Fashion transcends mere attire, representing a tapestry of culture and history. The 2026 Vilcek Prizes in Fashion & Culture celebrate those who document and preserve the rich history of fashion through various mediums including photography and museum curation. As part of its dedication to supporting immigrant contributions to the arts and sciences, the Vilcek Foundation has awarded a total of $250,000 to five immigrant fashion professionals: Tanya Meléndez-Escalante, Diego Bendezu, Jalan and Jibril Durimel, and Natalie Nudell. These awards underscore the vital role of immigrants in the arts and recognize their efforts to document fashion as a societal mirror while honoring their cultural roots.
Tanya Meléndez-Escalante has been granted the $100,000 award for her contributions as an arts administrator and fashion curator at The Museum at FIT (MFIT). Originating from Mexico, she has crafted numerous educational initiatives that highlight the diverse talents across Latin America, promoting cross-border collaboration and inclusivity through her exhibitions and programs.
Receiving the $50,000 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Culture are Diego Bendezu, Jalan and Jibril Durimel, and Natalie Nudell. Diego Bendezu, a Peruvian-born visual storyteller, focuses on Latin American and immigrant narratives, challenging conventional beauty standards in the fashion industry. His journey began with a camera and camcorder gifted by his parents as they worked abroad in the United States.
Jalan and Jibril Durimel, twin brothers and creative collaborators, are acknowledged for intertwining fashion with imaginative storytelling, using color and light to evoke broader narratives. Born in France to Guadeloupean parents and raised in Miami and St. Maarten, their diverse upbringing deeply influences their photographic work, encouraging exploration of diverse cultures and fashion.
Natalie Nudell, a fashion historian at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), SUNY, documents the comprehensive history of fashion in the US. Canadian-born with European and Middle Eastern roots, Nudell developed the Fashion Calendar Research Database (FCRD) to highlight the pivotal roles of underrepresented communities in the fashion industry’s foundation.
The Vilcek Foundation’s awards celebrate the significant contributions of immigrants to the progress of American society, honoring their achievements in the arts and sciences. Since its establishment, the prizes have recognized individuals whose creativity and vision have significantly enhanced the cultural landscape of the United States, awarding $9.6 million to date.
