The CFDA and NYCEDC partner to launch Fashion Future Graduate Showcase

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Mar 14, 2017

The CFDA continues its push for fashion design school graduates with the launch of the Fashion Future Graduate Showcase. Made in partnership with the NYCEDC, the showcase is a curated Made in NY: Fashion physical and digital exhibition of up to 100 top fashion graduates from New York colleges and universities and two additional design institutions.

 
The two organizations were inspired to launch the Fashion Future Graduate Showcase after recognizing the need to support fashion graduates’ transition from education to career development. Participants in the showcase will receive elevated exposure and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to engage in panel discussions, roundtable conversations, workshops and mentorship opportunities.
 
“This is an industry that constantly reinvents itself with new talent, new ideas and new generations of designers,” said Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen. “Today’s graduates from FIT, Pratt and Parsons represent the future of fashion. We’re proud to partner with CFDA to invest in this first-ever showcase to market their incredible work and give them this important exposure.”

FIT, Pratt and Parsons are three schools participating in the Showcase and will be joined by Rhode Island School of Design and Academy of Art University. The CFDA and the NYCEDC will connect graduates of these schools to professional opportunities in design for apparel, accessories, jewelry, textiles, technical design and sustainable fashion among other career paths.
 
The CFDA recently partnered with the Accessories Council to sponsor the Elaine Gold Launch Pad, a four-year mentorship program for emerging designers. The NYCEDC also launched initiatives to benefit young designers and emerging companies, including the Global Business Exchange, fostering local and international companies, and the Fashion Forward Initiative for New York City high school students and undergraduate college students.
 
The Fashion Future Graduate Showcase will be held from May 23 through 25.