“The 40 new members – the highest number joining the organization in its history – add to the diversity of the CFDA community,” said Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA. New members include designers in such categories as jewelry, eyewear, swimwear, lingerie and millinery from locations such as Los Angeles, Miami, Kansas City, Mo., and Austin, Tex.
Among the new members are Ana Khouri; Louise Camuto of the Camuto Group; Shayne Oliver of Hood by Air; Misha Nonoo; Nellie Partow; Rosie Assoulin; Gigi Burris of Gigi Burris Millinery; Sally LaPointe; Paul Andrew; Tanya Taylor; Siki Im; Francesca Amfitheatrof of Tiffany & Co., and Tome’s Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin.
In addition, the CFDA voted to make Diane von Furstenberg chairman. Her title had previously been president. Kolb, ceo, adds the title of president. Lisa Smilor, executive director, was elevated to executive vice president.
CFDA board member Reed Krakoff will host the new members party at his home on Oct. 27. Krakoff became admissions committee chairman this year, succeeding Stan Herman, who had served in that role since 2006.
Admissions occur each spring. The application includes a resume, portfolio and other materials that represent the candidate’s work to date and two letters of recommendation from active CFDA members in the same area of design. The candidates must be American citizens designing in the U.S. or abroad or foreign nationals with businesses based in the U.S.