CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Challenge Highlights Adaptive Fashion's Role

The 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Challenge placed adaptive fashion at the forefront of its annual competition, showcasing the work of ten emerging designers paired with muses from the accessibility consultancy Tilting the Lens. This initiative, co-led by prominent figures Sinéad Burke and Tommy Hilfiger, aims to redefine adaptive fashion as an essential aspect of luxury design rather than a niche segment.

On July 16, 2025, during an exclusive event held at Nine Orchard's rooftop greenhouse in New York City, the finalists met their muses for the first time, embarking on a collaborative journey to create adaptive garments that cater to varied disabilities and identities. "It’s important to understand what adaptive really means," stated Burke, a leading advocate for inclusivity in fashion and an educator at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. She emphasized that adaptive fashion should benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities.

Tommy Hilfiger, renowned for his pioneering work in adaptive design since launching his first collection in 2016, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Nobody ever thinks about the importance of adaptive fashion. We’ve been working in this space for years, but many designers haven’t yet engaged with it." Hilfiger serves both as a sponsor and a guest judge for the challenge, highlighting the significance of inclusive design in modern fashion.

This year’s participants include Ashlynn Park, Julian Louie, and Bach Mai, among others, each matched with muses who bring unique perspectives on disability and identity. For instance, Mai, who partnered with environmental and disability rights advocate Daphne Frias, remarked, "Couture is custom—it should eliminate struggles like the ones Daphne has faced. I’m excited to push couture forward with her."

The challenge's format involves two fittings for each designer and muse duo, culminating in a final presentation to be featured in a Vogue photo shoot. Throughout this process, Tilting the Lens will provide guidance on adaptive design principles, ensuring that the final pieces reflect both the designers' visions and the needs of their muses.

"This challenge is serious work. It’s not just about making one piece—it’s about learning from a different community and adapting that knowledge to my business and brand," noted Ashlynn Park. Such sentiments reveal a collective understanding among designers that adaptive fashion extends beyond aesthetics; it encompasses a broader narrative about inclusion and accessibility within the fashion industry.

As the event unfolded, industry luminaries including Zac Posen and Aurora James mingled, fostering an environment ripe for collaboration and innovation. Reflecting on the potential impact of the challenge, Hilfiger concluded, "Fashion that’s not just adaptive—but fashion that makes a real difference in people’s lives." This initiative signifies a pivotal moment in the fashion industry, advocating for a future where adaptive design is integral to luxury fashion, thereby enhancing the lives of all consumers, regardless of their physical abilities.