Bold moves are being made for American fashion.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) just unveiled two initiatives designed to elevate American fashion manufacturing, enhance workforce development, and foster innovation while driving economic growth.
The first initiative is the CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund. This program, backed by funding from both the New York State Department of State and Ralph Lauren Corporation, will provide partially matching grants to designers and manufacturers located in New York City’s Garment District. Grants will be awarded in two phases in 2026 and 2027 to support local fashion manufacturers and in-house designers.
The second initiative, the U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund, launched with Ralph Lauren as its founding partner, aims to support apparel manufacturers across the nation. This initiative will run from 2027 through 2029, broadening its reach beyond New York to key apparel-producing states such as California, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. The program will offer grants that cover up to 80 percent of the total award, requiring manufacturers to contribute the remaining 20 percent.
“At CFDA, we have always prioritized strengthening American manufacturing to connect designers with local partners,” stated Steven Kolb, CEO and president of the CFDA.
“Our ongoing collaboration with Ralph Lauren Corporation is now expanding nationally, while we continue our focused investments in NYC through our first partnership with the New York State Department of State.”
The newly announced funds build upon the CFDA’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI), which started in 2013 in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation and long-term supporters like Ralph Lauren.
To date, Ralph Lauren has invested $2 million as FMI’s leading underwriter, facilitating grants to 54 factories and supporting over 2,000 jobs within the industry.
“Our enhanced partnership with the CFDA underscores Ralph Lauren’s dedication to fostering innovation and uplifting American fashion,” shared Katie Ioanilli, chief global impact & communications officer at Ralph Lauren Corporation.
“This initiative is more than just an investment in our industry. It represents a commitment to a vital aspect of American culture that resonates with the world.”
