Fashion Scholarship Fund 2022 Annual Report

2022 FSF FSF

Transforming the Fashion Industry

WELCOMING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FASHION INDUSTRY LEADERS

The Fashion Scholarship Fund is the foremost fashion-oriented education and workforce development nonprofit in the United States. The FSF works directly with the country's most talented undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and awards over $1 million each year in scholarships to help these students succeed in all sectors of the industry including design, merchandising, marketing analytics, and business strategy.

In addition to our financial support, FSF also provides our Scholars with internship and career opportunities, mentorship, networking, professional development, and unprecedented access to the industry’s most influential creative talents and business leaders.

For 86 years, FSF has been fully committed to cultivating the next generation of fashion.

The community this scholarship has given me is one I could have never imagined. It encouraged me to dream bigger and gave me the confidence to be curious and ask questions. It’s so comforting to know there are people who want me to succeed.

AMIRA LINSON

Class of

and 2023 Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar University of North Texas

2022

I AM AWED BY THE TALENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 123 MEMBERS OF THE FSF SCHOLARSHIP CLASS OF 2022 AND 70 VIRGIL ABLOH™ “POST-MODERN” SCHOLARS NAMED SINCE 2020.

I have no doubt these exceptional undergraduates and recent graduates will be a positive force for change, and it is a privilege to facilitate their future success in an industry that so keenly desires what they represent.

Our newest FSF Scholars and Alumni represent not only creativity and capability but also the changing values and interests that will keep the fashion industry and its related sectors vibrant, aligned with, and connected to its diverse consumers. In short, they will innovate the path forward and continue to exert both the social and cultural impact that is unique to fashion.

Our FSF Scholars and Alumni are our teachers. They show us the critical importance of the fashion industry’s commitment to values of equity, inclusion, and representation—and to ethical and sustainable business and design.

We at the Fashion Scholarship Fund cherish the role we play in connecting these young people, through our many partners, to opportunities that will nurture their talents and all they have to offer. Our industry is—and will continue to be— stronger and better because of them. Thank you for being a vital part of their journey with us.

PETER ARNOLD FSF Executive Director

The Fashion Scholarship Fund has always represented the fashion industry’s commitment to the rising generation of talent. During my two-year tenure as FSF President, I am proud to have witnessed a profound shift in our industry’s priorities and practices regarding the pipeline of creative and business talent. The past two years have been challenging for many reasons, but the adoption and strengthening of ethical and equitable practices has been inspiring to witness—and to support!

I am likewise proud that the FSF has proven to be a ready and capable industry partner in helping bring about true change. FSF partners—foremost among them industry visionary Virgil Abloh, whose impact through the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, as with so much of what he touched, has been transformative—have included several influential companies and brands such as Coach, Eric Emanuel, Levi Strauss & Co., LVMH, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus Group, Nordstrom, PacSun, PVH, SKIMS, and VF Corp., to name just a few. The pages of this document stand as a testament to the FSF’s boundless capacity and effectiveness as an industry partner.

JENNIFER VECCHIO

Board President

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS— THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT, TO REPRESENT AND FACILITATE CHANGE.

FSF

Since 2000, FSF has awarded $16+ million in scholarships to 2,600+ undergraduates

In 2022, FSF’s active Alumni community comprised 1,900+ FORMER SCHOLARS

100+ COMPANIES partnered with FSF to develop career opportunities for Scholars

1,000+

95% OF SCHOLARS were paired with an industry mentor

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS

from 70 FSF member schools completed a rigorous Case Study exercise

$1,000,000+ in scholarship funds were awarded

600+ INDUSTRY LEADERS serve as mentors and judges

123 STUDENTS received scholarships ranging from $7,500 TO $25,000

FSF Scholarships

FSF CASE STUDY SCHOLARSHIP Competition

For students, the first step to joining the FSF Community is to compete in the annual FSF Case Study Competition. This merit-based scholarship competition is divided into four main disciplines—business strategy, design and product development, marketing analytics, and merchandising—and it challenges students to solve real-life problems facing the fashion industry. Depending on their chosen discipline, our 2022 Case Study Scholarship Competition asked students to:

• Design and Product Development: create a collection of either apparel, accessories, footwear, beauty, or health and wellness products that addresses the needs of post COVID-19 consumers.

• Merchandising: create an online and in-store merchandising campaign that appeals to consumers in the changing retail environment.

• Marketing Analytics: develop an innovative marketing strategy for a brand of their choice, analyzing its current marketing and communications, identifying areas for improvement, and proposing new approaches.

• Supply Chain: explore strategies to introduce greater flexibility in the distribution network and assortment planning process for a mono-brand of their choice.

Applicants were required to have a G.P.A. greater than 3.20 and to submit their Case Studies anonymously in order to maintain a non-biased selection process. Over 1,000 qualified applicants from 69 of our member schools competed for the 2022 scholarship. Our reviewing body of 500 judges (including FSF mentors, Alumni, and industry partners) selected 123 submissions to receive awards based on their Case Study scores. In total, 119 scholars were awarded $7,500 and four topscoring FSF finalists were awarded scholarships between $10,000 and $15,000.

OF

OUR 2022

FSF SCHOLARS:

42% were Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

32% were Pell Grant-eligible

11% were first-generation in their families to earn a college degree

TOP FOUR FINALISTS

Of the 123 FSF Scholars, the four recipients with the highest scores presented their Case Studies virtually to a panel of fashion- industry leaders. The judges selected one winner for the $25,000 FSF Chairman’s Award Scholarship.

