It’s certainly been a big week for Chloe Gosselin, who found out on Wednesday evening that she was a finalist for the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize.
Other finalists include Newbark duo Maryam and Marjan Malakpour, Adam Selman, Area’s Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk, Brock Collection’s Kristopher Brock and Laura Vassar, Ji Oh, Krewe du Optic’s Stirling Barrett, Morgan Lane’s Morgan Curtis, Rochambeau’s Laurence Chandler and Joshua Cooper and Stampd’s Chris Stamp.
The winner will be named in November and will be awarded $400,000 to help fund his or her business. FN caught up with Gosselin after the big announcement to find out what the recognition means to her and what she’s most excited about heading into the competition
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How will this recognition help bring exposure to your label?
“I have the tendency to work and always look forward, think of the next challenge and never really take the time to appreciate victories — and what I have accomplished. Being selected by the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund is a huge validation of my hard work. It is still very surreal, and I’m beyond grateful. It will definitely bring exposure to the brand. There is no platform like this, and I’m really looking forward to share my collection with a wider audience.”
What do you hope to learn from this experience?
“Entering the contest was really about the mentorship for me. I’ve done a lot on my own, but it’s time for me to get some serious business advice. I can’t wait to learn and grow while participating in the competition.”
What do you think it will be like to get feedback from top designers, retailers and editors in the competition?
“It will be priceless, maybe challenging, but I’m ready for it.”
Do you know any of the other designers who are finalists?
“I knew most of the brands by their work but didn’t know any of the designers personally. We all got to chat, and they are all very nice and super talented.”
Who is the first person you called when you found out the news?
“My fiancé, David, and my daughter Sky.”
