How to win the CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund: Be wealthy and well-connected

[LagerfeldBoy]

I was reading this post on ONTD about the winners of last night's CFDA awards

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/73493935.html

It basically talks about the 3 winners coming from rich backgrounds. I don't really follow the CFDA awards that much, but I find it a bit absurd that the winners already have the funds to further their business. Yes, they're all talented (I adore Tabitha Simmons), but they honestly don't need the funds. Isn't the sole purpose of the CFDA to help upcoming designers that don't have the funds to help them establish themselves in the industry? What do you guys think.

 

[ALAUU]

I was actually thinking the same thing. I mean, Tabitha Simmons is one of the most influential stylists in the world. If she wanted to she could get tons of investors she could do it in a heartbeat. The same is true of Jennifer Meyer Maguire. She's well-connected with the Hollywood crowd. The whole reason people know of her is because she gets all of her famous friends to wear her jewelry. What is $100,000 really going to do for her when she's already gotten so much publicity? I'm not saying they aren't talented because they are, but there are so many designers struggling to make a name for themselves and get some money to put their collections together. Was it really necessarily for three wealthy, well-connected people to enter this contest even if it was just for the prestige? It could've gone to someone who really needed it.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I don't know a whole lot about Tabitha ... I have seen her work well represented in stores this past season. But Jennifer Meyer ... come on. I don't understand at all what she needs this for.

What are the criteria to apply? Maybe that's part of the problem.

But there is a bit of a judgment call where just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

Maybe they need another "Yes, you've already made it" rung that conveys some sort of honor that can be dropped into people's bios, but without the money

 

[ALAUU]

^ Tabitha has styled for Vogue for many years. She styles for big brands. Her husband is Craig McDean. I mean, really, what more connections does she need? Another thing I don't understand is that her shoes are sold at top stores, so why in the world did she even apply for this award? For the glory? I would imagine that the whole point of the award is to propel designers who don't have much money let alone fame. But if you're already selling your stuff in the best stores, why bother with it?

 

[isa.b.elle.]

^you're absolutely right about Tabitha i like her shoes but she def doesn't need more connections or founds.. personally i was rooting for Giulietta

 

[Scott]

so you have to apply for an award instead of simply being nominated for it by the media or whatever? to me that just seems rather disingenuous of the cfda. it takes away the prestige. and if what you guys say is true about simmons,that's disgusting to me. it's really nothing short of chasing after an award for your own narcissism.

truth be told the CFDA has lost its merit to me anyway. they usually go for the same established people every year or some hyped up flavor of the month,at the awards,so why would they not be so against this for the fund? that way the the "correct" people get it.

 

[fashionista-ta]

Here's the official site with an explanation of the process, application, and benefits: http://cfda.com/programs/the-cfdavogue-fashion-fund

Since it isn't just an award but a mentoring process, I understand there being an application ... the designer needs to indicate willingness to participate. It's not like an Oscar ...

 

[loladonna]

This part of the eligibility made me laugh.

must be a designer of demonstrable talent: i.e., have garnered substantial and recent editorial coverage, and have support (i.e., orders) from key retailers;

Honestly if you're at the point in the game where you're being feature in Vogue and have major retailers carrying your line you probably don't need this fund.

Its like a catch-22. A new label is more likely to be featured in editorials and picked up by major retailers if the designer has connections or friends in the industry.

If the award is not actually going to designers who need funding and mentoring then it is pointless. As it stands the CFDA fund is nothing more than a way for friends of the industry to tack a "legitimate" award to their resume.

 

[Scott]

so where in that is this substantial coverage of the elder statesman? i've never even heard of the guy nor the label. and truth told,i had a gander at what he does and frankly i don't get what was award-worthy about it. to be honest it should have been somebody a little more design-oriented on a full scale.

anyway,that's what i don't understand--how is that significant to financial support? editorials don't pay and they certainly don't automatically equate to sales. to me that should be a moot point.

 

[loladonna]

so where in that is this substantial coverage of the elder statesman? i've never even heard of the guy nor the label. and truth told,i had a gander at what he does and frankly i don't get what was award-worthy about it. to be honest it should have been somebody a little more design-oriented on a full scale.

anyway,that's what i don't understand--how is that significant to financial support? editorials don't pay and they certainly don't automatically equate to sales. to me that should be a moot point.

Maybe they were counting the coverage Elder Statesman-dude got when he was the CEO of Tsubi jeans and making 27 million per year (according to the article in the OP).

I think "Editorial coverage" is code for: You need to already be known and liked by fashion insiders. How else can you easily schmooze with all the editors, designers and celebs on hand at the CFDA parties?

 

[Scott]

it's really sad. i mean it's really become a have and have not environment in the american fashion sphere. i mean if you're not from money,clinging to vogue-ites or competing on reality shows,you're a nobody in this world. and we've adapted to that horrendously small-minded tagline "one day your in one day your out" mantra. no wonder so many our exceptionally talented smaller designers like miguel adrover have been in and out of the business so much. no wonder even more talented designers like the bruce girls and susan cianciolo aren't in business anymore.

you know going back to the criteria though,most awards even with a financial prize like this tend to nominate rather than apply. that's what i find so odd about this.

 

[williscrazy]

I don't get the point of needing to mentor when these winner/runner up are already well prepared for this industry. I thought the point of mentoring is to get the new designer to become familiar with both design and business aspects of this industry... Can we assume that the judges are just lazy and want to avoid the need to mentor the winner/runner up, because frankly these winners/runner ups don't need much mentoring since they have stellar connection and can survive this industry using those connections.
Also I thought the money should go to new emerging designers who actually need it and will use it to increase their business map.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

The winners of this year's fashion fund are a joke. I can't believe this is the kind of work our fashion community thinks requires support.

 

[BetteT]

I think the common consensus that this is an award for design, is actually incorrect. Just read the requirements and what they are looking for in the application. It seems to be more about taking an existing small business to a higher level than helping a talented designer.


It's clear to me that the designer's business plans in addition to the the company's structure and poductivity are the primary factors, when deciding the top 10. The awards will benefit a few small businesses who show that they can use the money to take the next step to grow further.

It doesn't honor talent ... it honors business savy.

 

[LagerfeldBoy]

I think the common consensus that this is an award for design, is actually incorrect. Just read the requirements and what they are looking for in the application. It seems to be more about taking an existing small business to a higher level than helping a talented designer.


It's clear to me that the designer's business plans in addition to the the company's structure and poductivity are the primary factors, when deciding the top 10. The awards will benefit a few small businesses who show that they can use the money to take the next step to grow further.

It doesn't honor talent ... it honors business savy.

Which is what these people don't need. Yes, the recognition seems right on point, but they all have the funds to further their business. I wouldn't be up in arms about this if it weren't for the money factor. That's what irks me. They just don't need it. I just feel awful for all the promising new talent that could've benefitted from it. Sigh, oh well.