MEET THE JUDGES

Eva Chen, Director of Fashion Partnerships at Instagram

Tremaine Emory, Creative Director at Supreme

Lucille Moreau, Head of Culture, Digital, and PR for evian

Amanda Smith, President at Fairchild Media (WWD, Beauty Inc, Footwear News, Sourcing Journal)

Corey Smith, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, North America, LVMH

Lana Todorovich, President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Neiman Marcus Group, and FSF Board Member

Jennifer Vecchio, President at Burlington Stores and FSF Board President

FINALISTS

CHAIRMAN'S AWARD RECIPIENT

Naecia Dixon Junior at Savannah College of Art and Design who submitted a Design and Product Development Case Study

Ifechi Ilozor Senior at Brown University who submitted a Marketing Analytics Case Study

Eliezer Eisenman Senior at Drexel University who submitted a Merchandising Case Study

Emily Becker Sophomore at Iowa State University who submitted a Merchandising Case Study

THE VIRGIL ABLOH ™ SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Autumn Bentley Senior Kent State University

Taliyah Coles Senior Marist College

Kachina Daniel Senior Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus

Naecia Dixon Junior Savannah College of Art and Design

Aliyah Freeman Senior Fashion Institute of Technology

Kaitlyn Gilliam Senior Howard University

Shanita Hunt Senior Indiana University

Ifechi Ilozor

Senior

Brown University

Ahmrii Johnson

Senior

Parsons School of Design

Nyanna Johnson Senior University of Cincinnati

Korin Jones

Senior

Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus

Jamesether Koigbli

Junior

Thomas Jefferson University

Kierra Lee

Junior

Thomas Jefferson University

Amira Linson

Junior University of North Texas

Camille McHenry Senior Marist College

T'yanna Neely Senior

Thomas Jefferson University

Latonya Presley Junior

University of North Texas

Samuel Stern Junior

Thomas Jefferson University

Chibuike Uwakwe

Junior

Harvard University

Jakarie Whitaker Sophomore

Clark Atlanta University

Gianni Williams

Senior

Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus

Jade Williams

Junior

Academy of Art University

Mya Wright Junior

Florida A&M University

“Life is so short that you can’t waste even a day subscribing to what someone thinks you can do versus knowing what you can do— and that’s the switch.”

WE ARE SO PLEASED TO INTRODUCE THE 2022 CLASS OF “POST-MODERN” SCHOLARS

—VIRGIL ABLOH

Founder, Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund FSF Board Member

IN JULY OF 2020, DESIGNER VIRGIL ABLOH ANNOUNCED THE CREATION OF THE VIRGIL ABLOH™ “POST-MODERN” SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FASHION SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

The fund was created with a gift of more than $1 million made by Virgil Abloh and his partners: evian, Farfetch, Louis Vuitton, New Guards Group, and Nike. At a time when many sought to advance equity and inclusion in the fashion industry, Virgil made an immeasurable impact. It was Virgil’s dream to identify and support the 17-year-old version of himself and he was committed to providing the “way in” to every young fashion student in search of it.

The Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund—and all future generations of Fashion Scholarship Fund recipients—is FSF’s opportunity to carry out the passion, commitment, and personal legacy of Virgil Abloh.

The Fund’s mission is to foster equity and inclusion within the fashion industry by providing scholarships to academically promising students of Black, African-American, and African descent. Virgil Abloh named the fund “Post-Modern” to signify that recipients will not only receive funds, but also ongoing career-support services and mentoring through the Fashion Scholarship Fund.

The Fashion Scholarship Fund was the beneficiary, in early 2022, of a record-setting global online auction hosted by Sotheby’s and made possible by LVMH. The auction, of 200 pairs of bespoke Louis Vuitton x Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh sneakers, raised millions of dollars for the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund.

We are grateful to the many other partners and generous individuals whose gifts, small and large, became part of Virgil’s legacy in 2022 through their donations to the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, including the following:

Afterpay | Awake NY | Baccarat | Burton Snowboards | BZ Ventures | Disney | evian | Fashionphile

Gucci | Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation | Highsnobiety | Louis Vuitton North America | Meta

Neiman Marcus | New Guards Group | Nike | Nordstrom | NTWRK | Off-White | Sneakerdenn

Soho House New York | StockX | Surgeon Worldwide | The RealReal | Timberland | Tradesy | Whatnot

In February of 2022, Neiman Marcus Group presented the session, “CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF VIRGIL ABLOH AND OUR COMMITMENT TO RISING BLACK TALENT.” The discussion focused on why the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund was created and Virgil’s commitment to supporting the future of Black talent in the fashion industry. It was hosted and moderated by Nikki Ogunnaike, Digital Director at Harper's Bazaar. Panelists included:

• Peter Arnold, Executive Director at Fashion Scholarship Fund

• Andrea Grilli, Chief Executive Officer at Off-White

• Mecca Hodge, Assistant Buyer at Neiman Marcus and a Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund 2021 Scholar

• Ifeoma Ike, Esq., Equity and Culture Strategist, Founder & CEO at Pink Cornrows, LLC

• Trinice McNally, Founding Director of Center for Diversity, Inclusion & Multicultural Affairs and Advisor to Off-White

• Lana Todorovich, President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Neiman Marcus

Beginning in June, the Fashion Scholarship Fund held a SERIES OF VIRTUAL MENTORING EVENTS WITH HERON PRESTON and the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholars. During the discussion, Scholars heard about Heron’s personal and professional journey and gained tangible advice on how to enter and navigate the fashion industry.

A few weeks later, GABRIELLA KAREFA-JOHNSON and the FSF held a virtual discussion, during which our Virgil Abloh™ “PostModern” Scholars heard Gabriella share her personal and professional journey and insight on her work at the intersection of fashion and the digital space.

Later, the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholars heard from TREMAINE EMORY and were given the opportunity to learn about his personal and professional journey and how he uses visual storytelling to traverse the intersection of fashion, music, and culture.

Mid-summer, VOGUE, KARLIE KLOSS, AND SHANNON ABLOH HOSTED A SPECIAL SCREENING OF “V: A SHORT FILM DEDICATED TO THE LEGACY OF VIRGIL ABLOH” in NoHo and guests included: Gigi Hadid, Yumi Nu, Jeremy O. Harris, Victor Glemaud, Derek Blasberg, Heron Preston, Prabal Gurung, several of Virgil’s “Post-Modern” Scholars, and many of the designer’s closest friends.

