BHF Announces Inaugural Cohort of Emerging Designers
Sharif Hamza/British Vogue
The Bethann Hardison Foundation today named five designers as the first class of its emerging-talent program — selected for their creative vision, business resilience, and potential to shape the next chapter of American fashion. The cohort will receive eighteen months of mentorship, operational guidance, and industry access from BHF's board of directors.
The program builds on decades of advocacy work led by Bethann Hardison, who founded the foundation in 2025 after a career spanning modeling, agency leadership, documentary direction, and industry organizing. "Designers don't fail for lack of talent," Hardison said. "They fail for lack of structure around the talent. That's what we're here to provide."
Designers don't fail for lack of talent. They fail for lack of structure around the talent.
- Bethann Hardison
Selection
Cohort members were nominated by an industry council that included representatives from the CFDA, Gucci, Kering, and Vogue. Each finalist completed a portfolio review and a business-fundamentals interview with BHF's executive director, Kristine King, and the board's vice chair, Susan Chokachi.
The 2026 cohort represents womenswear, menswear, accessories, and textile innovation, with designers based in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Houston.
What the cohort receives
Each designer will be paired with a mentor from BHF's board and an operating advisor from the foundation's industry network. Programming over the eighteen months includes monthly mentor sessions, quarterly cohort retreats, a dedicated press and PR push at New York Fashion Week, and access to BHF's wholesale and showroom partners.
The full cohort will be announced publicly on May 15, 2026, with a launch event during Pride Month at the foundation's offices.
Support the program
The Bethann Hardison Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. To support the emerging-designer program directly, write info@bethannhardisonfoundation.org or learn more on the About page.