To kick off Berlin Fashion Week, the Fashion Council Germany and VOGUE Germany announced the launch of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund in Germany. At the Fireside Dinner "The Official BFW Opening" on February 5th at Grill Royal, attended by more than 280 invited industry professionals, the two project partners announced their collaboration. VOGUE has already successfully established the format in other markets, and its implementation in Germany sends a strong signal of support for local fashion. This initiative combines the combined strengths of both fashion institutions and builds upon a long-standing and successful partnership.

An important signal for fashion from Germany

With the launch of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund in Germany, VOGUE Germany and the Fashion Council Germany reaffirm their shared goal of promoting German fashion and create a platform that actively supports young design talents on their path into the industry. As the representative body for German fashion, the Fashion Council Germany offers participants, among other things, exclusive access to its internal network, thereby creating extensive networking opportunities. VOGUE Germany complements the partnership particularly well with its many years of experience with this format.

“German fashion holds a special place for VOGUE Germany, and we see it as our responsibility to promote it and increase its international visibility. Together with the Fashion Council Germany, we are therefore sending an important signal in support of emerging talent. The VOGUE Fashion Fund is one of the most prestigious international initiatives for paving the way for young talents to enter the industry. Creating a similar initiative for Germany has long been our goal. The fact that VOGUE Germany is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year provides the perfect opportunity to crown a winning brand with a big party this fall,” says Kerstin Weng, Head of Editorial Content at VOGUE Germany.

Scott Lipinski, CEO of Fashion Council Germany, adds: “Supporting emerging and exceptional talent has been a core value at Fashion Council Germany since our founding in 2015 and forms the basis of our work. Our projects consistently focus on supporting and promoting up-and-coming labels and designers in and from Germany at every stage of their careers. With the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund, we have now launched an initiative together with VOGUE Germany to support exceptional design talent not only financially, but also with a comprehensive mentoring program.”

The CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund, founded in the USA in 2003, enjoys a high international reputation. Prominent winning labels include Christopher John Rogers (2019), Joseph Altuzarra (2011), and, in 2023, the German designer Melitta Baumeister. In 2024, the CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund celebrated its 20th anniversary in the USA and now also has local editions in countries including the UK, Spain, and China.

In Germany, the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund is a year-round project, and applications have been accepted since February 6, 2024 (LINK ). Passionate fashion designers and brands based in Germany with a creative and innovative approach, and whose business activity is limited to a minimum of two years and a maximum of fifteen years, are eligible to apply.

The project is supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, as well as a renowned panel of experts, including Kerstin Weng, Head of Editorial Content at VOGUE Germany; Scott Lipinski, CEO of the Fashion Council Germany; Edward Enninful, OBE, Editorial Advisor to British VOGUE and Global Creative and Cultural Advisor to VOGUE; Margaret Zhang, Editor-in-Chief of VOGUE China; and Mumi Haiati, CEO and Founder of Reference Studios. During Berlin Fashion Week in July 2024, the panel will select seven finalists. The winning label will then be announced at an awards ceremony in Berlin in October 2024. The FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund includes a prize worth a total of €100,000. This includes a fashion show and production for Berlin Fashion Week in February 2025, a business mentoring program, and various communication initiatives.

Further details about the first edition of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund in Germany and all information about how to apply can now be found on VOGUE.de and on the website of the Fashion Council Germany .