CaSandra Diggs, president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, has resigned her post.
Diggs had been in the role since August 2020, reporting to Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA and the board of directors.
Diggs joined the CFDA in 2001. Prior to being named president, she was chief administrative and financial officer.
Reached for comment, the CFDA issued a statement which read, “The CFDA and CaSandra Diggs have parted ways. We appreciate her service and wish her the best in future pursuits. The organization’s continued focus is on our mission to support and strengthen American fashion by amplifying creative excellence, business longevity, and positive impact. We have no additional comment at this time.”
Diggs did not return an email seeking comment.
As president, Diggs was charged with developing strategy and making decisions that furthered the CFDA’s purpose to champion, educate and support its membership and the fashion industry.
Diggs took on the role during the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, and during that time the CFDA undertook several steps to propel systemic change in the fashion industry. The CFDA said at the time it would create an in-house employment program specifically charged with placing Black talent in all sectors of the industry and revealed plans to create a mentorship and internship programs focused on placing Black students and recent graduates within established firms in the fashion sector. In addition, the organization said it would implement and make available to its members a diversity and inclusion training program. Early on in the pandemic, the CFDA launched “A Common Thread” fund-raising and storytelling initiative to raise awareness and needed funds for those in the American fashion community who were impacted by COVID-19. The CFDA also provided a $1 million donation to funding the new Icon 360 grant program from Harlem’s Fashion Row, which supports designers of color.