In July, “Post-Modern” Scholars were invited to attend a ONE-HOUR PRIVATE, GUIDED TOUR OF THE VIRGIL ABLOH: “FIGURES OF SPEECH” EXHIBITION AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM. Prior to the in-person opportunity, FSF hosted a virtual conversation with the curator of the exhibition, Antwaun Sargent, which was moderated by Matthew Yokobosky, Curator of Fashion and Material Culture at the Brooklyn Museum.

“Post-Modern” Scholars were also invited to attend an EXCLUSIVE LVMH VIRTUAL EVENT: “LVMH X METAVERSE: DIGITAL INNOVATION LAB.” This event was a deep-dive into the Metaverse and explored the digital disruption of Web 3 and NFTs in the luxury industry and was led by Nelly Mensah, Vice-President of Digital Innovation and Head of Web 3 and Metaverse.

Virgil’s Scholars were GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE THE “INSIDE LVMH” CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. During this program, leaders from the LVMH Group, professors, and industry experts all shared their experience and knowledge with the Scholars, giving them the unique opportunity to learn key fundamentals of the luxury industry, immerse themselves into the LVMH ecosystem, and boost their CVs.

As a Virgil Scholar, this past year has felt like a dream. Winning the award that was founded by the man who inspired me to create has opened doors for me that I never imagined were possible.

JAKARIE WHITAKER

Class of

2022 and 2023

Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar Clark Atlanta University

Equity Initiative

FSF'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION CONTINUES TO YIELD IMPRESSIVE AND MEASURED RESULTS.

Ongoing programming, technical support, engagement with new HBCU partners, and a successful second application round of the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship has resulted in our most diverse class to date: 42% of our Class of 2022 Scholars are BIPOC. Furthermore, in response to feedback from past Scholars, we have launched a new platform, “The Community,” for FSF Alumni of color to network, share opportunities, and have a safe outlet to discuss their experiences within the fashion industry.

We are also excited about the work of our Equity Committee, currently chaired by FSF Board Member Nata Dvir, Chief Merchandising Officer at Macy's, and comprised of a diverse membership which includes Board members, Alumni, and FSF staff. As FSF continues to build its reputation as a thought partner to the fashion community, the FSF Equity Committee seeks to explore the post-fellowship needs for Scholars with a goal of ensuring that young talent has the tools to both launch a career and enter middle management and beyond. The Committee will also begin exploring ways to deepen our pipelines with Hispanic-serving and Indigenous institutions.

To explore partnering with the FSF to advance DEI or corporate social-responsibility goals, contact fsfprograms@fashionscholarshipfund.org

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY | ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY | AUBURN UNIVERSITY

BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | BROWN UNIVERSITY | BUFFALO STATE-SUNY

CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY | COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO | COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

CORNELL UNIVERSITY | DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY | DREXEL UNIVERSITY

FASHION INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING

FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY | FORDHAM UNIVERSITY | GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY | HARVARD UNIVERSITY | HOWARD UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY | KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY | LIM COLLEGE | MARIST COLLEGE

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ART AND DESIGN

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE | NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN | PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN

PRATT INSTITUTE | PURDUE UNIVERSITY | RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY | SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

SPELMAN COLLEGE | STEPHENS COLLEGE | SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY | THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY

THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE | UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI | UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON | VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS | WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

XAVIER UNIVERSITY IN LOUISIANA | YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

Bolded names signify a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)

FSF Member Schools

Through partnerships with our 70 FSF member schools across the country, the FSF has cultivated meaningful relationships with faculty members who help identify the most promising undergraduates pursuing careers in fashion design and product development, merchandising, marketing analytics, and business strategy.

For the 2022 FSF Case Study Competition, submissions came from 70 FSF member schools of which 34 are public universities, 28 are private colleges/universities, eight are Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and six are Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The academic curriculum among our 70 member schools includes 43 design programs, 43 merchandising and retailing programs, and 52 business programs.

WE ARE PLEASED TO SHARE THAT 56 OF OUR FSF MEMBER SCHOOLS WERE RANKED AMONG THE TOP SCHOOLS IN THE U.S. by discipline according to Fashionista.com, FashionSchools.org, Business of Fashion (BOF), and U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges and Universities.

THE VF FOUNDATION X FSF COMMUNITY COLLEGE INITIATIVE

Thanks to the generous support of The VF Foundation, FSF embarked on a pilot program in 2022 to explore new strategies to create a more inclusive and equitable talent pipeline by expanding to include community college students for the very first time. The VF Foundation x FSF Community College Initiative provides students from two-year degree programs with awards of $5,000 and a customized career awareness and workforce preparedness experience, including a two-day, all-expense paid job shadow at VF brand Kipling's Jersey City headquarters.

The VF Foundation subsequently made a major grant to FSF to expand the program to include 10 Scholars in 2023. Under the umbrella of this initiative, True Religion also partnered with FSF to fund a renewable, multi-year True Religion x FSF Community College Bridge Scholarship with an initial award of $5,000. This scholarship supports a second-year community college student in California who aspires to a career in a fashion-related field and it includes support for continued study at a fouryear university. The Coach Foundation likewise made a substantial gift in 2022 to create the FSF x Coach Foundation “Dream It Real” Community College Scholarships, to be awarded in 2023 to three promising students.

FSF VIRTUAL CAMPUS VISITS

In March of 2022, FSF Ambassadors (including Board members, mentors, and Alumni) hosted a Virtual Campus Visit. This virtual session welcomed prospective 2023 FSF Scholarship Competition applicants from our 70 partner schools across the country. Over 500 students attended—the virtual format allowed us to connect with many more students than the on-campus FSF Ambassador presentations that were held in the past. Members of the FSF Team, Board member Stacie Hendersen, and three FSF Alumni (Danielle Testa, Mark Bissell, and Adelle Wade) joined the session. During the virtual presentation, speakers shared information on the application process and the benefits of competing in the FSF Scholarship Competition. The recorded versions of the presentations are also currently available on the FSF site as a helpful resource for 2023 FSF Case Study applicants.

