AIWA-SF launches FoundHer at Yerevan Fashion Week, honors three Armenian designers

The Armenian International Women’s Association San Francisco introduced its FoundHer program at Yerevan Fashion Week 2026 and named Loom Weaving, RUZANĒ and Soncess as the first award recipients. The effort is meant to help Armenian women entrepreneurs grow in fashion, technology, hospitality and tourism.

Why it matters: - AIWA-SF is using Yerevan Fashion Week to spotlight Armenian women founders and connect them to a broader entrepreneurial pipeline. - The FoundHer program is aimed at helping women-led businesses grow across fashion, technology, hospitality and tourism. - The launch adds international visibility to Armenia’s developing fashion market and its emerging designers.

What happened: - The Armenian International Women’s Association San Francisco traveled to Armenia for the fourth annual Yerevan Fashion Week. - AIWA-SF formally launched FoundHer during the event. - AIWA-SF and the Fashion Chamber of Armenia introduced the FoundHer Award at Yerevan Fashion Week for the first time. - AIWA-SF named Loom Weaving, RUZANĒ and Soncess as the award recipients.

The details: - FoundHer is dedicated to the legacy of Lucille Apgar, a business owner and granddaughter of Diana Apgar, the first Armenian woman diplomat. - The program is built on the belief that investing in women drives leadership and impact. - AIWA-SF says the initiative is designed to help female entrepreneurs expand across three pillars: technology and innovation, fashion and design, and hospitality and tourism. - Laura Dirtadian, chair of the FoundHer program, said Armenia has extraordinary creative talent and the goal is to help that talent become a successful, sustainable business. - AIWA-SF Program Committee members Dr. Neesha Dave, Christine Soussa and Tsovinar Massena spent the week meeting designers, industry leaders and community leaders, attending runway shows and discussing business strategies. - The committee narrowed the field to five finalists before the three judges selected the winners. - Loom Weaving was founded 13 years ago by Inga Manukyan and focuses on handmade knits that combine traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics. - RUZANĒ was founded by designer Ruzanna Vardanyan in 2016 and uses natural fabrics of European origin in designs centered on femininity, individuality and art. - Soncess was founded by Sona Hakobyan in 2008 and is built around the idea of mixing items that seem non-combinable into contemporary everyday pieces. - AIWA-SF President Lilit Yenokyan called Yerevan Fashion Week a celebration of Armenia’s creativity, talent and entrepreneurial spirit. - AIWA-SF thanked the Fashion Chamber of Armenia for supporting the local fashion industry. - Instagram handles listed in the release were @loom_weaving, @ruzane_ and @soncess_.

Between the lines: - The award program appears designed to do more than recognize design talent; it also creates a business-facing pathway for women founders. - Pairing a fashion week honor with an entrepreneurship initiative gives AIWA-SF a platform to link cultural visibility with economic development. - The focus on women entrepreneurs suggests AIWA-SF is positioning fashion as one entry point into broader leadership and business growth in Armenia.

What's next: - AIWA-SF said FoundHer will continue as a multi-pillar program for Armenian women entrepreneurs. - The organization will likely use future collaborations, events and programming to keep building visibility for women-led businesses in Armenia and the diaspora. - More information is available at AIWA International.