Ashlynn Park, the creative force behind the Ashlyn label, has been distinguished as the grand prize winner of the highly anticipated 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. This significant achievement comes just a week after she was honored with the Emerging Designer of the Year title at the CFDA Fashion Awards. Park's victory not only brings her a substantial financial award of $300,000 but also grants her invaluable mentorship from seasoned industry experts, aimed at fostering the growth and expansion of her brand, which she established in 2020. This marks her second attempt at the esteemed competition, proving that perseverance coupled with exceptional talent can lead to ultimate success. The announcement took place at an exclusive dinner hosted by prominent figures Isha Ambani, Zac Posen, Anna Wintour, and Chloe Malle.
The journey to this year's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund culminated in an intimate celebratory dinner where Ashlynn Park was officially declared the victor. This triumph underscores her dedication and unique vision, propelling her brand, Ashlyn, further into the global fashion spotlight. Her background as a pattern-maker has provided a strong foundation for her distinctive approach to design, which has captivated judges and critics alike. The mentorship aspect of the award is particularly crucial, offering strategic guidance and resources to navigate the complexities of scaling a burgeoning fashion business in a competitive market.
Joining Park in this year's cohort of recognized talent are Stephanie Suberville of Heirlome and Julian Louie of Aubero, who were named the runners-up. Both designers received $100,000 grants to support their creative endeavors. Suberville, a New York-based designer with a rich history at Rag & Bone, has made it her mission to champion Latin American artisans through her brand, Heirlome. Louie, a Brooklyn-based menswear designer, brings a keen focus on craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from his family's legacy in garment care. Their diverse backgrounds and design philosophies reflect the vibrant and multifaceted nature of contemporary American fashion.
Anna Wintour, a key figure in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, highlighted the immense talent present in American fashion, drawing parallels to past winners who have achieved global recognition. Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, reiterated the fund's commitment to nurturing emerging designers and ensuring the continued evolution and creativity of American fashion. The selection committee, comprising influential figures such as Thom Browne, Eva Chen, and Aurora James, played a pivotal role in identifying this year's outstanding talents, further emphasizing the rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process.
What unites these three distinguished designers—Ashlynn Park, Stephanie Suberville, and Julian Louie—is not just their individual creativity but also their profound industry experience. Despite their labels being relatively new, each designer boasts over a decade of professional experience. Park's impressive resume includes stints with Yohji Yamamoto, Alexander Wang, and Raf Simons's Calvin Klein. Suberville honed her skills at Elizabeth & James before co-founding Heirlome and serving as a creative director for another brand. Louie's extensive background as a consultant and designer for various labels, including Amiri, prior to establishing Aubero, further underscores the depth of expertise within this year's winning cohort. This combination of fresh perspectives and seasoned experience positions them to make significant contributions to the fashion industry.
Isha Ambani extended her congratulations to all the winners and finalists, expressing her deep inspiration from this new generation of designers. She emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue and collaboration among creative voices to drive innovation and craftsmanship within the fashion world. The 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund class also recognized other talented designers including Bach Mai, Bernard James, Don’t Let Disco by Ashley Moubayed, Gabe Gordon, Jamie Okuma, Meruert Tolegen, and Peter Do, showcasing the breadth and diversity of emerging talent in the industry.