Council of Fashion Designers of America

The first president of the CFDA was Sydney Wragge (1962-1965). Founding members included Bill Blass, Donald Brooks, Betty Carol, Jane Derby, Luis Estevez, David Evins, Rudi Gernreich, Helen Lee, Bud Kilpatrick, Jean Louis, John Moore, Norman Norell, Sylvia Pedlar, Sarmi, Arnold Scaasi, Adele Simpson, Gustave Tassell, Pauline Trigère, Sydney Wragge, and Ben Zuckerman.

Diane von Furstenberg served as chairman for 13 years from 2006 until 2019, followed by Tom Ford, who served for three years. As of January 2023, Thom Browne is the group's chairman. Steven Kolb has been the CEO and President since 2006.

Conflict with animal rights activist

CFDA's CEO Steven Kolb was captured on video physically restraining People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals protesters at the COS runaway presentation in September 2026 during New York Fashion Week. Kolb was seen physically grabbing two protestors and snatching their printed signs. Kolb wrote in an Instagram story “I reacted inappropriately to an incident at a show earlier today. It wasn’t my place to do so. I should have let the security team handle the situation." shortly after the incident, but CFDA or himself did not respond to request for further comments by CNN.

The CFDA Fashion Awards were founded in 1980 with the first awards given in 1981. They honor and showcase excellence in fashion design. They have been sometimes referred to as "the Oscars of fashion". In 1997, the CFDA Fashion Awards began including emerging designers.

Nominations are submitted by the Fashion Guild, a group of over 1,500 CFDA members including fashion editors, retailers, and stylists. Award winners are determined by vote and announced at an annual black tie event held in Manhattan.

Since 2022 , Amazon Fashion is the presenting sponsor of the event.

Winners of the fund include Telfar Clemens (2017), Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss (2018), Christopher John Rogers (2019), and Melitta Baumeister (2023).

The CFDA pursues a range of programs aimed at designers, students, at the industry at large.

Current and recent programs include:

For Designers:

• CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund
• CFDA | Genesis Aouse AAPI Design + Innovation Grant
• CFDA x eBay Circular Fashion Fund
• Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award

For Students:

• The CFDA Scholarship Fund includES the Veronica Beard Creative Futures Scholarship and The Geoffrey Beene Award among others. Past recipients include Peter Do (2013), Michelle Ochs (2006) AND Jack Mcollough (20010.

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was established to help emerging designers and cultivate the next generation of American fashion talent.

Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award

Established in 2024, the CFDA partners with Tiffany & Co. for the stated purpose of recognizing and uplifting outstanding American jewelry designers who are committed to driving inclusivity with the design industry. Awarded recipients are selected by a committee of industry experts.

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer

Since 2011, the council has led an annual campaign to promote the initiative and partners with well known fashion icons. In 2017, Fabletics partnered with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer to produce an activewear collection. A portion of all sales for the collection would be donated to target breast cancer screening and treatment.

CFDA publications include:

• American Fashion Home
• American Travel
• Scheips, Charlie (2007). American Fashion. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Assouline Publishing. ISBN 978-2759401611.
• Hastreiter, Kim; Beene, Geoffrey (2008). Geoffrey Beene: An American Fashion Rebel. Assouline Publishing. ISBN 9782759402663.
• Pratts Price, Candy; Glasscock, Jessica; Tavee, Art (2008). American Fashion Accessories. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Assouline Publishing. ISBN 9782759402861.
• Marsh, Lisa; Stewart, Martha (2009). American Fashion Cookbook. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Assouline Publisher. ISBN 9782759404056.
• Bryan, Robert E. (2009). American Fashion Menswear. Assouline Publishing. ISBN 9782759404094.
• Suqi, Rima A. (2010). American Fashion Designers at Home. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Assouline Publishing. ISBN 9782759404711.
• Mears, Patricia (2012). IMPACT: 50 Years of the CFDA. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 978-1419702310.
• Von Furstenberg, Diane; Alba, Jessica (2014). The Pursuit of Style: Advice and Musings from America's Top Fashion Designers. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 978-1419706219.
• Systrom, Kevin; Kolb, Steven (2015). Designers on Instagram: #fashion. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 978-1419715587.
• Moore, Booth (2018). American Runway: 75 Years of Fashion and the Front Row. Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 978-1419726484.