The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and the Bezos Earth Fund have entered into a $6.25 million partnership to launch The Next Thread Initiative, a three-year program designed to accelerate innovation and education in sustainable fashion.

The initiative aims to support independent designers and emerging talent who are redefining how clothing is created, produced, and consumed. It will provide funding for designer awards, student scholarships, and storytelling projects intended to showcase the creative and commercial opportunities within sustainable fashion.

According to Steven Kolb, President and CEO, CFDA, this collaboration will equip designers and students with practical tools to help shape a more sustainable fashion industry. He specifically highlighted the instrumental leadership of Lauren Sánchez Bezos at the Bezos Earth Fund in turning ideas into action and fostering innovation. Kolb emphasized, the initiative aligns with the CFDA’s long-standing commitment to advancing sustainability in American fashion.

Those pioneering work in sustainable materials, circular design, and low-impact manufacturing will be eligible for grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing sustainable fashion design will receive scholarships between $25,000 and $75,000.

The CFDA plans to showcase the recipients' work through curated exhibitions, events, and digital storytelling campaigns to engage both industry professionals and the wider public.

Tom Taylor, Bezos Earth Fund President and CEO, noted, having reflected cultural shifts for long, the fashion industry now has the potential to become a catalyst for environmental change. In partnership with the CFDA Foundation, the Fund is investing in the next generation of designers and innovators who are shaping a more sustainable future for the industry, he noted.