Benjamin Moore will collaborate with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the leading not-for-profit trade association of America's foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry and accessory designers, to promote design in America. This partnership marks the first time the CFDA has teamed up with a home décor brand to spotlight the influences of color, design and entrepreneurship in America.
"Benjamin Moore and the CFDA will work together to celebrate the aesthetic impact and transformative power of color, one of the most important and essential tools of design," said Carl Minchew, vice president of Color Innovation and Design of Benjamin Moore. "There are many synergies between our two worlds and with the help of the CFDA, we will bring together the architectural design and fashion communities to advance our trade and encourage entrepreneurship in this industry."
To kick off the effort, Benjamin Moore will honor California-based fashion designer Trina Turk with its inaugural CFDA Trailblazer Award at the HUE Awards in New York City. Benjamin Moore also looked to the fashion industry to tap the host for this year's event and named Simon Doonan, the Creative Ambassador-at-Large of Barneys New York to serve as the master of ceremonies on September 29. Since its inception in 2008, the HUE Awards has been Benjamin Moore's signature event recognizing exceptional use of color in architectural design.
"The creation of the inaugural CFDA Trail Blazer Award is a testament to Benjamin Moore's continuing support of American Fashion," said Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA. "The CFDA is proud to partner with Benjamin Moore throughout the year to celebrate the use of color in the American Fashion Industry."
"Benjamin Moore and CFDA are excited to present this award to Trina Turk to recognize her trailblazing career that crosses over from the world of fashion and design with her colorful and bold designs across women's ready-to-wear and accessories, menswear, swimwear, residential décor and textiles," added Minchew.
During the next year, Benjamin Moore and the CFDA will organize various events, programs and collaborations for CFDA members as well as the larger design community.
