The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced on Wednesday the launch of two new initiatives aimed at strengthening American fashion manufacturing, supporting workforce development, and driving innovation and economic growth.
CFDA unveils new fashion manufacturing grants backed by Ralph Lauren. – Ralph Lauren
The first initiative, the CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund, is supported by funding from both the New York State Department of State and Ralph Lauren Corporation and will provide partially matching grants to designers and manufacturers based in New York City’s Garment District. The program will distribute grants in two rounds, scheduled for 2026 and 2027, to Garment District–based fashion manufacturers as well as designers producing in-house.
The second, the U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund, was created with Ralph Lauren as its founding partner and will offer support to apparel manufacturers nationwide. It will operate from 2027 through 2029 and extend support beyond New York to major apparel-producing regions including California, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Florida, among others. The program will provide partially matching grants covering up to 80 percent of each award, with recipient manufacturers contributing the remaining 20 percent.
“Strengthening American manufacturing to ensure designers have local partners has long been at the core of CFDA’s mission,” said Steven Kolb, CEO and president of the CFDA.
“We are proud to extend our decade-plus work with Ralph Lauren Corporation and expand to a national level while also continuing our local NYC investments alongside our first-ever partnership with the New York State Department of State.”
The new funds build on the CFDA’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI), launched in 2013 in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Andrew Rosen and long-term supporters including Ralph Lauren.
To date, Ralph Lauren has contributed $2 million as FMI’s premier underwriter, enabling grants to 54 factories and supporting more than 2,000 jobs across the sector.
“Our expanded partnership with the CFDA reflects Ralph Lauren’s enduring commitment to advancing innovation and supporting American fashion,” said Katie Ioanilli, chief global impact & communications officer, Ralph Lauren Corporation.
“This is not only an investment in our industry — it’s an investment in a vital part of American culture that we share with the world.”
Thirty-seven days and counting: Elizabeth Scarlett, lifestyle and accessories brand has Valentine’s Day firmly in its sights, announcing a creative partnership with Dalloway Terrace, London’s dining destination at The Bloomsbury.
Elizabeth Scarlett
Bringing together two British brands “united by a shared love of beauty and storytelling”, the collaboration will see Dalloway Terrace transformed into an immersive space “celebrating love, nature and artistry”. It’s a trend we’re seeing more and more often with brands linking up with complementary destinations in a way that benefits both partners.
Inspired by Elizabeth Scarlett’s signature wildflower motifs – the terrace will feature a specially commissioned floral installation, “drawing guests into the brand’s romantic, nature-led world”.
At the heart of the partnership is a limited-edition Afternoon Tea, specially created to celebrate the partnership with a special menu (pastries and sweets inspired by the brand’s signature storytelling).
To mark the event, every guest who books a space on the day will receive a complimentary limited-edition Elizabeth Scarlett love heart stripe pouch (RRP £38), created for the collaboration. Some of the proceeds will also be donated to wildlife conservation.
Elizabeth Petrides, founder of Elizabeth Scarlett said: “We wanted to create a moment where guests can slow down, look closer, and feel immersed in the natural world – even in the heart of the city. From the wildflowers that surround you to the wildlife artwork at the core of our brand, it honours the magic that happens when artistry and nature meet.”
The CGT labour union at LVMH‘s champagne units called for new strike action next Thursday, as it seeks to pressure management to compensate workers for lost bonuses.
The LVMH business includes fashion and refreshments – DR
CGT labour representatives from the Moet&Chandon and Veuve Clicquot champagne houses said in a video addressed to workers on Friday that they should drop their tasks for “at least three hours.” The union launched protests last month against a cut in annual bonuses and other benefits at the world’s largest luxury group, even as it keeps The group hasn’t yet publicly commented on the labour dispute. LVMH’s Moet Hennessy alcohol division had no immediate comment when contacted by Reuters on Friday.
Management at the unit had offered to pay a one-off 1,000 euros ($1,162.20) payment to workers after it said it would not pay usual annual bonuses amid a decline in sales, said the CGT, an offer “not at the height of our expectations.”
“It is really important to continue to put pressure on the company,” a CGT official said in the video message, adding that further talks are planned for Wednesday. So far, no strike action has been announced at LVMH’s other drinks businesses, including the Hennessy cognac brand.
Luxury retailer Saks Global is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as soon as Sunday, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Shoppers walk outside the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., January 6, 2026 – REUTERS/Angelina Katsanis
The owner of New York’s century-old Fifth Avenue flagship store is preparing to file for bankruptcy without a restructuring deal in place, though it aims to craft one in the coming weeks, according to the report.
The company is also in advanced discussions on about $1.25 billion debtor-in-possession financing package with creditors, which would allow it to keep its business running during bankruptcy and pay vendor dues, the report added.
Saks Global did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.