CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund

>> J.Crew To Sponsor This Year's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Instead of Gap —J.Crew is reportedly taking the main sponsorship of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund over from Gap starting this year. In the past, the Gap partnership has seen collaborations with Fashion Fund finalists like Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Sophie Theallet — housed under Gap Design Editions — grace Gap stores since as far back as 2007, but it looks like this year J.Crew — which recently tried out a designer collaboration with Fenton/Fallon's Dana Lorenz — may be the go-to retail point for this year's designer finalists. [Fashionista]

>> The ten nominees for the 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award have just been announced; the winner, who is awarded $200,000 and a yearlong mentorship, will be determined in November, as will two runners-up, who receive $50,000 each. For the last few years, the winner and runners-up have also worked with Gap as part of a limited-edition Gap Design Edition collaboration to help their labels more exposure.

The 2010 nominees »

>> INSIDER WIRE —Vogue-helmed events could be a little different from now on: Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, 11-year Vogue veteran and the magazine's director of special events who oversaw the Costume Institute Gala and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, resigned to spend more time with her husband and three children; no replacement has been named. The move marks the loss of one of the magazine's many pedigreed names: Winston Wolkoff is granddaughter of Harry Winston. [FWD]

>> IN PRODUCTION —It turns out Alexander Wang isn't the only one doing khaki jackets and chinos for this year's CFDA-Gap collaboration after all: Vena Cava also pitched in a couple of dresses and variations on chinos — Racked got the first looks.  No word (although it's likely) on whether more designers are involved. [Racked]

UPDATE: The Alexander Wang-Gap photos have turned up — including one the motorcycle jacket — as well as pictures of a set of hats, which are likely done by milliner Albertus Swanepoel of Albertus Quartus (Wang was the 2008 CFDA/Vogue Award winner, Vena Cava and Albertus Quartus the runners-up). [Racked]

>> IN PRODUCTION —In past couple of years, Gap has teamed up with CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners and finalists like Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders, Threeasfour, Philip Crangi, Rodarte, Doo.Ri, and Thakoon to reinterpret their classic white shirt, but this year, Patrick Robinson says it's all about 2008 winner Alexander Wang: "We have Alexander Wang doing the next CFDA collaboration, like what we did with the white shirts last year, only this year it's with khaki. He did this incredible motorcycle jacket in khaki that's going to be under $100. It's coming out on June 16th, so get ready!" [Teen Vogue]

UPDATE: Apparently the collection also features another khaki jacket, plus some chinos. [Grazia Twitter]
*image: source

>> Although she rarely gives interviews — except for, you know, the lengthy one in The September Issue and that profile she's supposedly doing for 60 Minutes (rumor is their cameras were following her again at the amfAR Gala Thursday night), so maybe she's changed her mind — Anna Wintour sat down with Rachel Dodes of The Wall Street Journal right before New York Fashion Week for a quick fashion state-of-the-union-interview.

But before we get started, a sidenote — the coat she wore Thursday (left) looks to be from Peter Som's Fall 2009 capsule collection, so methinks he will be taken care of just fine.  Now, among the interview's highlights:

Now is not the time to look "too Dubai."

I don't think anyone is going to want to look overly flashy, overly glitzy, too Dubai, whatever you want to call it. I just don't think that's the moment. But I do feel an emphasis on quality and longevity and things that really last.

She won't name names, but some designers aren't making clothes that are worth the price tag.

In the [Vogue] Index pages we are looking more rigorously at price and value and asking, 'is something worth that particular price tag?'

A thing that wasn't worth it? Without naming names, we had a little sequined thing that wouldn't come down to here on you [points to chest.] And I said, 'How much is it?' $25,000. I said, 'No. We're not going to photograph that right now.'

What Anna thinks is "fabulous" »

When was the last time you tripped over a Jason Wu frock in a clothing store or discovered the Jason Wu cardigan of your dreams online? Yeah, we're pretty sure that's what Jason Wu is up to with launching a line of exclusives this Fall 2009, customizable to to his buyers and positioned as DIY exclusives for various stores. The young designer launched his line in 2006, remember, so there's still time for him to increase his socklist and expand his brand. Michelle Obama wore a Jason Wu dress just before the election and this year the designer was a finalist for the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund award, so we'd say he's still doing quite well for himself. That said, we're looking forward to seeing his next collection on shelves.

To see the breezy, colorful Spring 2009 Jason Wu collection, click here. 

Last night, Alexander Wang was awarded the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund award, granting him a 200,000 dollar allowance and mentorship for one year. The designers of Vena Cava and Albertus Quartus were the runners up and the two brands were each awarded 50,000 dollars and a business mentor. To see photos from last night's event, click here. To see Alexander Wang's Spring 2009 collection, click here. 

A 1980's themed Reebok pop-up has opened on the Bowery in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Reebok pump. Limited edition sneakers will run Reebok fans a mere 90 dollars--not much compared to the competition. 

Burberry reports a 13.1 percent increase in profits this half, however, the company articulates their concerns that there is worse to come. Burberry stated that U.S. department stores have unexpectedly decreased their re-orders. 

Suzy Menkes reports on the new Yohji Yamamoto flagship recently opened in Paris and the cultivation of a new pocket of cutting edge boutiques in the area.