Council of Fashion Designers of America

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA), founded in 1962 by publicist Eleanor Lambert, is a not-for-profit trade association of over 450 prominent American fashion and accessory designers. The first president of the Council was Sydney Wragge (till 1965). As of 2009, Diane von Fürstenberg was the group's president and Steven Kolb the CEO. The organization's mission is to strengthen the influence and success of American designers in the global economy.

In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization is committed to the development of future American design talent, as well as providing support for established designers. Its educational Initiatives provide support and resources for students at the high school, collegiate, and post-graduate levels including the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship and the Liz Claiborne Fashion Scholarship. In addition, it supports working designers in the early stages and throughout their careers through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the {FASHION INCUBATOR} and provides business opportunities for the membership through its Strategic Partnerships Group (SPG). Through the CFDA Foundation, it mobilizes its membership to support charitable causes such as: Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, The CFDA Health initiative, The CFDA-Vogue Initiative for HIV and AIDS (7th on Sale), Fashion for America, Fashion for Haiti, Fashion for Japan, and Fashion for Sandy Relief.

The CFDA Fashion Awards, which honors excellence in fashion design, is often called "the Oscars of fashion". Nominations are submitted by the Fashion Guild, a group of over 1,500 CFDA members, fashion editors, retailers, and stylists. Award winners are voted on and announced at an annual black tie event held at Lincoln Center in New York City. Last year the event was broadcast on style.com. Award winners receive a trophy made by the New York firm Society Awards.

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