Get to Know the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists—Their Role Models, Their Business Ambitions, and Who They Want to Dress

Is there someone in the industry whose career trajectory you look up to?
Virgil Abloh. Hands down. I both resonate with and look up to his journey. Virgil, being Black, accomplished so many firsts, and challenged while changing the industry from the consumer perspective, retail, and those at the top of the fashion food chain. Among many other reasons, that is why I have always looked up to him.

If your brand had a theme song, what would it be?
“Grandma’s Hands” by Bill Withers. The story of a fearless, loving, strong-willed, kind, empowering matriarch, who set a new precedent for her family and community. 

Who is your dream customer?
The Vogue reader! They are early fashion adopters, desire high quality materials, appreciate design and construction details, care about taking a more responsible approach to their wardrobe, and value aspirational design and inspirational designers.

You’ve been a part of the CVFF family for a few weeks now, what has been the most surprising part of this process?
The support from the CVFF family has been so special; it has given me a new platform to be seen as a designer. Everyone I have met from Vogue and the CFDA has been extremely gracious and helpful, but what I find most pleasantly surprising is the camaraderie within the 10 finalists. The fashion industry is extremely competitive but upon meeting the others for the first time last week, I felt as though I walked into a room of family I hadn’t known existed until that moment. Leading with kindness is exceptionally important to me and it was returned to me by each designer. We are a community now — the CVFF Class of ’23.