COUNCIL OF FASHION DESIGNERS OF AMERICA
Council of Fashion Designers of America
ABOUT US
CFDA is a world-leading organization for fashion design, retail, and supplier businesses.
n 1962, Eleanor Lambert, a woman of exceptional vision in fashion, founded the Council of Fashion Designers of America, known as CFDA. Her purpose was simple: to ensure that American fashion design would be seen by the world.
At the time, European fashion still dominated the global conversation. Lambert believed that American designers had their own distinctive creativity and design language, and needed an influential organization to represent them, connect them, and help them grow. A group of like-minded designers came together around that shared dream.
What first appeared to be a small decision later proved to have changed the entire course of American fashion.
Over the decades that followed, CFDA grew from a few dozen members into an industry organization representing more than 500 leading designers. From Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs to Tommy Hilfiger and Thom Browne, many globally celebrated brands have developed through CFDA awards, industry resources, and annual showcases, reaching the world from here.
CFDA Timeline
1973 CFDA Foundation Established
CFDA established the independent nonprofit CFDA Foundation to lead fundraising and philanthropic programs. This marked the formal beginning of its charitable work. The Foundation was chaired by Oscar de la Renta.
About Oscar de la Renta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_de_la_Renta
1990 7th on Sale Fundraiser
CFDA and Vogue held a charitable sale to raise funds for AIDS prevention and treatment. Anna Wintour called it one of the proudest achievements of her career. The event raised US$4.2 million for charity.
Link: https://cfda.com/news/honoring-cfda-leaders-past-present-on-international-womens-day/
1994 Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
The initiative raised US$10.2 million for charity. CFDA and Ralph Lauren launched a breast cancer research fundraising campaign through limited-edition T-shirts and caps. The charitable campaign continues today.
Link: https://cfda.com/philanthrop//fashion-targets-breast-cancer/
1996 Scholarship Program Established
CFDA member Monika Tilley formally established the scholarship program to provide financial support for fashion design students worldwide and cultivate the industry’s future talent. Approximately US$42.5 million has been awarded through 4,015 scholarships.
Related coverage: https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/feature/article-1189877-1717178
2003 CVFF Fashion Fund Established
This is one of CFDA’s best-known support programs. After the industry was affected by the September 11 attacks, CFDA and Vogue created the fund together. It provides not only financial awards, but also connects emerging designers with leading business mentors for hands-on operational guidance. Brands such as Proenza Schouler and Alexander Wang have grown from this program.
December 2023 Official Launch of Digital Platform Promotion
In December 2023, CFDA officially launched digital promotion through its online platform, marking a new era of promotion that is open to participation, simple to carry out, and standardized in delivery. Under this model, fashion promotion is no longer limited to brands and specialist marketing teams: everyone can participate. The platform publishes clear, standardized promotional tasks each day, such as browsing selected fashion products, liking them, and writing genuine reviews. Participants receive promotional dividends after completing the tasks. Leveraging fashion industry resources and internet marketing models, the platform connects brands, designers, e-commerce platforms, and users worldwide to provide digital promotion services for quality fashion products, help build popular products, generate a large volume of sales orders, and enhance brand value and market competitiveness.
CFDA Timeline
1973 CFDA Foundation Established
CFDA established the independent nonprofit CFDA Foundation to lead fundraising and philanthropic programs. This marked the formal beginning of its charitable work. The Foundation was chaired by Oscar de la Renta.
About Oscar de la Renta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_de_la_Renta
1990 7th on Sale Fundraiser
CFDA and Vogue held a charitable sale to raise funds for AIDS prevention and treatment. Anna Wintour called it one of the proudest achievements of her career. The event raised US$4.2 million for charity.
Link: https://cfda.com/news/honoring-cfda-leaders-past-present-on-international-womens-day/
199 Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
The initiative raised US$10.2 million for charity. CFDA and Ralph Lauren launched a breast cancer research fundraising campaign through limited-edition T-shirts and caps. The charitable campaign continues today.
Link: https://cfda.com/philanthrop//fashion-targets-breast-cancer/
1996 Scholarship Program Established
CFDA member Monika Tilley formally established the scholarship program to provide financial support for fashion design students worldwide and cultivate the industry’s future talent. Approximately US$42.5 million has been awarded through 4,015 scholarships.
Related coverage: https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/feature/article-1189877-1717178
2003 CVFF Fashion Fund Established
This is one of CFDA’s best-known support programs. After the industry was affected by the September 11 attacks, CFDA and Vogue created the fund together. It provides not only financial awards, but also connects emerging designers with leading business mentors for hands-on operational guidance. Brands such as Proenza Schouler and Alexander Wang have grown from this program.
