The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Genesis have announced that Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch TongTong is the recipient of the third annual AAPI Design and Innovation Grant. The announcement took place at Genesis House in New York City on February 5, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the initiative to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) designers.
Grant Highlights and Designer Contributions
The AAPI Design and Innovation Grant is designed to elevate AAPI designers by providing financial support, mentorship, and resources to create collections that reflect their cultural identities. Zhou, along with finalists Allina Liu and Kim Shui, showcased their completed collections at a private event, where Zhou was honored as the winner.
“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.”
Each finalist received $40,000 to develop their collections, along with access to mentors across various sectors, including fashion, technology, and business. The program included an immersive cultural experience in Seoul, Korea, which served as inspiration for their final designs.
Zhou’s Concept and Collection
Zhou’s winning three-piece collection explores the theme of innovation as a state of incubation, where traditional heritage and modernity coexist. Inspired by the Chinese creation myth of Pan Gu, each piece represents the cosmic egg, serving as both a protective shell and a threshold between worlds. The collection features translucent sculptural forms that house garments with softened, partially concealed details, reflecting a blend of heritage and contemporary design.
Among the influences incorporated into Zhou’s designs are the Korean moon jar, a monumental lily, and an aerodynamic automotive prototype. His work proposes that innovation is more about refinement than disruption, tracing a journey from origin to transformation and forward motion.
“I’m deeply honored to be selected as a CFDA | Genesis House AAPI Design + Innovation Grant recipient,” said Zhou. “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.”
In addition to the initial grant, Zhou received an extra $60,000 to further develop his business, bringing the total funding to $100,000. The collections will be on display at Genesis House until February 22.
“We are proud to celebrate Terrence, Allina, and Kim, each of whom brought strong creative identities and thoughtful perspectives that define the purpose of this grant,” stated Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA. “Their work sets an inspiring tone ahead of New York Fashion Week.”
Genesis House is a unique venue located in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District, offering an experience that merges Korean culture with culinary excellence and innovative architecture. The space includes a showroom, restaurant, and cellar stage, showcasing Genesis’s commitment to design and function within a distinctly Korean atmosphere.
Genesis, a global automotive brand, is focused on delivering high standards of design, safety, and performance while looking towards a more sustainable future. With a growing range of award-winning SUV, sedan, and electric models, Genesis operates through a network of over 200 independent retailers across the United States and more than 30 Canadian distributors.
Consumers can explore the brand further at Genesis House or online at www.genesis.com.
