CFDA and Google launch Fashion Equity Fellowship

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has partnered with Google to launch a new grant program aimed at promoting inclusive and equitable design within the fashion industry. 

Dubbed the ‘Fashion Equity Fellowship’, the fellowship will offer a unique opportunity for three brands to integrate inclusive practices into their work, as part of Google’s role as the official equity partner of New York Fashion Week. The program, which will run through spring 2025, provides each designer with a $50,000 grant to fund the development of their February 2025 NYFW collection and showcase.

The Fashion Equity Fellowship will directly support CFDA member brand Area, led by Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk; Collina Strada, led by Hillary Taymour; and Diotima, led by Rachel Scott.

“We’re so excited to partner with the Council of Fashion Designers of America on the Fashion Equity Fellowship. We’re committed to supporting the creation of inclusive and equitable products, services and experiences across industries,” said Annie Jean-Baptiste, director, product inclusion & equity at Google. 

“By working with the CFDA and designers, we hope to find new ways to bring product inclusion and equity frameworks, tools and resources to fashion and make the world a more equitable place.”

The designers will collaborate closely with Google’s product inclusion & equity team and receive guidance on implementing inclusive practices throughout their creative process. The program will be delivered through two key tracks: end-to-end design practice, covering ideation, UX, and marketing, and thought leadership, where participating designers will engage with equity leaders to refine their approach.

“The Fashion Equity Fellowship with Google speaks to our mission and is an extension of CFDA’s longstanding work in the social impact space,” added Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. 

“We are excited to support exceptional American design talent and help them continue innovating in the inclusive design space. Through this important fellowship, they will learn to continue incorporating the lived experiences of an important customer base into their designs and showcases.”