The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue have selected the 10 finalists of this year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The competition is back after being paused for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic during which all finalists were awarded a cash prize. But this year, the competition is back in full effect with 10 rising fashion designers competing for a $300,000 first-place award and two $100,000 runner-up prizes.

According to Vogue, this year’s selection committee includes the Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast and Global Editorial Director of Vogue Anna Wintour, designer and CFDA Chairman Thom Browne, CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, Mark Holgate and Chioma Nnadi of Vogue, Brother Vellies designer and Fifteen Percent Pledge founder Aurora James, Saks Fifth Avenue fashion director Roopal Patel, Instagram Director of Fashion Partnerships Eva Chen, Nordstrom EVP Sam Lobban, Nick Molnar, Founder of Afterpay & The Next Generation; and model and activist Paloma Elsesser. 

“It’s so important that the world sees this new generation of American designers… The talent in the United States is unparalleled in regards to creativity and diversity and, moreover, truly American,” Browne said in a statement. “The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund shines an important and generous light on this.”

This year's competitor roster features notable designers of color including Everard Best and Téla D’Amore of Who Decides War. As well as Melitta Baumeister, Sami Miro of Sami Miro Vintage, and Rachel Scott founder and creative director of Diotima. 

“Every year I am astounded by how much talent we have in this country, with designers who are as wildly creative as they are sensitive to the world today,” said Vogue's legendary Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director, Anna Wintour. “They’re not only imaginative, but they strive to be thought leaders and community creators, reminding us that fashion can be meaningful to everyone. I’m delighted to say that this year’s 10 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists are all those things—and more. My congratulations to our class of 2023.”

The 2023 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is generously supported by Afterpay, Instagram, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Vogue.