And the winner is….Christopher John Rogers.

Tonight, during the gala dinner and fashion show at Cipriani South Street, the designer took home the top prize at the sixteenth CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Danielle Hirsch of Danielle Frankel and Reese Cooper were named runners-up at the JD.com-underwritten awards.

Ashley Graham, Paloma Elsesser, and Alton Mason made the announcement.

It’s a major moment for Brooklyn-based Rogers who, this past September, wowed the crowds at New York Fashion Week with a vibrant, joyful collection featuring organza ruffles and exaggerated church hats. The Baton Rouge-born designer joins an impressive group of past winners that includes Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra, Brock Collection, Telfar, and, last year, Pyer Moss.

Rogers receives $400,000, while the two runners-up walk home with $150,000 each. The three designers will also regularly meet with an assigned business mentor.

“With this year’s Fashion Fund finalists, we’ve seen not only great design and talent, but a wonderful commitment to progressive and inclusive values,” said Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief, Vogue US and US Artistic Director and Global Content Advisor, Condé Nast. “Fashion should never be divorced from the values of the world and this year’s designers have taken that to heart.”

CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb added: “The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund continues to foster not only creative design talent but also an entrepreneurial spirit required in today’s changing fashion landscape. This year’s finalists represent the best of American fashion’s future. We thank JD.com for their generous support of tonight’s gala dinner and runway show, and for the ongoing support of American fashion.”

The gala dinner was made possible with the generous support of JD.com, China’s largest retailer, a long-time supporter of designers around the world, and a premier destination for authentic fashion in China.

“Part of JD.com’s mission as China’s top destination for authentic fashion is to bring fashion’s next generation to fashion lovers across China while helping talented young designers grow their worldwide reach,” said Kevin Jiang, President of International Business at JD.com. “That’s why we’re pleased to continue our support of emerging American designers through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.”

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is generously supported by underwriters Instagram, JD.com, Klarna, M•A•C Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Theory, Vogue, and Zara.

Check in tomorrow for full coverage of the night!

Fashion Show: Styling by Alex Harrington; Music by Charlie Klarsfeld; Production by Jen Green, Genevieve Productions; Choreography by Lindsey Blaufarb & Craig Holloman; Finale Performance by STOMP; Hair Creative Direction by Bob Recine and Lead Styling by Noogie Thai for Paul Mitchell; Makeup by Kabuki for M·A·C Cosmetics; Nails by Mabelyn Martin, Creative Director of Paintbox.  

Special thanks to Perrier-Jouët, The Standard, M·A·C Cosmetics, Paul Mitchell, and Paintbox.