Bright Young Things

(NEW  YORK) With economics looking grim, young designers could use a little boost--of the fiscal variety. On Tuesday, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund announced this year's 10 contenders for the $200,000 award, which bestows $50,000 for each of two runners-up. Finalists include Albert Q. Swanepoel of Albertus Quartus, Alejandro Ingelmo, Alexander Wang, Irene Neuwirth, Jason Wu, Juan Carlos Obando, Swaim and Christina Hutson of Obedient Sons and Daughters, John Patrick of Organic, Richard Chai, and Lisa Mayock & Sophie  Buhai of Vena Cava, who were finalists last year as well.  Since its inception in 2003, the program has awarded over $1,000,000 to help build brands like Doo.Ri, Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Thakoon, Thom Browne and Trovata. The awards will be presented on November 17 at a private dinner in New York.

UPDATE: American Express and Evgeny Lebedev have joined the list of underwriters for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Others include Gap, Barneys New York, Coach, Juicy Couture, Kellwood Company, Liz Claiborne Inc., Lord & Taylor, L'Oréal Paris, Nordstrom, Theory and Vogue.

The list of judges has also been anounced: Julie Gilhart, senior vice president/fashion director, Barneys New York; Jeffrey Kalinsky, president, Jeffrey and executive vice president, designer merchandising, Nordstrom; Steven Kolb, executive director, CFDA; Reed Krakoff, president, executive creative director, Coach; Patrick Robinson, executive vice president of design, Gap; Andrew Rosen, president and founder, Theory; Sally Singer, fashion news director, Vogue; Lisa Smilor, associate director, CFDA; Diane von Furstenberg, president, CFDA and Anna Wintour, editor in chief, Vogue.