CFDA launches programs supporting U.S. fashion manufacturing

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has announced two new initiatives aimed at strengthening fashion manufacturing in the United States, encouraging innovation, supporting workforce development and boosting economic growth in key apparel-producing regions. The two programs include the CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund and the U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund.

The CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund has been developed with support from the New York State Department of State and Ralph Lauren Corporation, while the U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund has been created with Ralph Lauren as its founding partner. Together, the programs will provide partially matching grants to designers and manufacturers, helping them upgrade equipment, expand services and invest in workforce training to improve long-term capacity and stability.

The CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund is focused on sustaining the New York City Garment District, which has long been the centre of American fashion production. The program will offer grants to local fashion manufacturers and designers producing in-house, with two funding rounds planned for 2026 and 2027. These grants will help businesses invest in innovation, increase production capacity and protect local jobs, supporting the revitalisation of the district.

The U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund will operate from 2027 to 2029 and extend financial support beyond New York to other major manufacturing regions, including California, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Florida. The program will offer partially matching grants to manufacturers investing in advanced equipment, digital tools and workforce training, with the fund covering 80 percent of the grant value and recipients contributing the remaining 20 percent.