The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Banana Republic have unveiled a new partnership that supports both emerging designers based in the US as well as American manufacturing. It features one limited edition collection with a New York talent and a second with a Los Angeles one, CFDA said in a press release.
First up is Timo Weiland, an alumnus of the CFDA (Fashion Incubator). Banana Republic is working with New York-based Weiland on a Spring 2016 capsule that is designed, cut and sewn exclusively in New York. It will be shown as part of Banana Republic’s New York Fashion Week: Women’s presentation on Sept.12.
Banana Republic’s Creative Director Marissa Webb described the programme as “a great opportunity to provide mentorship and resources to help creative talent grow their business while designing and producing locally.”
As part of the partnership, the CFDA Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) is receiving a monetary contribution that will be matched by the City’s financial commitment to the program. FMI, in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, aims to nurture, elevate, and preserve garment production in New York City.
