New York-based designer Zane Li has been named the winner of the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, receiving a $300,000 prize and industry mentorship.

Designer Zane Li, founder of the brand Lii, was announced as the winner of the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund during a ceremony at The Crane Club in New York on Tuesday night. The Chongqing-born, New York-based designer, who is an FIT graduate, was selected from a group of 10 finalists. The award provides Li with $300,000 in funding and access to business mentorship from industry experts to support his brand's growth.

Runners-Up and Finalists

The competition also recognized two runners-up, Aisling Camps and Emily Dawn Long, who will each receive $100,000 to assist in the development of their respective brands. Camps is a Trinidadian-born engineer-turned-knitwear designer who recently debuted at New York Fashion Week, while Long is known for her 'Spoiled Boys' T-shirt line. The remaining finalists included Amir Taghi, Terrence Zhou, Jamie Haller, Julia Ferentinos, George Inaki, Claire Sullivan, and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen.

Industry Recognition and Support

The 2026 selection committee featured prominent industry figures, including Thom Browne, Aurora James, and Eva Chen. CFDA Chairman Thom Browne noted that the fund serves to champion original voices and individual creativity within American fashion. The program is supported by partners including Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Instagram, and Humane World for Animals. For Li, the win marks a significant conclusion to a year that also saw him receive the Fashion Trust US Ready-to-Wear Award and the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at the LVMH Prize ceremony.