Paul Andrew and Joan Smalls at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund dinner
Paul Andrew has been named the winner of the 2014 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
The budding designer was awarded the coveted title at a dinner at Spring Studios in Tribeca, New York last night (03.11.14) after Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour proclaimed him the winner of the $300,000 prize money to invest in his own label and a yearlong mentorship with an industry veteran who will mentor him and help to progress his business.
After beating nine other finalists to the top spot, according to Vogue.com, an emotional Paul told the crowd: "The contest was an experience in and of itself, and the award is truly a dream come true."
Previous winners of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund have included Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne of Public School.
This year's runners-up, Eva Zuckerman and Ryan Roche also received $100,000 and a mentorship to help them on their design journey.
Speaking at the event, Eva said: "I looked like Harry Potter for most of my life, but I will make you very proud. Thank you for this honor."
Several famous faces showed up the the dinner, including Stella McCartney, Joe Jonas, Ansel Elgort, Alexa Chung, Joan Smalls, Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki. The celebs and fashionistas dined on chicken pot pie and apple tartine before hitting the dance floor as The Misshapes manned the decks.
Fashion fans can watch how the 10 designers who were competing for the 2014 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund tackled various runway shows and judging panels as the entire process was documented for the television show, 'The Fashion Fund' which airs on Ovation TV on November 5.