What I like about FSF’s in-depth case studies are how relevant and challenging they are. They highlight the challenges and strategies students will be addressing upon entering the fashion industry.

—MARK LESLIE Educator Partner, Iowa State University

FSF

Internships and Career Placement

VIRTUAL TALENT ACQUISITION EVENT

In February and again in October of 2022, the FSF hosted a virtual Talent Acquisition Event in partnership with the CFDA. At both events, hundreds of Scholars and Scholar applicants were connected with over 100 recruitment representatives from leading fashion companies for fulltime job opportunities and summer internships in design and product development, merchandising, marketing analytics, business strategy, and related fields.

My internship with Louis Vuitton Paris was absolutely splendid. I grew more than I ever could have expected! This experience provided me with a strong foundation and a limitless perspective to build a future with.

—AHMRII JOHNSON

2021 and 2022 Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar Parsons School of Design

Mentoring Programs

For Scholars

The FSF is committed to fostering the next generation of fashion talent through its signature Mentoring Program. Of the 123 Class of 2022 Scholars, 112 requested and were assigned a mentor according to discipline, job function, geographic location, company, and alma mater. The benefits of the mentoring pairings were invaluable for both Scholars and mentors, especially during a year of unprecedented career uncertainty.

This year, FSF offered “Career Coaching” sessions for the 2022 FSF Seniors with FSF Board member and supporter, Debra Malbin, founder of Debra Malbin Associates. The Scholars learned valuable skills, including how to build and present their resume to the industry, how to prepare for an interview, tips for post-interview follow-up, and best practices for accepting an internship or full-time job offer, with insight on entry-level salaries.

In order to adequately prepare the Class of 2023 Scholar applicants to succeed in the 2023 Case Study Competition, the FSF hosted multiple virtual “Case Study Q&A” sessions. Applicants were given the opportunity to connect directly with FSF Alumni and hear the strategies they themselves had used to secure an FSF Scholarship. Participants shared positive feedback about this opportunity to connect with the FSF Alumni community and receive insider support for their own Case Studies.

For Alumni

Thanks to a generous grant from The VF Foundation, the MENTORING INITIATIVE

FOR

ALUMNI was launched in September 2020 and continues to be a vital support network for promising graduates from underrepresented backgrounds across the fashion industry. In 2022, the initiative matched recent graduates from diverse backgrounds with fashion industry mentors and it assisted in developing relationships that make a real-life impact. In order to continue this valuable support, mentoring relationships are renewable from year to year, rather than expiring at the end of the first year. The Fashion Scholarship Fund continually assesses the program to determine how to further support young professionals through long-term mentorship.

In the fall and though a partnership with The VF Foundation, the Class of 2022 Scholars were invited to join FSF for an opportunity to connect directly with the FSF mentor community for a “FLASH MENTORING” virtual event, which included FSF Board members and industry executives from such notable companies as: Calvin Klein, Citizens of Humanity, Kohl’s, Tommy Bahama, Under Armour, and others. Utilizing a cutting-edge platform that enabled one-on-one interaction between mentors and mentees, this event facilitated a dialogue that helped initiate and cultivate professional connections.

Additional funding for The VF Foundation x FSF Alumni Mentoring Initiative was provided by a generous multi-year grant from The Hearst Foundation, Inc.

Our Mentors

The FSF mentoring community is a diverse group of creative and business professionals and includes mid-level to C-suite executives from companies such as: adidas, Another Tomorrow, Anthropologie, Baccarat, Batsheva, Calvin Klein, Citizens of Humanity, Coach, David Yurman, GAP Inc., Google, Gucci, Hudson’s Bay Company, Kohl’s, Levi Strauss & Company, Louis Vuitton, Macy’s, Inc., Michael Kors, Milk Makeup, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Off-White, PVH, Ralph Lauren, Rent the Runway, Rimowa, Saks Fifth Avenue, Shopify, Supreme, Target, Tiffany & Co., and Under Armour.

One-third of FSF mentors are also FSF Alumni—previous FSF Scholarship recipients. It’s clear that FSF Alumni enjoy being mentors and find the opportunity to give back to Scholars incredibly rewarding.

Numerous FSF corporate partners promote the opportunity for their employees to serve as FSF mentors. If you’re interested in mentoring the next generation of fashion—or in creating an employee volunteer program at your company— email fsfprograms@fashionscholarshipfund.org

Being a part of FSF—all of the events and networking, the connections that you make, and the job skills and opportunities—really helps you put your best foot forward.

MARRISA WILSON 2013 & 2015 Scholar Marist College

The annual FSF Summer Scholar Series consisted of nine weeks of robust virtual programming, training, and events. The series was comprised of weekly sessions and included both Workforce Preparedness Courses and Master Classes.

FSF’s Workforce Preparedness Courses focused on specific topics and skills that Scholars might not be learning in school, in order to better prepare them for a career in the fashion industry.

In addition, FSF offered Master Class sessions. These informative sessions allowed Scholars, Scholar applicants, and Alumni to hear from industry experts about their professional journeys and the real-life challenges they’ve faced within the industry.

CERTIFICATE

OF COMPLETION

To supplement the opportunities FSF Scholars, Alumni, and Scholar applicants might have lost due to the ongoing pandemic, the Fashion Scholarship Fund offered a Certificate of Completion to those who attended 6+ Workforce Preparedness Courses and 5+ Master Class sessions over the course of the Summer Scholar Series. Over 100 attendees were awarded a Certificate of Completion.

TO KICK OFF THE EXCITING SUMMER PROGRAMMING,

the FSF Alumni Association hosted an event at the Lecta Innovation Center. Attendees enjoyed appetizers and refreshments while taking in sweeping views of the NYC skyline and connecting with fellow members of the FSF community.

During the first of four virtual sessions focused on each of FSF’s four Case Study disciplines, “FSF’S HARD LOOK AT: DESIGN AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT” provided attendees the opportunity to hear from Jessica Lomax (EVP and Global Head of Design at Calvin Klein), Christine Wu (Design Manager and Recover Apparel at Under Armour), Belange Mutunda (2020 FSF Scholar from Iowa State University), and Zachary Hoh (2010 FSF Scholar from University of Cincinnati and author of the FSF Design Case Study prompt).

