Terrence Zhou's Grant Win Weaves Future of AAPI Fashion

NEW YORK, NY – February 06, 2026 – In a celebration of cultural heritage and forward-thinking design, Terrence Zhou of the avant-garde label Bad Binch TongTong was named the winner of the third annual CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant. The announcement was made at a private event at Genesis House in New York City, marking a pivotal moment for a program dedicated to elevating Asian American and Pacific Islander designers.

Zhou was selected from a group of distinguished finalists, including Allina Liu and Kim Shui, who each presented collections developed over a rigorous five-month period. The grant, a collaboration between luxury automotive brand Genesis and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), provides not only significant financial backing but also crucial mentorship and a high-profile platform, solidifying its role as a powerful incubator for talent within the AAPI community.

The Winning Vision: Weaving Heritage and Modernity

Terrence Zhou's winning three-piece collection stood out for its profound conceptual depth and breathtaking execution. Drawing inspiration from the Chinese creation myth of Pan Gu, who emerged from a cosmic egg, Zhou's designs explore innovation as a state of incubation. Each look presented the cosmic egg as a recurring motif - a protective shell and a threshold between worlds.

Translucent, sculptural forms enveloped the models, housing garments with softened, almost dreamlike details. The collection masterfully balanced seemingly disparate inspirations, referencing the elegant, imperfect form of the Korean moon jar, the organic shape of a monumental lily, and the sleek lines of an aerodynamic automotive prototype. This progression traced a narrative from origin and transformation to forward motion. Zhou’s work proposes that true innovation is a process of refinement and evolution, rather than a complete break from the past.

"I'm deeply honored to be selected as a CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant recipient," said Terrence Zhou following his win. "This program affirms my belief that innovation is not about replacing heritage, but allowing it to evolve, holding tradition in a state of becoming while imagining new futures through design." This philosophy is central to the Bad Binch TongTong brand, which has become known for its sculptural, transformative, and often theatrical approach to fashion, blurring the lines between wearable art and performance.

More Than a Grant: Fostering AAPI Voices in Fashion

The CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant has, in its three years, become a cornerstone of support for the AAPI fashion community. It addresses a critical need for resources and visibility in an industry where these designers have historically been underrepresented. The program's impact is evident in the trajectory of its past recipients, including inaugural winner Kenneth Nicholson and second-year winner Andrew Kwon, who have leveraged the support to grow their brands and gain wider recognition.

This year's finalists, Allina Liu, Kim Shui, and Terrence Zhou, each represent a unique and powerful voice in contemporary fashion. Their collections, developed with the grant's support, showcased a remarkable diversity of creative expression and cultural storytelling. Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA, lauded their contributions. "We are proud to celebrate Terrence, Allina, and Kim who each brought forward strong creative identities and thoughtful perspectives that define the purpose of this grant," he stated. "Their work sets an inspiring tone ahead of New York Fashion Week."

The grant's structure is designed for maximum impact. Each of the three finalists received an initial $40,000 to fund the creation of their collection. As the winner, Zhou receives an additional $60,000, bringing his total grant funding to $100,000 to invest in the further development of his business.

Beyond the Showroom: Genesis and the New Luxury Blueprint

The partnership between Genesis and the CFDA is a prime example of a modern luxury brand extending its influence beyond its core products. For Genesis, a brand that has rapidly established itself in the competitive luxury automotive market, this initiative is a key part of a broader strategy centered on culture, design, and experiential marketing.

Genesis House, the brand's flagship cultural space in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, is the physical embodiment of this strategy. It is not a car dealership but a sophisticated oasis offering experiences rooted in Korean culture, culinary excellence, and innovative design. By hosting events like the grant announcement, Genesis positions itself as a patron of the arts and a facilitator of cultural dialogue, building a deep, emotional connection with a discerning audience.

"It has been inspiring to witness the creativity and cultural perspective each designer brought to this program," said Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America. "Over the past several months, the finalists transformed personal heritage into thoughtful collections, and we are proud to support their ongoing growth within the fashion industry." This investment in cultural capital helps differentiate the brand, associating it with innovation and diversity while reinforcing its unique identity of modern Korean luxury.

A Journey of Innovation: From Seoul to New York

A distinctive and transformative element of the grant program is the immersive cultural journey provided to the finalists. Over the five-month program, Zhou, Liu, and Shui traveled to Seoul, Korea, for an experience designed to spark inspiration and deepen their connection to Asian heritage. This trip exposed them to a rich tapestry of Korean art, craftsmanship, and design, from historical traditions to contemporary movements.

The influence of this journey was palpable in the final collections. For Terrence Zhou, the trip provided a direct point of inspiration in the form of the Korean moon jar, or dalhangari. The simple, elegant, and voluminous form of this traditional porcelain vessel found a clear echo in his sculptural silhouettes, creating a cross-cultural dialogue between his Chinese heritage and newfound Korean influences.

This aspect of the program demonstrates a holistic approach to fostering creativity. By providing not just funding but also rich, experiential resources, the grant empowers designers to create work that is not only aesthetically compelling but also imbued with layers of cultural meaning and personal discovery. The resulting collections, which will remain on display at Genesis House through February 22nd, offer the public a window into this unique creative process.