Telfar Clemens wins the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund 2017

Telfar Clemens has had a big year. In September the designer unveiled his new, unisex designs for White Castle to celebrate that company's 95th anniversary. Then he went on to unveil a capsule collaboration with the fast food chain available to all with an altruistic bend. And at the end of last month he expanded his brand, launching a unisex children's clothing line called TELFAR BAMBINO. Monday night, the designer was given an industry sign of approval after over 12 years in the game as he was awarded the top prize in this year's CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund.

Competing against the likes of Chris Bevans of Dyne (also known for the work he did designing for Kanye West, Pharrell, and Brotherly Love) and Becca McCharen-Tran of Chromat over the series of four months, Clemens bagged $400,000. McCharen-Tran and Ahlem Manai-Platt of Ahlem were both selected as runners-up, being awarded with $150,000 a piece.

Check out our interview with Clemons about what designing the White Castle uniforms meant to him, having grown up two blocks form a location in Queens.