The second virtual event in the Summer Scholar Series was “SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION.” Attendees heard from Tom Berry (Global Director Sustainable Business at Farfetch), Sarah Davis (Founder and CCO at Fashionphile), Jonelle Dawkins (Executive Director at Scraplanta Creative Reuse and FSF Class of 2019 Scholar), and Amy Williams (CEO at Citizens of Humanity Group). The panel was moderated by Ali Mize (Director, ESG, Belonging, and Corporate Philanthropy at Neiman Marcus Group).

For “FSF’s Hard Look At” series, the discussion focused on the MERCHANDISING CASE STUDY PROMPT and attendees heard from Sam Archibald (FSF Board Member and General Business Manager—Apparel at Macy's), Greg Colussy (Senior Director of Men’s Merchandising at Michael Kors and FSF Alumnus), Jessie Rycroft (VP of Merchandising— Young Women’s at Kohl's), Braedy Luxenburg (2022 FSF Scholar from Kent State University and Michael Kors Men’s Merchandising Intern), and Danielle Testa (Assistant Professor at Arizona State University, FSF Alumnus, and author of the Merchandising Case Study prompt).

Next in the summer lineup was perennial favorite, “LUNCH BREAK WITH THE BOSSES,” featuring Jim Kuerschner (President at Kule), Morgan P. Richardson (President of the Americas at La Perla), Hildy Kuryk (Co-Founder at Artemis Strategies and external policy advisor for Condé Nast and Vogue). The event was moderated by Jennifer Vecchio (President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Burlington Stores and FSF Board President). During the invaluable discussion, these accomplished executives candidly shared their insights on how they overcame professional challenges to become some of the most influential leaders in fashion.

Next up was the “WORKFORCE PREPAREDNESS EVENT,” which focused on the current job market, post-pandemic hiring trends, and networking tips. FSF Scholars and Alumni tuned in to hear from moderator Kristy Hurt (Executive Recruiter and Human Resources Consultant), Sasha McNair (Manager, Global Talent Acquisition and DEI at Tiffany & Co.), Nicole Moses (Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at J.Crew), and Erica Eimer (Vice President, Human Resources—U.S., Luxury Fashion Brand).

During a Master Class on the topic of LUXURY STREETWEAR, attendees heard from Herbert Hofmann (Creative Director and Head of Buying at Highsnobiety) and Nin Truong (Design Director at Highsnobiety).

In July, FSF hosted the third event in “FSF’s Hard Look At” series, highlighting the BUSINESS STRATEGY PROMPT. Scholar applicants heard from Peter Akbar (Global Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Fashion at SAP), Heath Golden (Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer at Marquee Brands and FSF Board Member), Abhi Gupta (Agency Measurement Lead at Google and FSF Alumnus), Stacie Henderson (U.S. Head of Ecommerce, Digital and Consumer Experience at TOD'S Group, and FSF Board Member), and moderator Danielle Testa (Assistant Professor at Arizona State University, FSF Alumnus, and author of the Business Strategy Case Study prompt).

Later in the month, attendees were given the opportunity to hear from

MASTER CLASS SPEAKER, DESIGNER

JOSEPH ALTUZARRA, who launched his namesake luxury brand in 2008 and quickly became one of fashion’s most buzzed-about young designers. Attendees heard first-hand about the details of his journey and the valuable lessons he learned along the way.

To close out the “FSF’s Hard Look At” series, Scholar applicants interested in the

MARKETING ANALYTICS

DISCIPLINE tuned in to learn from moderator David Katz (EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Randa Apparel & Accessories, and FSF Board Member), Jess Burns (SVP, Brand Marketing at Rent The Runway), Annie Pan (2022 FSF Scholar from University of California, Berkeley), Danielle Testa (Assistant Professor at Arizona State University, FSF Alumnus, and author of the Marketing Analytics Case Study prompt).

A highlight of the Summer Scholarship Series, Levi’s participated in a Master Class discussion that focused on BRAND COLLABORATIONS FROM INCEPTION TO LAUNCH. Panelists included Levi’s team members: moderator Heather Roussel (Vice President, LSA Merchandising & Licensing and FSF Board Member), Emily Mulle (Senior Merchant Global Collaborations), Kaitlin Grant (Merchant U.S./Canada Collaborations), Connie Shen (Senior Manager Entertainment Marketing), Casey Watson (Senior Social Media Manager, U.S.), and Samantha Son (Assistant Merchant, Collaborations & Partnerships and Class of 2020 FSF Scholar).

Toward the end of the summer in August, FSF also hosted “A CONVERSATION ON BUILDING

A BEAUTY BRAND WITH SEPHORA” that included Megan Graham (Founder of Ries), Kiku Chaudhuri (Co-Founder of Shaz & Kiks), Priyanka Ganjoo (Founder of Kulfi), and Rauvan Dulay (SVP Global Merchandising Business Development & Strategy at Sephora), as well as Master Class speakers.

View the full list of 2022 Summer Scholar Series events and videos.

We’re in a special place where we have the power to write new rules. There are a lot of walls being broken down and possibilities pushed because of our achievements in design and fashion.

—HERON PRESTON

2022 Summer Scholar Series Speaker

FSF Alumni Association

The mission of the Alumni Association is to continue the relationships formed through the FSF Scholarship program, to advance FSF Alumni in their career pursuits, and to create a dynamic Alumni program that builds loyalty to the Fashion Scholarship Fund.

