Daily Front Row

2012 March 6

"China Exchange," Thanks To CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

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Part of "The New Order": Proenza Schouler's Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough
Patrick McMullan View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Fashion's latest foreign exchange program puts a chic spin on the coed culture-swapping experience. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is debuting the China Exchange program this spring, and Proenza Schouler's Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez will serve as guinea pigs for the initiative. The Proenza lads will head to Shanghai, trading locales with designer Uma Wang, for May and a bit of June. 

The China Exchange conceit was hatched during a conversation between Anna Wintour and Silas Chou, president and CEO of Novel Enterprises Ltd., the Hong Kong-based integrated textile and apparel manufacturer (and Chou’s family business). Additionally, Chou has been co-chairman of Michael Kors Corp. since purchasing a majority stake in 2003 via Sportswear Holdings Ltd. with Lawrence Stroll. Chou is providing an undisclosed sum of financial support for the China Exchange; his company is also involved in various capacities with Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld.  

Wang launched her eponymous line in London seven years ago after studying at the China Textile University followed by a stint at Central Saint Martins. Last year, Wang was awarded the Audi Progressive Designer Award, following in the successful footsteps of award predecessor Phillip Lim, who received the accolade in 2010. 

Although McCullough and Hernandez’s itineraries remain TBD, Wang will be immersed in a rotation that includes stints at Barneys, Michael Kors, Theory, Vogue, and Google, and will be settled into a W Hotel as her NYC home away from home.
ALEXANDRA ILYASHOV