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Vilcek Foundation to award $300K to immigrant fashion professionals
The awards aim to highlight the impact of immigrants on the American fashion industry, a sector shaped by the talent and creativity of designers, stylists, writers, researchers, and other professionals.
Andrew Bolton, winner of the 2015 Vilcek Prize in Fashion. / Vilcek Foundation
The Vilcek Foundation has announced that it will award a total of $300,000 to six immigrant fashion professionals in the United States as part of the 2026 Vilcek Foundation Prizes for Creative Promise.
The awards, which recognize contributions to the fields of fashion and culture as well as fashion and design, will grant each recipient an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000. Applications are open until Jun.9, 2025.
The prizes aim to highlight the impact of immigrants on the American fashion industry, a sector shaped by the talent and creativity of designers, stylists, writers, researchers, and other professionals. “Winning the Vilcek Prize in Fashion was an incredible honor and a deeply personal milestone,” said Siki Im, a past recipient of the prize.
He added: “It recognized not only my creative journey but also the unique perspective I bring as an immigrant in the fashion industry. Today, as barriers seem more prevalent, the Vilcek Prize serves as a powerful reminder and mediator of who built and continues to push the United States forward—a nation shaped by the talent, creativity, and resilience of immigrants.”
The foundation’s president, Rick Kinsel, stressed the importance of supporting emerging talent in the industry. “Immigrants like Telfar Clemens, Prabal Gurung, Mario Sorrenti, and Tina Leung have changed the United States fashion industry for the better,” Kinsel said. “Our Creative Promise Prizes amplify and support promising young immigrants as they hone their craft and lend their unique perspectives to enrich American fashion.”
The awards will be divided into two categories: Fashion & Culture and Fashion & Design. The Fashion & Culture category will recognize immigrants working in roles such as fashion writing, academic research, curation, styling, and image-making, including photography, animation, and fashion technology.
The Fashion & Design category will honor designers specializing in clothing, textiles, accessories, and sustainable innovations, as well as professionals in material development, wearable technology, and beauty industries.
Applicants must be no older than 38 and have lived in the United States for at least four years. They must also have at least five years of professional experience and have completed three professional solo or collective projects. A jury of fashion experts appointed by the Vilcek Foundation will review the applications after the June deadline, selecting recipients based on the rigor and impact of their work.
The winners will receive national recognition from the Vilcek Foundation, along with a commemorative trophy and the cash award.
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