The CFDA and Vogue Announce the 2009 Fashion Fund Finalists

This just in: The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue are thrilled to announce the ten finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. For the sixth year, up-and-coming American fashion talent will compete for cash prizes and mentoring from industry insiders. “We had very strong applicant pool this year, particularly among the jewelers,” say Vogue’s Editor In Chief, Anna Wintour. “The ten finalists we selected are a talented, diverse group, who are building healthy independent businesses in challenging times.” One winner and two runners-up will be announced at a gala on November 16 in New York City. 
 
And the finalists are…
 


ALABAMA CHANIN – Natalie Chanin
ESQUIVEL SHOES – George Esquivel
GARY GRAHAM – Gary Graham
HOUSE OF WARIS – Waris Ahluwalia
MONIQUE PEAN – Monique Péan
OHNE TITEL – Flora Gill and Alexa Adams
PATRIK ERVELL – Patrik Ervell
SOPHIE THEALLET – Sophie Theallet
SPURR – Simon Spurr
WAYNE – Wayne Lee

All of the above was direct from Vogue's website. House of Waris may sound a bit familiar if you're a fan of Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic or Darjeeling Limited because Waris Ahluwalia acted in both. & I featured Ohne Titel under some of my Fashion Week Favorites back in February, since their garments were so fantastic and reminiscent of previous CFDA Winner Alexander Wang and the badass British line Preen.
And now for your viewing pleasure the trailers for Life Aquatic and Darjeeling Limited

Life Aquatic


Darjeeling Limited