MILAMORE Founder and Designer George Inaki Selected as Finalist for CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund 2026, a Historic First for a Japanese Fine Jewelry Designer

Photo courtesy of CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

MILAMORE, a fine jewelry brand founded on the concept of "Designed in New York, Handcrafted in Japan," is pleased to announce that its founder and designer, George Inaki, has been selected as a finalist for the "CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund 2026," an event hosted by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue.

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is renowned as a leading support program for emerging designers in America. Since its establishment in 2003, it has nurtured talents such as Thom Browne, Joseph Altuzarra, Christopher John Rogers, and Emily Adams Bode Aujla, positioning it as one of the most prestigious gateways in the U.S. fashion industry.

Hundreds of applications were received across all categories, including fashion, accessories, footwear, and jewelry, with only 10 recipients selected as finalists. George Inaki is among them, achieving a historic milestone as the first Japanese fine jewelry designer to be selected.

This selection is not merely an evaluation of design aesthetics. It signifies that MILAMORE's consistent message of the "Kintsugi" philosophy and the exceptional craftsmanship inherited by Japanese artisans have been highly recognized as contemporary luxury.

In the current luxury market, there is a growing interest in brands that possess cultural background and philosophy, extending beyond mere rarity or ornamentation. Within this trend, MILAMORE continues to reinterpret the Japanese Kintsugi philosophy and craftsmanship from a modern perspective, disseminating it from New York to the world.

The Philosophy: "Mended, Not Broken."

At the core of George Inaki's creative process as the founder and designer of MILAMORE lies the concept, "Mended, Not Broken."

Born in the Philippines and raised in Japan, Inaki moved to New York in 2014, which prompted him to re-engage with the essential beauty of Japanese culture.

Various adversities experienced since childhood led to a deep empathy for the Japanese traditional technique of "Kintsugi," which does not deny flaws or scars but embraces their traces and passes them on to the future as new value. This philosophy eventually became the origin of MILAMORE's craftsmanship.

Message comes first, and the form of design follows.

With this approach, MILAMORE celebrates the imperfections inherent in life as beauty, expressing universal values that resonate across generations and cultures through its jewelry.

George Inaki's Comment

It has been 12 years since I moved to New York.

Looking back, the path was by no means smooth. My career built in Japan was not recognized at all in New York, leading to continuous setbacks and rejections.

However, those rejections became the catalyst for a new path, and I launched MILAMORE with the feeling of mending myself.

Mended, Not Broken.

This philosophy supports not only the jewelry but also my own life.

I designed the KINTSUGI ring with the desire to accept my own wounds and broken parts and transform them into strength.

I am deeply honored that MILAMORE has been recognized in such a way by a leading design program in the United States.

I express my sincere gratitude to our customers, artisans, and partners who have supported us, and through this opportunity, I hope to share the Japanese craftsmanship and the values that MILAMORE has cherished with a wider audience.

Final Winners to be Announced on October 20th

The finalists will participate in a multi-month program, receiving mentoring and business support from industry leaders.

This year's judging panel includes nine representatives from the fashion, media, and retail industries, such as CFDA Chairman Thom Browne, Eva Chen of Instagram, and Chloe Malle of Vogue US.

The final winners will be announced at a gala dinner in New York on October 20, 2026.

This selection is not only a major milestone for MILAMORE but also an opportunity to promote Japanese craftsmanship and the philosophy of Kintsugi to the world through the medium of jewelry.

About MILAMORE

MILAMORE is a fine jewelry brand founded in 2019 by George Inaki, a designer based in New York.

The brand name combines the name of his beloved grandmother, "Milagros," with "Amore," the Italian word for "love."

Operating under the slogan "Designed in New York, Handcrafted in Japan," the brand offers jewelry with unique philosophies and stories, including its signature KINTSUGI collection.