Designer Kim Shui, Photo credit: kimshui, Chateau Marmont/Instagram

By Jailynn Taylor

As New York Fashion Week prepares to launch the global fashion calendar next week, the CFDA is falling in step, amplifying voices that represent the industry’s future. The organization, in partnership with Genesis House, has unveiled the three finalists for its third annual AAPI Design + Innovation Grant: Kim Shui, Allina Liu, and Terrence Zhou. The prestigious program champions Asian American and Pacific Islander designers who are redefining American fashion through bold innovation and authentic storytelling rooted in cultural identity.

Launched in 2022, the initiative provides financial backing, mentorship, and global exposure to AAPI designers. Each of the 2025 finalists will receive a $40,000 grant, access to CFDA resources, and guidance from a powerhouse advisory board. They’ll also travel to Seoul this fall for a cultural immersion trip designed to spark creativity ahead of their final presentations at Genesis House in February 2026. At that showcase, one designer will secure an additional $60,000, bringing their total award to $100,000.

For designer Allina Liu, this year marks a major milestone as she prepares to debut her first official collection at New York Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2026. Liu’s work often merges corsetry, delicate smocking, and floral motifs with a romantic yet subversive edge. Inspired by her Chinese heritage and provocative Asian artists, she balances intimacy with armor, crafting garments that feel both fragile and defiant. Her collections, featured in publications such as Vogue, WWD, and NYLON, showcase an aesthetic that balances softness and strength. This is evident in bustiers with raw seams and ruched dresses reimagined with sculptural elements.

To read the entire article: https://www.essence.com/fashion/cfda-aapi-genesis-3-0-finalists/