This week applications opened for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, one of the most coveted contests for up and coming fashion designers. With three top prizes—one winner and two runners-up—totaling $500,000, one-of-a-kind connections and a year-long mentorship by established designers and executives, it’s an award that can literally make or break a brand. The past winners are a veritable who’s who of the coolest designers and need-to-know names for anyone in the industry. Some go on to be the biggest brands in fashion, while others have become cult-favorites for fashion insiders. But one thing is certain, past winners have met with amazing success.