The FSF Alumni Association is comprised of 1,900 previous FSF Scholarship recipients and led by a dedicated group: David Canfield (2014 FSF Scholar from Lehigh University and Head of Corporate Strategy and Business Development at Saks OFF 5th), Allison Dameron (2017 FSF Scholar from University of Missouri and Business Strategy Associate at Macy’s), Brittany Katz (2011 FSF Scholar from Washington University in St. Louis and Senior Manager, Demand Planning, Women’s— Americas at Christian Dior Couture), Samantha Stern (2017 FSF Scholar from Cornell University and Product Development Manager, Knits at Alexander Wang), and Marrisa Wilson (2013 FSF Scholar from Marist College and Founder and Creative Director of MARRISA WILSON NY). The Association also works closely with the Alumni Committee Chair Celeste Gudas, Founder and CEO of 24 Seven, Inc. and FSF Board member.

Even after graduation, the FSF continues to provide our former Scholars with valuable professional development and networking events throughout the year.

In March, the Alumni Association hosted, “RUNWAY

RECAP: A CONVERSATION WITH ROOPAL PATEL.”

During this virtual session, attendees heard from the SVP, Fashion Director at Saks Fifth Avenue, as she described the role of the fashion office at Saks and shared key takeaways from the Fall 2022 runway shows.

During an invite-only webinar for FSF Alumni in Spring of 2022, BoF’s President, Nick Blunden, and Content Strategists Robin Mellery-Pratt and Alice Gividen presented the “SIXTH ANNUAL STATE OF FASHION REPORT.” Panelists explored topline insights from the 2022 State of Fashion report, identified emerging opportunities including the metaverse, domestic luxuries, and circular textiles, and they discussed best practices to execute them. The panelists also addressed new and persisting challenges such as supply chain and cyber resilience.

To close the summer season, the FSF Alumni Association hosted a social event at The Met, which included a private tour of the “Kimono Style” exhibit followed by drinks on the museum’s Roof Garden Bar.

In the fall, FSF Scholars and Alumni were invited to an exclusive tour of the @LOUISVUITTON

#200TRUNKS200VISIONARIES

exhibit on display at the former Barneys New York space on New York’s Madison Avenue. The tour was led by Faye McLeod, the Visual Image Director, and Ansel Thompson, Senior Art Director at Louis Vuitton. Exhibit curators and close collaborators of Virgil’s spoke to attendees afterwards about what it was like to work with Virgil on memorable visual projects, including the larger-than-life statue of Virgil that stood at last year’s #LouisVuitton men’s show in Miami, which featured his final collection for the house.

— IREN BARNEVA 2017 and 2019 Scholar Parsons School of Design

The Fashion Scholarship Fund provided me with incredible tools as a young professional when I had no idea where to begin. It guided me with a clear path.

The mission of the annual FSF Accelerator Grant is to invest in past FSF Scholarship recipients who we believe are the future leaders of fashion. The program awards a $50,000 grant and one year of mentorship to an outstanding FSF Alumni-led company startup. A team of fashion-industry leaders also works with our Accelerator Grant winners throughout the year on specific business issues.

On June 30th, four FSF Alumni finalists presented their nascent businesses to a panel of esteemed judges who provided industry insights and feedback. The judges for the event were Emily Bode (Founder of Bode), Rickie De Sole (Fashion and Editorial Director at Nordstrom), Nata Dvir (Chief Merchandising Officer at Macy's and FSF Board Member), Stephanie Horton (Global Consumer Marketing Director at Google), and Yehuda Shmidman (Chairman and CEO at WHP Global and FSF Board Member).

FSF Alumni Accelerator Grant Finalists

—JAMEEL MOHAMMED

2021 FSF Accelerator Grant Recipient, Founder of KHIRY

“The FSF Accelerator Grant allowed me to invest in crucial initiatives which grew our bottom line, but more importantly, it gave me access to pointed tactical feedback and strategies I needed to navigate growth effectively.”

Sieun Lee

Parsons School of Design, Class of 2019

Jessica Landzberg Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2016

Tyshaia Earnest Kent State University, Class of 2018, 2019, and 2020

2022 FSF ACCELERATOR GRANT RECIPIENT

Brittany Mori, Parsons School of Design

The meaningful mentoring and financial support the FSF Accelerator Grant provided gave us the resources and structure we needed to establish ourselves as a small business. We are so grateful and humbled to be working with the FSF.

BRITTANY MORI The Modeliste Studio

2022 FSF LIVE Gala

On April 11th, the Fashion Scholarship Fund gathered more than 750 Scholars, Alumni, industry C-suites, designers, and influencers at NYC’s new Glasshouse to toast the FSF Class of 2022, honor two industry luminaries, and experience storytelling from the four FSF Finalists competing for the $25,000 Chairman’s Award. The award—FSF’s highest honor of the year—was presented to Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar, Naecia Dixon, from Savannah College of Art and Design.

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Renée Elise Goldsberry kicked off the evening, wearing an ensemble designed by FSF Accelerator Grant Finalist and Class of 2013 and 2015 Scholar, Marrisa Wilson (MARRISA WILSON NY) and jewelry by Accelerator Grant winner and Class of 2015 and 2018 Scholar, Jameel Mohammed (Khiry).

FSF honored Neiman Marcus Group CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck for his work championing young, underrepresented fashion talent and honored the extraordinary legacy of Virgil Abloh, FSF Board member, friend, and founder of the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund.

Watch a recap of FSF LIVE 2022 and view the Class of 2022 FSF Scholars and gala supporters

I want a little Black Jamaican girl to see me how I saw Virgil. That I am not a saint or a superhero or a goddess. That I am just a Black woman who worked her ass off to get here. And if I can do it, she can too.

—NAECIA DIXON

2022 FSF Chairman’s Award Winner Savannah College of Art and Design

Partners and Supporters

FSF Partners and supporters—Through their generous investment and engagement, FSF Partners and supporters sustain the efforts of the Fashion Scholarship Fund and create important educational, professional, and creative opportunities that foster the ongoing career success of FSF Scholars and Alumni. In addition, the two groups address FSF Partners’ business interests and corporate values.

In 2022, the FSF was one of a handful of U.S.-based nonprofit partners named as a beneficiary of the COACH FOUNDATION’S GLOBAL “DREAM IT REAL” initiative, supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds through scholarships and mentorship with the goal of creating 5,000 “Dream It Real” Scholars by 2025. The Coach Foundation subsequently also created three new “Dream It Real” Scholarships for promising community college students, to be awarded in 2023.

