Zane Li of Lii Wins 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

At Crane Club, Zane Li, the creator behind the label Lii, was announced as the winner of the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The designer, originally from Chongqing and now based in New York, receives $300,000 along with mentorship from industry veterans. This accolade concludes a remarkable year for Li, who also secured the Fashion Trust US Ready-to-Wear Award in April and the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at the LVMH Prize event in Paris in September. Runners-up Aisling Camps, a Trinidadian-born knitwear designer, and Emily Dawn Long, known for her "Spoiled Boys" T-shirts worn by male celebrities, each receive $100,000 to expand their brands. CFDA chairman Thom Browne emphasized the importance of supporting unique voices in fashion. Li remarked on the challenges of managing a young brand, highlighting the balance between business and creative control.