CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund: What It’s Really Like to be a Finalist
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What is the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund and why should emerging designers consider applying?
Hello, and welcome back to Fashion and Founders Podcast. My name is Victoria Smith, and this week I'm joined by Ashley, the founder of Don't Let Disco, a jewelry brand focused on beads and their history, primarily focusing on vintage or upcycled pieces. She is a CFDA fund finalist and shares the real behind the scenes of what this process was like. Was it worth it? Who is it worth it for? Things she didn't know prior. Showing at New York Fashion Week, how she's able to afford showing at New York Fashion Week, just a lot of real advice. I also want to add that the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund for 2026 applications are now open and will close Friday, April 10th. And if you are considering it, or this is maybe the first you're hearing of it, this is such a must-listen to understand if it's for you and how to make
The most of it. And past finalists and winners include some really big names now in American fashion: Jonathan Simkay, Joseph Altuzara, Kid Super, Prenza Schuler, Tom Brown, Sandy Lang, and many others. And Ashley also has really tangible advice for people who are currently building their brands. She shares how she balanced this when she still had a full-time job, creating connections, working with brands. She's had a partnership with the real real, just a lot of knowledge to share on this subject. I was wearing one of Ashley's pieces in this episode, and everything she makes is just so beautiful and unique. I would highly recommend going to her website and Instagram. And if you're able to leave a rating and review and follow the show, it really helps the podcast grow and continue to get really cool guests like Ashley.
Thank you guys so much for listening, and let's get into it. Into it. And this week's brand highlight is the brand, I might pronounce this wrong because it's French, Point Melou, because I just released on Substack my ice blue edit. Because if you've been listening, you know I am obsessed with this color. And they have the cutest little pouches. One of them is in that color paired with a light pink. And they also have a gorgeous silk top in ice blue and so many other. really cool pieces that you can shop from. It's a French brand. And so you're gonna be getting something like a little bit different than what you see everybody else wearing. And for this episode, I want to shout out Glam Squad and Rent the Runway.
These have become two of my go-to services that have just really improved my life. Like you know how people make those lists of like things that improved my life in 2026? These are mine. Getting a A blowout at home. It just feels like such a luxury, but they make it so affordable. And they gave me a code to share with podcast listeners that is in all caps fashion founders for $20 off. And it doesn't have to be a blowout. You can also get your makeup done, your nails. I just have been using the blowout service far more. And rent the runway. You can get 50% off your first month with code in all caps RTRX. V Smith 50, but until tomorrow, March 23rd, it's 60% off. So I would highly recommend doing it before then.
And this has just really helped me spend less money taking away that impulse that you can sometimes feel when shopping because I know that I'll be getting a rotation of pieces that I can try out and style and see if it actually fits into my wardrobe before purchasing anything. I feel like we're about To enter into a season of a lot of events. And this is just such a good solution if you're gonna wear something once to be able to save money. They also just got thousands of new pieces for spring, and they just keep updating it every day. And I keep finding amazing pieces. Yeah. I can add some of like my favorites because I know if you're new to it, it can feel like a lot to look through. But I think I've kind of mastered it, so maybe I'll share that on
Substark. Hi Ashley. Hi. I am so excited that we get to have this conversation and everyone can learn more about Don't Let Disc Go.
Well, first and foremost, thank you so much for inviting me. I'm always so touched that anyone like wants to hear our story and I'm really excited to be here.
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