In the fall, acclaimed sportswear designer Eric Emanuel announced the creation of the ERIC EMANUEL X FSF SCHOLARSHIPS, gifting $500,000 for the program’s first five years, with five $10,000 college scholarships to be awarded each year to students with entrepreneurial spirit and pop-culture sensibilities. Scholars will receive extra grant opportunities, an apprenticeship, and one-on-one mentoring from Emanuel and his network of industry leaders.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, fashion brand ANNE KLEIN and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Gina Rodriguez teamed up with the Fashion Scholarship Fund for a graphic tee design competition offering a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to Valeria Nicole (FSF Scholar, recent graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, and Puerto Rico native), to have her original design for a commemorative T-shirt sold at AnneKlein.com and at Macy’s stores nationwide with 100% of the profits going to the Fashion Scholarship Fund. Valeria was also featured along with Gina Rodriguez wearing her design in Anne Klein’s national campaign to support the initiative. In addition, Anne Klein and Gina Rodriguez hosted an intimate lunch at the Soho House in Los Angeles in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month for local FSF Scholars.

For the second year in a row, FSF partner company Milk Makeup donated 1% of their annual e-commerce sales to create competitive scholarships for BIPOC FSF Scholars interested in entering the beauty industry. The MILK MAKEUP VISIONARY FUND offered two awards of $10,000 to two of six FSF Scholars selected, based on submission of winning Case Studies on digital branding and product development. In addition to the financial support, selected Scholars were assigned Milk Makeup employees as their professional mentors and given internships at the company.

BUSINESS OF FASHION, a longtime partner to FSF, offered Scholars and Alumni the opportunity to receive an annual “Business of Fashion Professional” subscription free of charge. In addition, Alumni were also provided access to “Business of Fashion Insight Reports” at a significant discount. BoF and FSF also partnered on multiple professional-development events to provide the FSF community with opportunities to learn about relevant topics from the industry’s most sought-after leaders.

In February 2022, FSF and NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP (NMG) introduced a partnership to NMG’s customers through point-of-sale fundraising during Black History Month, raising over $40,000 to benefit the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund. In March and April 2022, NMG continued point-of-sale fundraising during Women’s History Month and Earth Month, with proceeds supporting a new NMG X FSF SCHOLARSHIP FUND for students aspiring to careers in sustainable and ethical fashion. Customers and associates successfully raised $125,000 to launch this new scholarship, which has supported NMG's efforts to advance sustainable products and services as part of their 2025 ESG strategy.

As part of a NORDSTROM retail initiative honoring Virgil Abloh (NewConcepts@Nordstrom’s Concept 018: Virgil Abloh Securities), Nordstrom made a generous contribution to the Virgil Abloh™ “PostModern” Fund. In the summer, Nordstrom hosted a “Lunch & Learn” conversation and Q&A event. Employees and FSF Scholars heard from Sam Lobban (Nordstrom EVP GMM, Apparel and Designer), Jian DeLeon (Nordstrom Men’s Fashion & Editorial Director), Peter Arnold (Executive Director of the Fashion Scholarship Fund), Tawanda Chiweshe (Alaska Alaska Creative Director), Francisco Gaspar (Alaska Alaska Artistic Director), and Anne Pasternak (Shelby White and Leon Levy Director of the Brooklyn Museum). Conversations covered New Concepts 018, the Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech” exhibit, and the ways in which the late visionary Virgil Abloh fundamentally reshaped how consumers see creativity and the world around them.

In spring of 2022, the winners of 2021’s PACSUN X FSF GENDER NEUTRAL DESIGNER COLLABORATION, Allegra Abrams (a student at University of Wisconsin—Madison and 2021 FSF Virgil Abloh™ “PostModern” Scholar) and Oli Perez (a graduate of Otis College of Art & Design and 2018 FSF Scholar), had their collections developed, manufactured, marketed, and sold by PacSun. Both designers also received a $10,000 award in 2021.

SKIMS established the SKIMS X FSF SCHOLARSHIPS to be awarded to five 2023 FSF Scholars who demonstrate talent and commitment around thematic areas of interest for SKIMS, such as advancing textile innovation, solutions-oriented design, adaptive clothing, and size inclusivity.

In fall of 2022, The VF Foundation announced a generous grant to the Fashion Scholarship Fund, renewing its support of THE VF FOUNDATION X FSF ALUMNI MENTORING INITIATIVE and expanding the innovative pilot program, THE VF FOUNDATION X FSF COMMUNITY COLLEGE PIPELINE INITIATIVE

In the spring of 2022, three FSF Community College Scholars were selected for the pilot program. Each Scholar was granted a cash award of $5,000 to complete a valuable 10-week pre-professional program in the summer of 2022, specifically designed for their needs and administered by the Fashion Scholarship Fund. During the pilot year of The VF Foundation x FSF Community College Pipeline Initiative, Scholars enjoyed an immersive, all-expense paid, two-day “job-shadowing” experience hosted by VF brand Kipling at their Jersey City headquarters.

TRUE RELIGION partnered with FSF in 2022 to create a COMMUNITY COLLEGE BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP $5,000 award to support one second-year student enrolled in a two-year community college in California who aspires to matriculate at a four-year university in pursuit of a career in a fashion-related field. Encouraging community college students to matriculate at a four-year degree-granting institution is the goal of this scholarship program, as it aims to impact students’ prospects.

In the winter of 2022, the HEARST MAGAZINE'S "A SEASON WITHOUT SWAG" campaign redirected participating companies’ client holiday-gift spending to a nonprofit of their choice. The FSF was honored to be selected as one of the organizations that benefitted from Hearst Magazine’s participation in this initiative.

Designer Heron Preston launched the HERON PRESTON L.E.D. (LESS ENVIRONMENTALLY DESTRUCTIVE) INITIATIVE, powered by the FSF, with funds raised in October 2022 by Preston’s “From the Collection” series auction on eBay of selected rare sneakers from his personal collection. 100% of the proceeds will help provide grants to young creatives.

