The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Banana Republic have unveiled a new partnership that supports both emerging designers based in the US as well as American manufacturing. It features one limited edition collection with a New York talent and a second with a Los Angeles one, CFDA said in a press release. First up is Timo Weiland, an alumnus of the CFDA {Fashion Incubator}. Banana Republic is working with New York-based Weiland on a Spring 2016 capsule that is designed, cut and sewn exclusively in New York. It will be shown as part of Banana Republic’s New York Fashion Week: Women’s presentation on Sept.12. The Weiland collaboration will be followed by a capsule created with a Los Angeles-based designer, who will be disclosed at a later date. That limited edition collection will be designed and produced exclusively in Los Angeles. ”Banana Republic is a quintessential American retailer, which makes them the perfect partner to support our mission to help promote designers here in America and domestic manufacturing,” CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb said. Banana Republic’s Creative Director Marissa Webb described the programme as “a great opportunity to provide mentorship and resources to help creative talent grow their business while designing and producing locally.” As part of the partnership, the CFDA Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) is receiving a monetary contribution that will be matched by the City’s financial commitment to the program. FMI, in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, aims to nurture, elevate, and preserve garment production in New York City. Weiland’s pieces will be cut and sewn in New York by Sunrise Studio, a CFDA FMI grant winner, and Sn Productions. “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,” Weiland said. “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 launch at retail next March 2016.