December 2023 Official Launch of Digital Platform Promotion
In December 2023, CFDA officially launched digital promotion through its online platform, marking a new era of promotion that is open to participation, simple to carry out, and standardized in delivery. Under this model, fashion promotion is no longer limited to brands and specialist marketing teams: everyone can participate. The platform publishes clear, standardized promotional tasks each day, such as browsing selected fashion products, liking them, and writing genuine reviews. Participants receive promotional dividends after completing the tasks. Leveraging fashion industry resources and internet marketing models, the platform connects brands, designers, e-commerce platforms, and users worldwide to provide digital promotion services for quality fashion products, help build popular products, generate a large volume of sales orders, and enhance brand value and market competitiveness.
CFDA Timeline
1973
CFDA Foundation Established
CFDA established the independent nonprofit CFDA Foundation to lead fundraising and philanthropic programs. This marked the formal beginning of its charitable work. The Foundation was chaired by Oscar de la Renta.
About Oscar de la Renta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_de_la_Renta
1990
7th on Sale Fundraiser
CFDA and Vogue held a charitable sale to raise funds for AIDS prevention and treatment. Anna Wintour called it one of the proudest achievements of her career. The event raised US$4.2 million for charity.
Link: https://cfda.com/news/honoring-cfda-leaders-past-present-on-international-womens-day/
1994
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
The initiative raised US$10.2 million for charity. CFDA and Ralph Lauren launched a breast cancer research fundraising campaign through limited-edition T-shirts and caps. The charitable campaign continues today.
Link: https://cfda.com/philanthrop//fashion-targets-breast-cancer/
1996 Scholarship Program Established
CFDA member Monika Tilley formally established the scholarship program to provide financial support for fashion design students worldwide and cultivate the industry’s future talent. Approximately US$42.5 million has been awarded through 4,015 scholarships.
Related coverage: https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/feature/article-1189877-1717178
2003
CVFF Fashion Fund Established
This is one of CFDA’s best-known support programs. After the industry was affected by the September 11 attacks, CFDA and Vogue created the fund together. It provides not only financial awards, but also connects emerging designers with leading business mentors for hands-on operational guidance. Brands such as Proenza Schouler and Alexander Wang have grown from this program.
December 2023 Official Launch of Digital Platform Promotion
In December 2023, CFDA officially launched digital promotion through its online platform, marking a new era of promotion that is open to participation, simple to carry out, and standardized in delivery. Under this model, fashion promotion is no longer limited to brands and specialist marketing teams: everyone can participate. The platform publishes clear, standardized promotional tasks each day, such as browsing selected fashion products, liking them, and writing genuine reviews. Participants receive promotional dividends after completing the tasks. Leveraging fashion industry resources and internet marketing models, the platform connects brands, designers, e-commerce platforms, and users worldwide to provide digital promotion services for quality fashion products, help build popular products, generate a large volume of sales orders, and enhance brand value and market competitiveness.
Service Areas
Service areas: fashion design, brand development, industry promotion
Service Areas Fashion design, brand development, industry promotion
Partners Designers, brand owners, e-commerce platforms, fashion businesses
Markets Served
Markets served: North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa
Every work that deserves to be seen has a path to global markets.
The platform publishes clear, standardized promotional tasks each day: browse selected fashion products, like them, and write genuine reviews. Participants receive promotional dividends after completing the tasks.
PROGRAMS
Nurturing creativity, while helping brands go further.
CFDA professional development programs provide members with practical business information, helping brands gain insight and develop growth strategies.
Designers
Designers
A professional development program for designers, supporting creative practice and independent brand management.
Students
Students
A development program for emerging fashion talent, connecting learning, industry, and future opportunities.
Industry
Industry
An industry program for American fashion that promotes resource sharing and long-term development.
Shared knowledge and connections for the fashion industry.
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Resources
Sustainability Resource Hub
Sustainability Resource Hub
An open knowledge-sharing platform that helps the industry explore tools and information centered on fashion strategies.
Supply Chain & Manufacturing
Supply Chain & Manufacturing
Brings together local manufacturing, supply chain, and production resources to support a more efficient collaboration network.
Materials Hub
Materials Hub
Connects the global materials sourcing community with innovators, suppliers, and key industry resources.
CHAMPIONING AMERICAN FASHION
CFDA strengthens the global influence of American fashion by amplifying creative excellence, sustainable business, and positive impact.
Creative Excellence
Sustainable Business
Positive Impact
Partnership Platform
Partner platforms: AMAZON FASHION, SHEIN, TEMU, TIKTOK SHOP, EBAY, WALMART MARKETPLACE, ETSY, ALIEXPRESS, LAZADA, SHOPEE...
Company Verification
Company Name
CFDA - Council of Fashion Designers of America / CFDA Fashion Apparel Ltd
Entity Registration Number
20261949255
Tax ID
19255-0023
U.S. Government Company Search Website
Enter Company Code
20261949255
Certificate of Registration
Certificate of Incumbency
Tax ID Document
Certificate of Good Standing
Meeting Minutes
Stock Certificate
Stock Certificate
Articles of Incorporation
Articles of Incorporation
Corporate Secretary Card
Member Register
