The CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund has been reimagined this year to not only award prizes to the top winners, but for all ten finalists of emerging American fashion brands. According to Vogue, the fashion industry has taken steps to restructure its “business as usual” mindset in light of effects from the pandemic to be more supportive and inclusive of budding designers. “After an incredibly challenging time for all of us in fashion, especially here in New York, we’re thrilled that this year we are able to support all of our finalists,” Anna Wintour — global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer of Condé Nast — shared. “It’s not only a vote of confidence in their talents, but in a brighter future for American fashion.” Instead of the CFDA /Vogue Fashion Fund’s normal format to grant one top prize and two awards to runners-up as it has in the past, this year all ten designers — who nearly all happen to be Black talent — will earn their grants and a year of mentorship from...

A Black woman is in charge of The Council of Fashion Designers of America. This week, the CFDA announced that CaSandra Diggs is the new president of the not-for-profit organization. Her appointment also makes her the CFDA’s first Black president. A member since 2001, Diggs previously served as the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer and will now develop strategy and make decisions “that further the CFDA’s purpose to champion, educate, and support its membership and the fashion industry-at-large.” “CaSandra is an innovative thinker with a strong understanding of organizational and business operations,” CFDA CEO Steven Kolb said of Diggs’ promotion. “Expanding her role will provide the CFDA with more opportunity to meet the needs of the membership in a broad and diverse way. It is a critical time for our industry, and she is the right person with the right ideas to help lead CFDA into the future.” In recent years, The Council has made efforts to create a more diverse and...