The winner and runners up for one of fashion's most coveted honors, the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund awards, were announced Tuesday evening at a luxe NYC dinner featuring a keynote speech from Burberry creative head, Christopher Bailey. The lucky emerging designers are, in first place, Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman, and as runners up, jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer Maguire and footwear designer Tabitha Simmons.
Make no mistake, these are names to watch. The Fashion Fund, which gives $300,000 to the winner and $100,000 each to runners up, is the equivalent of a Fulbright for up-and-coming designers, and a great indication of the future's brightest stars. Last year the prize went to Joseph Altuzarra, followed by Pamela Love and the designers behind Creatures of the Wind — all brands that have seen major growth in cred since then. Congrats to the winners — we can't wait to see what's up ahead! (WWD)