The energy inside the Crane Club was palpable as fashion’s most influential figures gathered to celebrate the future of American design. Tonight, Zane Li, the visionary force behind the rising brand Lii, was officially named the 2026 winner of the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The coveted title caps off a remarkable, whirlwind year for the designer and cements his status as one of the most exciting new talents on the global fashion stage.
The high-profile evening commenced with an intimate gathering of industry icons, including Vera Wang, Henry Zankov, Wes Gordon of Carolina Herrera, Christopher John Rogers, and Tory Burch, all coming together to toast the next generation of creative minds. As guests settled into dinner, Thom Browne, Chairman of the CFDA, took to the microphone to reflect on the grit, determination, and unyielding perseverance required to build an independent fashion house from the ground up during the 2000s.
Recounting the trials of his own entrepreneurial journey, Browne shared a deeply personal perspective with the room, stating that he loved the craft more than anyone else and always trusted that eventually, the industry would understand his vision. Following Browne’s inspiring remarks, Vogue’s Head of Editorial Content, Chloe Malle, and celebrated model Mona Tougaard stepped onto the stage. Together, they commended all ten of this year’s exceptionally talented CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists before Tougaard finally revealed the much-anticipated results of the competition.
For Li, a Chongqing-born, New York-based designer, the victory is the culmination of a breakout year defined by monumental milestones. His journey through 2026 has been nothing short of extraordinary. Back in April, Li earned widespread critical acclaim and took home the esteemed Fashion Trust US Ready-to-Wear Award. Just a few months later in September, his momentum continued when he was declared the winner of the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at the prestigious LVMH Prize ceremony in Paris.
Now, Li brings his momentous 2026 to a triumphant close by securing a third major accolade: a transformative cash prize of $300,000 courtesy of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, alongside invaluable, high-level mentorship from seasoned industry experts designed to help scale his business for the future.
Reflecting on the realities of building his young enterprise earlier in the finalist process, Li spoke candidly about the unique pressures faced by emerging independent designers. While the creative aspects—such as curating show music, selecting the exact shade of carpet for a runway presentation, and defining the aesthetic direction of a collection—offer immense personal joy and total artistic control, the operational realities present a formidable hurdle. Balancing income, revenue streams, managing losses, and accounting for every dollar spent can quickly transform a lifelong artistic passion into a demanding corporate job.
Yet, standing as the winner of one of fashion’s most rigorous talent incubators, Li viewed his latest achievement with a sense of wonder and validation. He described the moment as surreal, noting that given the sheer intensity of everything his team has navigated over the past year, this victory serves as a profoundly meaningful milestone. Recalling his personal migration to the United States at the age of 18, Li noted that he never initially envisioned building a fashion career in Europe. Instead, New York City became his crucible—the starting point where he chose to challenge himself and take his first true steps toward understanding the fashion industry.
Thom Browne underscored the enduring mission of the initiative during the evening’s celebrations, emphasizing that the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund serves as a vital reminder of why the industry must continually champion original voices and authentic, unfiltered creativity. Browne noted that every single finalist from this year’s cohort brought a distinct, uncompromising point of view that belonged entirely to them. This unique individuality is precisely what makes American fashion so compelling on a global scale, making it the shared responsibility of the established fashion community to support and safeguard their futures.
Alongside Li, two exceptionally talented runners-up were celebrated during the ceremony, each receiving $100,000 to fuel the continued growth and expansion of their respective brands. Aisling Camps, a Trinidadian-born engineer-turned-knitwear designer, earned runner-up status following her critically praised, official runway debut at New York Fashion Week just last month. Sharing the runner-up podium was Emily Dawn Long, whose tongue-in-cheek "Spoiled Boys" T-shirts became an inescapable street style staple, frequently spotted on prominent cultural figures and celebrities throughout the summer months.
The wider group of 2026 finalists showcased the remarkable breadth and diversity of contemporary American design. The cohort included Amir Taghi, Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch TongTong, Jamie Haller, Julia Ferentinos of Juju Vera, George Inaki of Milamore, Claire Sullivan of Miss Claire Sullivan, and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen. Together, this eclectic group represents a burgeoning renaissance in American fashion, encompassing everything from custom made-to-order ateliers and conceptual wearable art to fine jewelry and a dynamic new wave of contemporary ready-to-wear. Their designs are heavily informed by their vastly different personal backgrounds and cultural experiences.
Reinforcing the overarching theme of the night, Browne reiterated his belief that the single most important asset a designer can possess is a distinct point of view. By sharing personal and original stories with the world through clothing, creators offer something that no one else can replicate. The future of American fashion, he concluded, relies entirely on nurturing that individual vision and standing firmly in support of one another.
