Genesis and the Council of Fashion Designers of America reveal second annual design + innovation grant winner
NEW YORK, – Genesis and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) are thrilled to announce Olivia Cheng of Dauphinette as the second annual CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant winner. Celebrating its second year, the program continued its inaugural mission to amplify the work of AAPI designers, offering participants support from notable industry mentors and funding from Genesis to create a fashion collection that reflects their Asian heritage.
Emerging designers Bach Mai, Dauphinette, and Kozaburo presented their final collections to a distinguished panel of judges. Olivia Cheng was announced as the grant’s second-ever winner at a private event at Genesis House on February 4th.
“We’re honored to continue championing the immense talent within the AAPI community through our pioneering program with the CFDA,” said Rachel Espersen, executive director, brand experience, Genesis House & Studios, at Genesis Motor America. “All of our finalists have consistently demonstrated their extraordinary expertise and ingenuity over the last five months, and we look forward to watching them continue to thrive as they grow their individual businesses.”
CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant winner, Dauphinette, produced a bespoke collection inspired by the small window of time that occurs between the changing seasons titled “Clove.” Centered around preserving and reframing natural materials, the collection honors the nostalgia and significance of the gingko tree across East Asian cultures and in Cheng’s own family growing up. Each look represents a clove and incorporates real nature elements (from 24k-gold electroplated gingko leaves to lotus flowers from her mother’s garden to a jacket made from over 10,000 sequins hand-punched from beetle wings) with urban dress codes and tones inspired by Seoul, Korea.
“I’m deeply humbled, honored, and excited to be selected as this year’s Genesis House AAPI Innovation Grant recipient. Participating in this program has not only been instrumental in my journey as a designer and business owner, but it has connected me to a room full of people who I know will be lifelong friends and mentors,” said Olivia Cheng. “I’m grateful to Genesis House and the CFDA for supporting me not only as a designer, but as a champion for sustainable design and innovative creation.”
Genesis and the CFDA announced the return of the grant in June 2024, selecting Bach Mai, Olivia Cheng of Dauphinette, and Kozaburo as the three finalists from a pool of applicants. The participants each received a $40,000 grant on behalf of Genesis to finance their design innovations and participated in an immersion trip to Seoul, South Korea to seek cultural inspiration for their collections. The designers were also provided expertise and counsel from an advisory board of global fashion and business leaders including:
- Alina Cho (Journalist)
- Eva Chen (Vice President of Fashion, Meta)
- Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim (Founders, Monse)
- Jodie Chan (VP of Global Marketing & Communications, Carolina Herrera)
- Rachel Espersen (Executive Director, Genesis Brand Experience, Genesis House & Studio)
- Sandra Park (Vice President Merchandise Manager – Menswear, Saks)
- Stephanie Horton (Senior Director Global Marketing, Google)
- Steven Kolb (CEO, CFDA)
- Tina Leung (Stylist and Influencer)
- Wen Zhou (Co-Founder, 3.1 Phillip Lim)
Guests at the private showcase held at Genesis House viewed the collections and heard from the finalists about the inspiration behind their designs. Olivia Cheng was awarded an additional $60,000 for the development of her collection, bringing the total grant awarded to $100,000. The final designs will remain on display at Genesis House through February 16th.
“We are extremely proud to congratulate Olivia Cheng of Dauphinette for becoming the second recipient of this landmark program, which celebrates, nurtures and sets up emerging AAPI designers with the necessary capital, tools, mentorship and industry experience to become viable businesses in our industry,” Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO, said. “Celebrating the work of the three finalists right before New York Fashion Week sets the perfect tone for the American collections with the artistry on display at Genesis House.”
Genesis House is a sophisticated oasis located in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District, offering experiences influenced by Korean culture and community, culinary excellence, and innovative architecture and technology. Consisting of the Showroom, Restaurant, and Cellar Stage, the lifestyle space evokes audacious design, progressive function and a distinctly Korean atmosphere that showcases the Genesis brand in harmony and balance with its surroundings.
