CFDA Announces New Fashion Incubator Designers
Welcome to CFDA: The New Class.
The Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA) has selected the new batch of designers participating in its Fashion Incubator program for the 2012-2014 period: Christian Cota, Benjamin and Doug Burkman of Burkman Bros, Emanuela Duca, Reece Solomon of Reece Hudson, Timo Weiland and Alan Eckstein of Timo Weiland, Arielle Shapiro of Ari Dein, Antonio Azzuolo, Maayan Zilberman and Nikki Dekker of The Lake & Stars, Luis M. Fernandez of Number: Lab, and Ricky Hendry and Marc Daniels of Isaora.
Come May, these up-and-comers will move into the Fashion Incubator studios at 209 West 38th Street in NYC, where they’ll receive studio space, mentoring, educational seminars, and networking opportunities to help them expand their business and “reach their full potential and become an integral part of the New York Fashion community.”
“It is very promising for the fashion industry that there is such a deep and diverse pool of talented and hard-working designers,” CFDA Deputy Director Lisa Smilor says in a press statement. “We look forward to providing meaningful educational opportunities with the industry’s leading experts to support their efforts.”
Target is also lending its support by underwriting the initiative.
“The CFDA has played a significant role in shaping the industry’s most celebrated designers, many of whom have found a home at Target,” says Trish Adams, senior vice president of apparel and accessories for the retailer. “By continuing our sponsorship of the Fashion Incubator, Target is helping the CFDA offer the rising stars of tomorrow an opportunity to further hone their craft and develop the business acumen needed to be successful in a highly competitive marketplace.”
The proof is in the pudding: Prabal Gurung and Bibhu Mohapatra were among the designers involved in the inaugural Fashion Incubator.
