Banana Republic and the Council of Fashion Designers of America are teaming to support emerging designers in the U.S. operating locally with domestic design and production.
“This new program is a great opportunity to provide mentorship and resources to help creative talent grow their business while designing and producing locally,” said Marissa Webb, creative director of Banana Republic.
The partnership will include two limited-edition collections by designers in New York and Los Angeles, to be sold at select Banana Republic flagships and online.
The New York-based designer, Timo Weiland, an alumnus of the CFDA Fashion Incubator program, will create a women’s collection for spring of 12 styles in solids and custom prints, including dresses, tops, skirts and a blazer, cut and sewn in New York by Sunrise Studio, a CFDA Fashion Manufacturing Initiative grant winner, and Sn Productions.
Related Articles
Later, a Los Angeles-based designer, yet to be revealed, will be promoted in a similar way.
You May Also Like
Steven Kolb, president and chief executive officer of the CFDA, said the program will “help promote designers here in America and domestic manufacturing.”
As part of Banana Republic’s partnership with the CFDA, FMI is receiving a monetary contribution that will be matched by the city’s financial commitment to the program. FMI, in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corp., aims to nurture garment production in New York.
Weiland founded his brand in 2010 along with Alan Eckstein and Donna Kang. “Donna, Alan and I are honored to collaborate on the first CFDA by Banana Republic capsule collection for spring 2016,” said Weiland. “Since launching the brand, we have designed, cut and sewn our core signature woven styles in New York with factory partners based in the Garment District. Building upon this Made-in-New York aspect has been an integral part of our business and our story as a brand.”
Weiland’s capsule collection will make its debut at Banana Republic’s spring presentation during New York Fashion Week and launch at retail in March.