Membership has its Perks

This morning in a team meeting we were brainstorming around how to develop a runway for an upcoming store's ribbon cutting event. As we sat throwing out ideas I grew increasingly giddy as I pictured models stomping their way down an acryllic runway under ivy covered canopies, elevated far above the reach of fans packing the store's very public street corner. Looking at an inspiration photo from the 2010 monstrous fashion's night out event set in Lincoln Square where models miraculously dodged one another, I suggested maybe we steer clear of asking non-super models to maneuver anything much harder than a few stairs. Asked by a co-worker how I even knew what the event was, I just looked back and said, it's what I love. It's not just fashion or clothes or even beautiful people, but rather an entire industry devoted to helping people express who they are. 

Right on cue this week hosted the CFDA Fashion Awards with Lady Gaga receiving the Fashion Icon Award. From born this way to discovering who you want to be, the organization is the lone proponent (albeit along with Bravo shows ranging from Project Runway to Design House) who actually funds and inspires the development and research for young designers to grow. A rather small blip on the radar of most people, the awards are an annual hail mary to those who spend their lives toiling away in the darkness of a warehouse moving slowly on the long path towards success. While the Emmys, Oscars and Met Gala offer designers a chance to dress the best, the Awards throw the spotlight back. Why does it matter? To me, the awards are just the most visible presence of a very amazing organization. 


The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit association that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 370 of America’s foremost  designers.  To young designers, membership is like getting your first SAG card, union card or being taken in the NFL draft. From professional development programs, internships and scholarships, the organization aims to offer young designers strategic opportunities. 


Sure the group isn't curing diseases or solving world politics, but it does inspire creative uses for re-useable goods, hosts fundraisers that aid in researching and bringing awareness to global epidemics and creates common bonds between worldwide leaders. The members of the CFDA, are multi generational but woven together via a common bond of passion, inspiration and determination. 

Each year the CFDA and Vogue magazine collaborate to fund an endowment supporting the next generation of American fashion designers.  While winners received amazing monetary prizes, often the most significant distinction is the industry wide awareness and the year long mentorship with a specific fashion professional whose expertise is "tailored" to the nominees needs and future goals. 


No one is turned away from applying, noting their universal acceptance related to race, color or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age or sex. 

2011 Award Winners Included Lady Gage, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang

So, an all-inclusive organization which seeks to support up-and-comers, mentoring, grooming and inspiring go-getters to reach for their goals, along the way showing them how to deal with their successes turning it into future gains? Seems like the new black to me.