Fashion Trust US: Supporting Independent Fashion Designers

The landscape for independent fashion designers in the United States is currently defined by significant economic volatility, leaving many creators to navigate a system that Tania Fares, founder of Fashion Trust U.S., describes as fast and very commercially-driven without sufficient institutional support.

According to reporting by Vogue, the challenges facing these designers have intensified since Fashion Trust U.S. Launched in 2022. While the nonprofit aims to provide critical resources, the broader industry has seen a series of systemic failures that disproportionately impact small- to mid-sized brands.

Systemic Industry Instability

The struggle for independent labels is compounded by the collapse of several major retail platforms. Since 2023, multibrand online retailers including Ssense, Farfetch, and Matches have all filed for bankruptcy.

Further instability occurred at the end of 2024 when Saks acquired Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus to form Saks Global. Shortly after this consolidation, the group faced its own solvency issues and entered a restructuring process.

Vogue notes that in the wake of these bankruptcies, small- to mid-sized independent brands are typically the ones left unpaid, creating a precarious financial environment for emerging talent.

the introduction of tariffs in 2025 has forced designers to manage rising costs associated with importing, production, and selling their work, further reshaping the global fashion map.

The Role of Fashion Trust U.S.

Fashion Trust U.S. Operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to bridge the gap in American institutional support. Unlike cities such as Milan or Paris, which offer robust support schemes, the U.S. Lacks government funding for designers and possesses few award schemes.

The organization focuses on supporting emerging U.S.-based designers through a combination of financial grants and mentorships. Each year, sixteen finalists are selected and voted on by a board of fashion industry members, with the winners announced at the annual Fashion Trust U.S. Award Show Gala.

Applications for the program are free and open to various categories, including:

• Ready-to-Wear
• Jewelry
• Accessories
• Graduates

2025 Award Winners

The 2025 winners reflect the organization’s commitment to diverse sectors of the fashion industry:

• Honorary Award: Anthony Vaccarello of Saint Laurent
• Ready-to-Wear Award: Rachel Scott of Diotima
• Sustainability Award: Kwame Adusei of Kwame Adusei
• Jewelry Award: Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz of Beck
• Accessories Award: Dani Griffiths of Clyde
• Graduate Award: Patrick Taylor of Patrick Taylor

While the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund remains the most notable private fund in the country—having awarded over $8 million to young talent—Tania Fares argues that more initiatives are needed given the scale of the United States and the speed of its commercial market.

The organization continues to seek donations to provide designers with the resources necessary to reach the next level of professional excellence and maintain their brands amidst ongoing economic pressures.