Banana Republic and the Council of Fashion Designers of America Announce a New Partnership Supporting Emerging Designers Who Design and Produce in the U.S.

NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Banana Republic and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) are excited to announce a partnership dedicated to supporting emerging designers based in America who design and produce in their local cities.

With this partnership, Banana Republic and the CFDA are committed to supporting designers located in America and American manufacturing. The partnership will include two limited-edition collections sold exclusively at select Banana Republic flagship stores and online. The program will spotlight one New York-based designer, who will create a capsule collection for Spring 2016, which is designed, cut and sewn exclusively in New York. This is going to be followed by a collection from a Los Angeles-based designer, which will be designed and produced exclusively in Los Angeles.

"We are proud to partner with the CFDA and its network of emerging designers and manufacturers," says Marissa Webb, Creative Director of Banana Republic. "This new program is a great opportunity to provide mentorship and resources to help creative talent grow their business while designing and producing locally." 

"Banana Republic is a quintessential American retailer, which makes them the perfect partner to support our mission to help promote designers here in America and domestic manufacturing," said Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA.

For the first collaboration, Banana Republic will work with designer Timo Weiland, an alumnus of the CFDA {FASHION INCUBATOR} program, on a womenswear collection for Spring 2016. The capsule will include twelve styles in solids and in custom prints, including dresses, tops, skirts and a blazer cut and sewn in New York by Sunrise Studio, a CFDA Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) grant winner, and Sn Productions.

As part of Banana Republic's partnership with the CFDA, FMI is receiving a monetary contribution that will be matched by the City's financial commitment to the program. FMI, in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, aims to nurture, elevate, and preserve garment production in New York City.

"Donna, Alan and I are honored to collaborate on the first CFDA x Banana Republic capsule collection for Spring 2016," says Timo Weiland, founder of Timo Weiland. "Since launching the brand, we have designed, cut and sewn our core signature woven styles in New York with factory partners based in the Garment District. Building upon this Made-in-New York aspect has been an integral part of our business and our story as a brand."

The collection will debut at Banana Republic's Spring 2016 presentation during New York Fashion Week in September, and launch at retail in March 2016.

ABOUT BANANA REPUBLIC (@BananaRepublic)

Banana Republic is a global apparel and accessories brand focused on delivering versatile, contemporary style.  Through thoughtful design, Banana Republic provides a wardrobe of favorites to style and wear time and time again in new ways.  Banana Republic offers fragrances, clothing, eyewear, jewelry, shoes and handbags with detailed craftsmanship and luxurious materials.  Founded in San Francisco, Banana Republic is located in more than 750 company-operated and franchise retail locations worldwide.

About the CFDA (@CFDA)

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1962 that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 450 of America's foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers. In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, which recognize the top creative talent in the industry, the organization owns the Fashion Calendar, and serves as the official keeper of New York Fashion Week. It stages the bi-annual New York Fashion Week; Men's. It also offers programs which support professional development and scholarships, including the CFDA {Fashion Incubator}, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholar Award, the Liz Claiborne Design Scholarship Award and the CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship. Member support is provided through the Strategic Partnerships Group, a high-profile group of companies offering designers strategic opportunities. The CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate, not-for-profit organized to mobilize the membership to raise funds for charitable causes. Through the Foundation, the CFDA created and manages the worldwide Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative; raises funds for HIV/AIDS organizations and addresses the issue of model health with The CFDA Health Initiative.

For more information, please visit www.CFDA.com, facebook.com/cfda, twitter.com/cfda, cfda.tumblr.com, and youtube.com/cfdatv.

ABOUT Timo Weiland (@TimoWeiland)

Co-founded in 2010 by Timo Weiland, Alan Eckstein and Donna Kang, Timo Weiland is a New York based Womens and Menswear brand. Built around the ethos of creating clothes to live in, the collections are inspired by the multifaceted lifestyles of the designers and those around them. Drawing from a shared love of music, travel and contemporary culture, Timo Weiland presents an updated take on classic American sensibilities. Known for eclectic combinations of fabrics and detailing, the collection places focus on quality and wearability, while injecting touches of the designers' distinct brand of playfulness. Modern prep meets streetwear, with a touch of romance, the brand encompasses the adventurous spirit of New York city.

SOURCE Banana Republic