Last night, CFDA, Council of Fashion Designers of America, announced the 10 finalists for the 2011 CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund. For 8 consecutive years, the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund has provided support and encouragement for emerging American designers. This year's winner will receive $300,000, a chance to design a capsule collection for the fund's head sponsor J.Crew, and mentorship from individuals highly regarded in the American fashion industry. Past CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund winners include Billy Reid, Alexander Wang, Doo.Ri, Proenza Schouler, Rogan, Sophie Theallet, and Trovata. The 2011 CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund nominees are:

A.A. – Antonio Azzuolo
ALTUZARRA – Joseph Altuzarra
CARLOS CAMPOS – Carlos Campos
CREATURES OF THE WIND – Shane Gabier & Chris Peters
CUSHNIE ET OCHS – Michelle Ochs & Carly Cushnie
FINN JEWELRY – Soraya Silchenstedt
FENTON / FALLON – Dana Lorenz
OHNE TITEL – Alexa Adams & Flora Gill
PAMELA LOVE JEWELRY – Pamela Love
SUNO – Max Osterweis & Erin Beatty

The selection committee, headed by Diane Von Furstenburg, will be visiting the 10 finalists' design studios to review their current collections and conduct in-depth interviews. There will be a design contest sponsored by L'oreal Paris that the finalists are asked to participate in. The designers' creations and looks for the contest will be presented in a fashion show in L.A. this October sponsored by Frederic Fekkai. The final decision for the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund winner and runner-ups will be announced on November 14, 2011 at a gala in New York City. 

CFDA is also involved in the the CFDA Fashion Awards, Geoffrey Been Design Scholar Award, Liz Claiborne Scholarship Award, CFDA/ Teen Vogue Scholarship, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and Fashion's Night Out.