Banana Republic and the CFDA partner to promote emerging designers

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Sep 3, 2015

Banana Republic and the Council of Fashion Designers in America announced Wednesday a partnership to support emerging designers based in America.

Banana Republic and the CFDA selected two designers, one from New York City and another from Los Angeles, that will design and produce limited-edition collections in their local cities to be sold exclusively at Banana Republic flagship stores and online.

“We are proud to partner with the CFDA and its network of emerging designers and manufacturers,” says Marissa Webb, Creative Director of Banana Republic. “This new program is a great opportunity to provide mentorship and resources to help creative talent grow their business while designing and producing locally.”
 
The first of the two designers will be New York City-based CFDA designer and CFDA Fashion Incubator alumnus, Timo Weiland. Weiland will design a 12-piece, capsule women’s collection that will be cut-and-sewn in New York by Sn Productions and CFDA Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) grant winner, Sunrise Studio. The FMI is receiving a monetary that will be matched by New York City’s financial commitment to the program.

“Donna, Alan and I are honored to collaborate on the first CFDA x Banana Republic capsule collection for Spring 2016,” says Timo Weiland, founder of Timo 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.”
 
The collection will debut at Banana Republic’s Spring 2016 presentation during New York Fashion Week this month, and it will launch at the stores and online in March 2016.