Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Wednesday.
The 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund application is open
Applications for the 2025 class of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund are now open through Friday, April 4. Eligible designers must be based in the U.S., have at least a two-year-old brand, have 30 or fewer employees and less than a $10 million yearly revenue. The judging committee includes industry experts like Vogue‘s Anna Wintour, Instagram’s Eva Chen, the CFDA’s Steven Kolb, designer Thom Browne, Gap Inc.’s Zac Posen and model Paloma Elsesser. The 10 finalists will be announced in June. Apply here. {CFDA}
Suzy Amis Cameron launches Inside Out LLC
Environmental Advocate Suzy Amis Cameron launched her latest venture Inside Out LLC, a global collective that “offers ecological and ethical solutions for the world’s most urgent challenges” across six sectors. The company will work with a portfolio of clients, and combine science, technology and education to achieve social and environmental impact. “Inside Out is more than a company; it’s a movement to reimagine how business interacts with the planet and its people,” Cameron said in a statement. “We’re setting a bold new standard where profit aligns with purpose, and innovation drives restoration.” {Fashionista inbox}
Rent the Runway deepens its stock amid new strategy
Rent the Runway (RTR) is implementing an inventory-centric strategy, with more units, deeper stock, new styles and multiple designer collaborations, Puck’s Sarah Shapiro reported. This marks its largest inventory investment in all its 15 years of business. The strategy pivot is a bid to recover ground, as it has faced severe financial struggles over the past few years. RTR CEO and Co-Founder Jenn Hyman likened the initiative to Sephora, which has become a “discovery engine for beauty” by showcasing more indie brands. “The hottest brands in the world are coming to us now because they see us as a marketing opportunity and a place where customers can really find the latest and greatest in designer fashion in constant rotation,” Hyman said. {Puck/paywalled}
Simone Ashley covers Who What Wear
Photo: Max vom Hofe/Courtesy of Who What Wear
Simone Ashley is the Who What Wear March 2025 cover star. Photographed by Max vom Hofe and styled by Gary David Moore, the actor appears in a yellow, black and white color-blocked Missoni dress. In conversation with Liv Little for the accompanying cover story, Ashley talked about working alongside Damson Idris and Brad Pitt in the upcoming film “F1”, working in “Bridgerton” Season 4 and teasing her upcoming music debut. {Who What Wear}
Retailers issue a cautious outlook for 2025
Fashion retailers are issuing conservative financial forecasts for 2025 as they brace for tariffs, a potential recession and spending pullback. With the future state of the economy uncertain, retailers must tread carefully to keep costs low. Advised steps include hiring freezes, decreased or no raises and less inventory. Companies should also keep prices steady, even if it means losing margin. However, this year still provides an opportunity for growth by investing in digital customer experiences and product curation. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}
Andie launches incubator program
Swimwear brand Andie launched a semi-annual incubator program to help provide women-led businesses with resources and mentorship. Applications close on April 8. The chosen recipient will receive a $5,000 grant, a leading pitch deck consultant for financial advice, one-on-one mentorship with key Andie executives and $10,000 in free legal services. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old and female-identifying entrepreneurs with a consumer-facing, product-driven business in the pre-launch, development or early stage. Apply here. {Retail Dive}
Source: Fashionista.com
