswear designer, and Vena Cava, a womenswear label. To learn more about the designers, as well as see work from them, click

Albertus Q. Swanepoel

Albertus Swanepoel was an award winning clothing designer in his native South Africa, until he moved to New York and began focusing on accessories. He enrolled in night classes at F.I.T. and has since had his hats displayed on the runways of Thakoon, Proenza Schouler, Betsey Johnson, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. He also sells his own line of men's hats.

Alejandro Ingelmo

Alejandro Ingelmo's family has a history of shoemaking. So it was only natural that, after studying at Parsons, he would take over his great grandfather's company and make it a celebrity favorite.

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang went to New York to study at Parsons at 18, but ended up dropping out to do his first collection sophomore year. Since then he has had tremendous success with his company.

Irene Neuwirth

Irene Neuwirth began making necklaces for herself in college, and upon realizing their popularity founded her company. Since then her jewelry has popped up on legions of celebrities, recently on Angelina Jolie when she debuted her baby bump at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Jason Wu

Jason Wu was born in Taipei but has also lived in Vancouver, Paris, and Tokyo. In his senior year of high school he decided to become a designer, and went to New York to study at Parsons. His first collection was S/S 2007.

Juan Carlos Obando

Juan Carlos Obando accomplished an amazing feat last season when he showed his collection, entirely sewn by hand himself. He debuted at LA fashion week in 2004 and signaled hope for what was generally a bleak roster of collections.

Obedient Sons & Daughters

Obedient Sons was founded in San Francisco in 2002 by Swaim Hutson. In 2006 he relocated to New York to relaunch the brand. In 2007 his wife Christina became co-designer andthey began incorporating womenswear into their line.

John Patrick Organic

John Patrick wants the world to think green. And he makes it a lot easier with his effortless designs, made out of organic cotton he grows himself and recycled wool. He uses all natural dyes that do not harm the environment and operates factories all over the world. His tank tops have already been featured in Vogue.
Richard Chai

Richard Chai debuted his line in 2004 after designing for Marc Jacobs and TSE. He has been critically acclaimed ever since. His much anticipated line for Target's GO collection comes to stores next month.

Rogan

Rogan Gregory manages three lines, including EDUN, an ethically concious line backed by Bono & his wife. He was the last designer to do a Target GO collection.

Vena Cava

California natives Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock went to Parsons and almost immediately after graduating began working on their first collection. They've been showing for five years now and have developed quite a following.

The winner is announced on November 17th. In the mean time, keep your eyes peeled out for all of them!
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