Zane Li of Lii Wins the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund With $300,000 Prize

Zane Li, the New York-based designer behind the label Lii, was named winner of the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund at a dinner in New York on Tuesday, Oct. 20, according to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The winner receives $300,000 and business mentorship.

Aisling Camps and Emily Dawn Long were named runners-up, each receiving $100,000, according to the CFDA and Fashionista. The fund is a CFDA and Vogue program, and its supporters include Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's and Instagram. Fashionista reports that the win is Li's third award of the year.

A Winner Chosen From Ten Finalists

The fund narrowed a field of ten designers to one winner. The finalists were Aisling Camps, Amir Taghi, Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch TONGTONG, Emily Dawn Long, Jamie Haller, Julia Ferentinos of Juju Vera, Zane Li of Lii, George Inaki of Milamore, Claire Sullivan of Miss Claire Sullivan, and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen.

Fashionista describes Li as Chongqing-born and New York-based. His work is described as minimalist and technical, with avant-garde designs.

Fashionista lists two earlier 2026 honours for him. The first is the Fashion Trust US Ready-to-Wear Award, which he won in April. The second is the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, which Fashionista places about five months after the April award. He is also a CFDA Awards nominee for Google American Emerging Designer of the Year.

The winner was revealed at a dinner at the Crane Club in New York, hosted by Tory Burch, Thom Browne, Chloe Malle and Anna Wintour, according to the CFDA. Each runner-up receives $100,000 and mentorship opportunities.

Of the ten finalists, one received the $300,000 prize and two received $100,000 each. The other seven finalists also receive business mentorship, according to the CFDA.

From June Finalists to the October Gala

The fund runs in stages. Finalists are chosen, they present their work to judges, and the winner and runners-up are named at a gala dinner.

The CFDA says a selection committee chose the ten finalists at the CFDA offices on a Monday. The list was announced on June 2, 2026.

The 2026 committee included Thom Browne, Chloe Malle, Nicole Phelps, Aurora James, Christopher John Rogers, Paloma Elsesser, Eva Chen of Instagram, Denise Magid of Bloomingdale's and Yumi Shin of Nordstrom. Chloe Malle, Denise Magid, Yumi Shin and Christopher John Rogers are new to the committee this year, according to the CFDA.

Aurora James is listed with Brother Vellies and the Fifteen Percent Pledge. Chloe Malle and Nicole Phelps are listed with Vogue, and Eva Chen with Instagram.

Phelps tied the finalists to America's 250th birthday, calling them a timely reminder of the diversity, resourcefulness and deep creativity of homegrown talent.

The first presentations to the judges were scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, followed that evening by a cocktail hosted by Vogue and the CFDA in partnership with Nordstrom.

The winner and runners-up were named at the gala dinner on Oct. 20, more than four months after the finalist list was published. The judging and the June cocktail fall between the two dates.

Prize Money and Mentorship

The prize pairs money with mentorship. Fashionista reports that the winner receives $300,000 along with business mentorships from industry leaders. Its report says the runners-up receive $100,000 each and further mentorship opportunities.

The CFDA says the winner, the two runners-up and all finalists receive business mentorship as a pathway to success. No details of the format or length of the mentorship have been announced.

Across the three announced cash prizes, the total is $500,000, calculated as $300,000 for the winner and $100,000 for each runner-up. The winner's award is the largest of the three.

The announced prize is cash and mentorship. No retail placement for the winner has been announced, and neither the CFDA nor Fashionista names one.

Supporters and the Material Innovation Challenge

Five organisations are listed as supporters: Bloomingdale's, Humane World for Animals, Instagram, Nordstrom and Vogue.

Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's each have a representative on the selection committee: Yumi Shin for Nordstrom and Denise Magid for Bloomingdale's. Nordstrom also partnered with Vogue and the CFDA on the June cocktail. Eva Chen represents Instagram on the committee.

Humane World for Animals is the design challenge partner this season and invites finalists to take part in the Material Innovation Challenge. The challenge highlights innovative bio-based textiles that help steer the fashion industry toward a sustainable and cruelty-free future.

The organisation has been an animal protection leader for more than 70 years. It was formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International.

Reactions and What Comes Next

Thom Browne, chairman of the CFDA, described the fund as an important reminder to keep championing original voices. He said that supporting their future is the responsibility of the industry, and that their individuality is what makes American fashion compelling.

Browne also said he looks forward to seeing what the finalists do next.

Chloe Malle, head of editorial content at American Vogue, said American fashion has no shortage of imagination. She said the designers are doing anything but follow the crowd, and that she is eager to see what all ten finalists develop next.

No further program steps have been announced beyond the mentorship, and no timetable for it has been given.