RaiseFashion, ShopMy and J.Crew Group Celebrate the 2026 Masterclass Cohort During NYFW

NEW YORK — On Monday, leaders from across fashion, retail and media gathered at Gjelina on Bond Street to kick off New York Fashion Week and celebrate the 2026 RaiseFashion masterclass. Co-hosted by the non-profit alongside J.Crew Group — a partner for the fifth consecutive year — and the commerce and affiliate platform ShopMy, the dinner brought together the programme’s latest cohort with the industry leaders and advisors who will support their next stage of growth.

This year’s class of 18 designers — Andrew Kwon, Bianca Saunders, Brandon Murphy, Campillo, Danarys New York, Dauphinette, Daveed Baptiste, Diarrablu, Dwarmis, Esenshel, Greg Laboratory, Leblancstudios, Mark Grattan, Mckenzie Liautaud, Private Policy, Reut, Shao and Yesaet — represents RaiseFashion’s largest masterclass yet, more than double last year’s intake. The dinner marked the beginning of the designers’ integration into RaiseFashion’s network.

Model and activist Bethann Hardison, fashion designer Naeem Khan, luxury fashion consultant Roopal Patel, Moda Operandi’s president April Hennig, Shopbop’s chief merchandising officer Stephanie Roberson, among others, came together for an evening of conversation about the realities and opportunities facing independent designers in today’s market.

The expansion comes at a critical moment for emerging and independent talent. Designers today navigate mounting headwinds including diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) rollback, capital constraints and inadequate traditional support systems. Amid these shifting industry dynamics, designers need alternative infrastructure built for sustainable, long-term growth rather than rapid scaling.

RaiseFashion’s response has been to expand its reach. The organisation’s eight-week masterclass offers over 30 sessions led by industry experts on revenue strategy, supply chain management, financial literacy and branding.

I’m ready for more strategy. I want to meet the people who make fashion ‘fashion’.

—  Daveed Baptiste

The results are measurable: 95 percent of participants remain in business after completing the programme, while 90 percent expand their distribution channels with retail and wholesale partners. Most notably, Rachel Scott, a RaiseFashion class of 2023 alum and founder of womenswear brand Diotima, is now creative director of Proenza Schouler.

The evening underscored the urgency of RaiseFashion’s expanded mission. “Independent designers are building businesses in one of the most complicated industries that exist, and they’re doing it during one of the most uncertain times,” Felita Harris, founder and CEO of RaiseFashion, said in her opening remarks. “They’re navigating capital, production, wholesale shifts, digital commerce, tariffs and visibility all at the same time.”

Gena Smith, chief human resources officer at J.Crew Group, added that leaders in the industry share a responsibility to build a more diverse and inclusive fashion ecosystem: “Creating a more diverse and inclusive fashion industry is a shared responsibility, and this partnership reflects J.Crew Group’s commitment to supporting expanded access, opportunity, and visibility for the next generation of leaders shaping the future of fashion.”

Guests in attendance discussed how to support independent designers right now, from offering strategic business mentorship and industry access to helping them find their community.

For menswear designer Daveed Baptiste, founder of his namesake brand and a member of the 2026 cohort, the masterclass is a validation of his work. “I know that RaiseFashion is prestigious, and it’s not easy to get into the programme,” he told BoF at the event. “For us, it’s a recognition that we’re doing the right thing. The industry thinks that we are of value culturally and as a business.”

Beyond the recognition, Baptiste is also hungry for infrastructure. “I built this business with my community and vibes and just an insane feel,” he said. “I’m ready for more strategy. I want to meet the people who make fashion ‘fashion’ — [those] who are behind the scenes [and whose] names you may never hear or [even] know who they are. They shape so much of the business.”

At the end of the day, you can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t have mentorship, support and access, it can be super hard.

—  Hiywet ‘Mimi’ Girma

Jayne Harkness, owner of consultancy JHG and Partners and board member at RaiseFashion, highlighted how the organisation delivers on that need: “The beauty of an organisation like RaiseFashion is that we can zoom in and give designers the right advice on every aspect — whether it’s positioning, branding, sales, digital marketing, legal, finance, whatever it might be.”

ShopMy, an affiliate and influencer marketing platform for creators and brands, will support the class of 2026 in building lasting businesses rooted in craft, creativity and community. “Through this partnership, ShopMy brings its creator-led commerce infrastructure directly to the designers shaping fashion’s next chapter,” said co-founder and president Tiffany Lopinsky. “[We will serve] as an early, foundational layer for launching, growing and sustaining brands without diluting their creative vision or identity.”

Many designers in the 2026 cohort stated a need for access to the broader ecosystem, specifically the executives, buyers and industry operators who understand how to navigate the business.

“I’m not just a designer. I have to learn to run my business,” said Andrew Kwon, luxury bridal and eveningwear designer of his namesake label. “It’s about the people who are involved, like journalists, writers, buyers, stylists, executives — that’s where I get most of my inspiration,” he said, highlighting the masterclass’ value in connecting designers to the industry’s broader business ecosystem.

For Yamil Arbaje, co-founder of Leblancstudios, the draw is practical knowledge transfer. “More than connections, which you get from a lot of places, I think it’s the knowledge — [learning from] specific situations that I know will benefit our brand in e-commerce, marketing or sales by having conversations with these RaiseFashion mentors.”

Moreover, what designers receive from mentorship goes beyond tactical advice. As brand strategist Kahlil Spurlock, mentor at RaiseFashion, explained: “They need a North Star, a vision — not just capturing money from a bunch of people. It’s about being intentional about who you’re getting money from, making sure that they’re aligned with your brand, aligned with your values, because that’s how you really build relationships and ongoing momentum.”

A number of attendees told BoF they hope to find a sense of belonging in an industry that doesn’t always make space for non-traditional paths.

Diarra Bousso, womenswear designer of Diarrablu and part of the 2026 masterclass, spoke candidly about approaching fashion through unconventional means. “I don’t come from a traditional fashion background. I come from mathematics and I use maths equations to create my art and my prints. In the maths scene, I was too creative. In the fashion scene, I felt like I didn’t fit,” she said. “Finally, I feel like I’m part of a community where I’m seen for what I bring to the table.”

Hiywet ‘Mimi’ Girma, womenswear designer of Yesaet and fellow cohort member, emphasised the critical role of mentorship: “At the end of the day, you can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t have mentorship, support and access, it can be super hard.”

“Tonight is not just about celebration, it’s the beginning of a lasting relationship. Our hope is that through this masterclass, [designers] are not only informed, but more supported, more confident and more prepared to build the business [they] envision,” Harris noted as the crowd cheered to the masterclass of 2026.

This feature is part of a community partnership with RaiseFashion.