The Swarovski Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) are proud to announce the launch of the newly evolved Re:Generation Innovation Fund, building on the success of our Re:Generation Innovation Scholar Award. This initiative aims to provide support to early-stage creatives who place innovation at the heart of their business ventures, shaping the future of fashion.

Applications for the 2025 Re:Generation Innovation Fund are now open, welcoming early-stage individuals from a range of disciplines—from design creatives and material innovators to entrepreneurs developing innovative technologies, processes, and systems.

Building on a Legacy of Innovation

The CFDA and the Swarovski Foundation launched the Re:Generation Innovation Scholar Award in 2021 to support undergraduate students committed to innovation in fashion design. Over the course of three years, the programme awarded $90,000 in scholarships to three exceptional students, alleviating senior year tuition and thesis costs. Alongside financial support, recipients benefited from invaluable mentorship and industry connections, amplifying their potential to drive transformative change within the fashion industry.‍

A New Chapter for Early-Stage Creatives

The Re:Generation Innovation Fund marks a new chapter, expanding eligibility to early-stage professionals and providing enhanced opportunities. The recipient of the fund will receive:

• A $30,000 financial grant to advance their business venture.
• Business mentorship to refine their strategy and execution.
• Access to resources and a global community of industry leaders.
• An opportunity to showcase their vision to the CFDA and Swarovski Foundation network.

The selection process involves a competitive application, including interviews with a panel of industry experts and representatives from the CFDA and Swarovski Foundation.

Transformative Impact on Emerging Designers

The previous iteration of the award made a lasting impact on its recipients. Bailey Adams, a 2021 scholar and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, shared how the programme shaped his journey:

“Receiving the Re:Generation Innovation Scholar Award was a defining moment in my journey as a designer. The scholarship opened doors to mentorship and industry opportunities I could have only dreamed of. Through the programme, I deepened my understanding of sustainable materials and processes, which became the foundation of my thesis collection. I am grateful for the unwavering support that helped shape my vision for a more responsible and innovative fashion future.”

Similarly, Izzy Kostrzewa, another scholar, utilised the support to fund their senior year at Parsons School of Design and grow their brand, ISABOKO:

“The Re:Generation Innovation Scholar Award enabled me to truly channel my visions for my final collection and, more broadly, who I want to be as a designer. It gave me the financial freedom to fully dedicate myself to my thesis work, refine my approach to sustainable design, and confidently pursue my vision for gender-free fashion. I’m excited to see the program evolve further.”

Apply Now

Applications for the 2025 Re:Generation Innovation Fund are open until 19th February 2025 at 23:59 ET. Early-stage creatives with bold, innovative ideas are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity to advance their vision and shape the future of fashion.

Apply here