With a forward-thinking creative approach, refined tailoring techniques, and a bold use of color, Zane Li is steadily shaping a distinctive design language through his label LII.

Zane Li was recently named the winner of the 2026 CFDA fashion award, one of the influential programs supporting emerging designers in the United States. The founder of LII now moves forward with even greater confidence on his creative path. It is his third award of 2026, following the Fashion Trust US Ready-to-Wear Award and the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at the LVMH Prize.
Born and raised in Chongqing, China, Zane Li discovered his passion for fashion early through the magazines at his mother’s beauty salon. Their pages opened up a new aesthetic world to him, sparking his curiosity about how clothing can express individuality. Li was particularly drawn to the minimalist spirit of Calvin Klein and Helmut Lang, whose pared-back styles still carried a powerful appeal.
At 18, he decided to move to the United States to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), beginning the journey of turning his passion into a professional career in design.

After graduating, Zane Li presented his debut collection of 23 looks at New York Fashion Week in 2024. Inspired by the colors and forms in Ellsworth Kelly’s collages and the sculptures of Anish Kapoor, the collection quickly attracted attention from fashion enthusiasts.
Li’s starting point was the familiar men’s T-shirt, reconstructed for women in substantial double-faced cotton twill. Its boxy shape and sharp lines recalled the clothing of paper dolls.
While studying at fashion school, he became fascinated by the feminine, glamorous beauty found in the work of haute couture designers from the 1950s and 1960s, particularly Madame Grès and Cristóbal Balenciaga. Bringing those influences into LII, he sought to balance the relaxed spirit of everyday clothing with the polished elegance of haute couture.

After establishing a distinct style for LII, Zane Li continued to push the brand further with a menswear collection, opening up a new direction in his creative journey.
Zane Li’s strength lies in his ability to combine minimalism and the natural ease of 1990s fashion with tailoring details that demand refined technical skill. His signature is also defined by the combination of a sportswear spirit with distinctive silhouettes and a bold approach to color.
While maintaining a minimalist philosophy, his collections continue to create impact through sharply contrasting blocks of color and unconventional cuts.

LII Men's Spring/Summer 2027. Courtesy of LII.

Most recently, LII unveiled its latest designs for Spring/Summer 2027. The collection brings together retro-futurism, nostalgia for the 1960s, the relentless energy of hardcore techno, and the relaxed character of sportswear.
Zane Li combines these seemingly opposing elements to create a design language that both recalls the past and looks toward new experiments in shape, color, and material.

LII Spring/Summer 2027. Courtesy.

Winning the 2026 CFDA award marks an important step in the development of both Zane Li and LII. Along with a $300,000 prize, the award also provides mentorship opportunities with industry experts, giving the designer the chance to strengthen the foundations of his business and expand his creative vision.
Speaking after the awards ceremony, Zane Li described it as a beautiful ending to a turbulent year.

Thom Browne, founder of his namesake fashion label and Chairman of the CFDA, said: “Each designer who made it to the finals this year brought a distinct point of view, something that only they could create. It is precisely that individuality that makes fashion so compelling, and supporting them on the journey ahead is our responsibility.”
The mindset of “always searching for things that have never been seen before” has opened up opportunities for Zane Li to take LII further on the international fashion map. The road ahead will see the young designer continue to experiment, refine his identity, and assert his creativity amid the fashion industry’s constant evolution.

Who Is Zane Li, the Designer Who Won the 2026 CFDA Award?

Recommended posts for you

Hommes

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronomètre Brings Three Strong Personalities Together

Hommes

Nothing to Prove: Jackson Wang

Hommes

Who Is Zane Li, the Designer Who Won the 2026 CFDA Award?

Beauty

A Little Blur and A Lot of Bounce: barenbliss Marshmallow Blurring Lip Tint

Hommes

Nigo and J-Hope Bring Explosive Energy to the Nike Air Force 1 World Tour

Fashion

Amanda Seyfried Is Tiffany & Co.’s Newest House Ambassador for Its 2026 Holiday Campaign

Culture

Why ‘Carrie’ Is an Excellent Yet Horrific Coming-Of-Age Tale in the Era of Cyberbullying

Fashion

All of Olivia Rodrigo's Looks for 'The Unraveled Tour'