Announcing the Winners of the 2024 RAISEfashion Designer Production Fund

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, emerging designers often face one persistent challenge: access to production capital. Recognizing this critical gap, RAISEfashion launched the Designer Production Fund (DPF) — a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering underrepresented fashion designers through direct financial support and strategic mentorship.

What Is the RAISEfashion Designer Production Fund?

The DPF is a specialized funding program designed to help emerging fashion designers scale their businesses by providing essential production capital. Many designers struggle to produce collections due to high minimum order quantities (MOQs) and upfront manufacturing costs. The DPF directly addresses these barriers by offering financial resources to cover production expenses, ensuring designers can bring their collections to life.

Why It Matters

The global fashion industry generates billions of dollars annually, yet many promising designers are unable to scale due to financial limitations. The DPF bridges this gap by supporting independent brands often overlooked by traditional funding sources. This initiative is particularly focused on uplifting designers from marginalized communities, driving diversity and inclusivity in the fashion ecosystem.

Key Features of the Fund

1. Production Capital: Designers receive grants or no-interest loans to cover essential production costs.

2. Mentorship & Networking: Recipients gain access to RAISEfashion’s network of industry leaders, including manufacturers, retailers, and marketing experts.

3. Business Development Support: The program includes workshops on business strategy, financial management, and brand scaling.

The 2024 Winners

This year’s recipients of the RAISEfashion Designer Production Fund were recently announced, and the lineup showcases a remarkable group of talented designers. The winners will receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, empowering them to bring their creative visions to life and scale their production.

Here are the 2024 winners:

• Aisling Camps: Founder of Aisling Camps, her designs blend technical expertise with elegant knitwear, creating contemporary and luxurious pieces.

• Charles Harbison: The creative force behind Harbison Studio, Charles is celebrated for his inclusive approach to modern fashion, offering sophisticated and bold designs.

• Áwet Woldegebriel: Founder of Áwet New York, Woldegebriel’s brand emphasizes timeless, refined, and meticulously crafted pieces that tell a story.

• Rachel Scott: Founder of Diotima, Scott is known for her intricate craftsmanship, blending Jamaican heritage with contemporary design.

• Tracy Green: Co-founder of Vontelle, Green reinvents eyewear with bold patterns and cultural flair, making a statement in both style and function.

These designers represent the diversity, innovation, and resilience that the RAISEfashion initiative champions. From redefining sustainability to celebrating cultural heritage, each winner is poised to leave an indelible mark on the fashion industry.

Why You Should Support the Fund

Investing in the DPF means supporting the next generation of fashion innovators. As consumers become increasingly conscious of sustainability, equity, and representation, the Fund plays a crucial role in reshaping the fashion landscape by enabling diverse talent to thrive.

The RAISEfashion Designer Production Fund helps fosters an inclusive global fashion industry. By bridging the gap between creativity and commerce, the DPF is setting a new standard for what it means to invest in the future of fashion.

Learn more or apply at RAISEfashion.org.