The CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund, developed with funding from both the New York State Department of State and the Ralph Lauren Corporation (Ralph Lauren), will provide partially matching grants to designers and manufacturers based in the Garment District of New York City. The U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund, created with Ralph Lauren as a founding partner, will support apparel manufacturers across the country. Both programs aim to help companies modernize equipment, expand services and train workers, strengthening the capacity and resilience of American fashion manufacturing.
CFDA has launched two new grant programs with Ralph Lauren to strengthen American fashion manufacturing. The CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund will support New York City's Garment District, while the US Fashion Manufacturing Fund will help manufacturers across the country, focusing on modernization, workforce training, innovation and long-term industry resilience.
These programs build on the success of the CFDA's Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI), launched in 2013 in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Andrew Rosen, and with long-term support from Ralph Lauren, among others. To date, Ralph Lauren has contributed $2 million as FMI's lead insurer, providing grants to 54 factories and positively impacting more than 2,000 jobs.
“Strengthening American manufacturing to ensure designers have local partners has long been at the core of the CFDA's mission,” he said. Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA. “We are proud to extend our more than a decade of work with Ralph Lauren Corporation and expand nationally while continuing our local investments in New York along with our first partnership with the New York State Department of State.”
Together, these new grant programs mark a historic commitment: sustaining New York's Garment District while strengthening American manufacturing across the country, ensuring that American fashion continues to lead the world through innovation, craftsmanship and community.
“Our expanded partnership with the CFDA reflects Ralph Lauren's long-standing commitment to advancing innovation and supporting American fashion,” he said. Katie Ioanilli, Director of Communications and Global Impact, Ralph Lauren Corporation. “This is not just an investment in our industry, it is an investment in a vital part of the American culture that we share with the world.”
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Fiber2Fashion News Desk (RM)
