CFDA Reveals 2023 Design Scholar Awards Winners

Lisa Lockwood
·2 min read

The Council of Fashion Designers of America has revealed its 2023 Design Scholar Award winners.

The CFDA had 340 applications this year, and has awarded the following scholarships.

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2023 CFDA Design Scholar Award winners:

  • Nkenglack Nchopa, Fashion Institute of Technology, $25,000, made possible through CFDA donation by American Express.

  • Tamara Marono Garza, Kent State Univesity, $25,000, made possible through CFDA donation by Avani Gregg.

  • X’avier Alexander, Virginia Commonwealth University, $50,000, made possible through CFDA donation by Eddie Bauer.

  • Leonard Guarin-Peters, Parsons School of Design, $25,000, made possible through CFDA donation by Jack Carlson, creative director of Rowing Blazers.

  • Emily Casli, Parsons School of Design, $25,000, made possible through CFDA donation by the Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg Foundation.

CFDA x Crystal Bridges Heartland Scholar Awards:

  • Benjamin Halunen, Fashion Institute of Technology, $25,000

  • Jakarie Whitaker, Clark Atlanta University, $25,000

  • Jesus Del Real, The University of Texas at Austin, $25,000

  • Julian Gourley, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, $25,000

  • Tristan Riggs, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, $25,000

CFDA + Swarovski Foundation Re: Generation Innovation Scholar Award:

  • Evren Nelson, Parsons School of Design, $30,000

Geoffrey Beene Design Masters Scholar Award:

  • Kishan Singh Tehara, Parsons School of Design, $50,000

Looks by X’Avier Alexander of Virginia Commonwealth University
Looks by X’Avier Alexander of Virginia Commonwealth University

According to the CFDA, the criteria for an award is based on financial need and professional potential and talent/creativity. Specialized scholarships, such as the CFDA x Crystal Bridges Heartland Scholar Awards, go to students from the American heartland, while the CFDA + Swarovski Foundation Re: Generation Innovation Scholar Award is centered around innovation and sustainability. The payments have been made and go directly toward the students’ tuition and studio/material expenses.

Between 1996 and 2023, the CFDA has awarded approximately $3.7 million and 365 scholarships. This year’s selection committee included Bach Mai, Daniel Marks of Townhouse Consultancy, Elena Velez, Grace Ling, Jack Carlson, creative director of Rowing Blazers, Jackson Widerhoeft of Wiederhoeft, Jacques Agbobly of Agbobly, Kaisa Inari Kinunen and Nicci Hunter of Versace, KC Hurst of Crystal Bridges, Maika Nakaoka of Swarovski Foundation, Mara Hutton of Geoffrey Beene Foundation, Mitch Ramey of American Express, Sara Kozlowski, CFDA’s vice president of program, strategies, education and sustainability initiatives, and CFDA chief executive officer Steven Kolb.

The CFDA’s commitment to education began in 1996 with the establishment of the CFDA Scholarship Program funded by CFDA member Monika Tilley. Among the recipients who progressed to prominent industry roles are Jacques Agobly of Agbobly (2019), Peter Som (1996), the inaugural CFDA Scholarship Award recipient, Chris Benz (2003), Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler (2001), Michelle Ochs (2006), Peter Do (2013) and Uyen Tran of Tom Tex (2020).

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