Named Scholarships

Named Scholarships give our talented young visionaries meaningful support while also contributing to the vitality of the greater fashion and related industries. Scholarships can be created in honor or in memory of an individual or through a corporate partnership.

SPECIAL AND NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO THE CLASS OF 2022 FSF SCHOLARS

Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarships

Awarded to undergraduates of academic promise of Black, African American, and African descent.

2022 Recipients: Autumn Bentley (Kent State University), Taliyah Coles (Marist College), Kachina Daniel (Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus), Naecia Dixon (Savannah College of Art and Design), Aliyah Freeman (Fashion Institute of Technology), Kaitlyn Gilliam (Howard University), Shanita Hunt (Indiana University), Ifechi Ilozor (Brown University), Ahmrii Johnson (Parsons School of Design), Nyanna Johnson (University of Cincinnati), Korin Jones (Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus), Jamesether Koigbli (Thomas Jefferson University), Kierra Lee (Thomas Jefferson University), Amira Linson (University of North Texas), Camille McHenry (Marist College), T'yanna Neely (Thomas Jefferson University), Latonya Presley (University of North Texas), Samuel Stern (Thomas Jefferson University), Chibuike Uwakwe (Harvard University), Jakarie Whitaker (Clark Atlanta University), Jade Williams (Academy of Art University), Gianni Williams (Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus), Mya Wright (Florida A&M University)

AAFA Education Foundation Scholarship

Awarded each year to an undergraduate pursuing a business-related discipline or course of study at an AAFA-affiliated college/university.

2022 Recipients: Adriana Cameline (Thomas Jefferson University), Abigail Ashbacher (Iowa State University), Katyana Avila (Fashion Institute of Technology), Ethan Martin (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), Naomi Tucker (University of Georgia)

Burlington Stores Scholarship

Awarded to a student who demonstrates interest in a discipline or course of study relevant to Burlington Stores.

2022 Recipient: Lauren Schmahl (Indiana University)

The Coach Foundation x FSF “Dream It Real” Scholarships

Awarded to five students, the Scholarships were created by Coach Dream Week and dedicated to help students pursue their dreams.

2022 Recipients: Ava Armstrong (North Carolina State University), Natalie Della Selva (Columbus College of Art and Design), Mikayla Doughney (Kent State University), Caroline Floyd (Colorado State University), Victoria Malloy (Savannah College of Art and Design), Amber Wang (University of Pennsylvania)

evian Positive Change Award

Awarded to one of the top four FSF Competition Finalists.

2022 Recipient: Emily Becker (Iowa State University)

Fashion Scholarship Fund Chairman’s Award

Funded each year by the entire FSF Board of Governors and awarded to the overall FSF Scholarship Competition Winner at the FSF Annual Gala.

2022 Recipient: Naecia Dixon (Savannah College of Art and Design)

Levi’s® Scholarship

Awarded to a student who demonstrates interest in a discipline or course of study relevant to Levi Strauss & Co.

2022 Recipient: Isabella Kostrzewa (Parsons School of Design)

LVMH Difference Makers Scholarships

Awarded to students who demonstrate interest in a discipline or course of study relevant to LVMH.

2022 Recipients: Autumn Bentley (Kent State University), Taliyah Coles (Marist College), Kachina Daniel (Savannah College of Art and Design), Aliyah Freeman (Fashion Institute of Technology), Kaitlyn Gilliam (Howard University), Shanita Hunt (Indiana University), Nyanna Johnson (University of Cincinnati), Korin Jones (Savannah College of Art and Design), Ifechi Ilozor (Brown University)

Macy’s Scholarship

Awarded to a student who demonstrates interest in a discipline or course of study relevant to Macy’s.

2022 Recipient: Kaitlyn DeLong (Savannah College of Art and Design)

Marty’s Light: the Marty Staff Scholarship

Awarded to one student each year who has an interest in menswear or other fashion-industry sector influenced by Marty Staff and who embodies Marty’s legacy, demonstrating fearlessness, inspiration, innovation—and fun, joy, and energy.

2022 Recipient: Mark Bissell (Marist College)

Milk Makeup Visionary Fund Scholarships

Awarded to students pursuing disciplines or courses of study relevant to Milk Makeup and who present innovative Case Study presentations in the areas of Product Development and Digital Branding + Marketing. Six students were selected to make special presentations, of whom two of were designated the Milk Makeup Visionary Fund Scholars, receiving an additional $10,000, a paid internship at Milk Makeup, and a dedicated year-long mentorship with a seasoned leader in a department of interest to the Scholar.

2022 Recipients: T'yanna Neely (Thomas Jefferson University), Annie Pan (University of California, Berkeley). Runnerups: Nura Bawab (University of Texas at Austin), Latonya Presley (University of North Texas), Paige Raymond (Indiana University), and Kelsei Zliczewski (Lehigh University)

The PVH Foundation Forward Fashion Scholarship

Awarded to a student who demonstrates interest in a discipline or course of study relevant to PVH.

2022 Recipient: Eliezer Eisenman (Drexel University)

Ross Stores, Inc. Scholarships

Awarded to five students each year who demonstrate excellence in retail leadership, present a merchandising Case Study, and are preferably based in the Eastern U.S.

2022 Recipients: Madison Breemen (Marist College), Sharon Chapman (Virginia Commonwealth University), Virginia Granato (Drexel University), Leah Olsen (The Ohio State University), Nicholas Porrazzo (LIM College)

Runway of Dreams™ x FSF Scholarship

Created by the Runway of Dreams Foundation and awarded to a student with an interest in, or a Case Study with a direct application to, adaptive fashion.

2022 Recipient: Ahmrii Johnson (Parsons School of Design)

Gloria Vanderbilt Scholarship—Supported by One Jeanswear Group

Created to honor the legacy of fashion-industry icon Gloria Vanderbilt and awarded to an exemplary student each year who is considered to be an emerging leader who demonstrates exceptional vision and entrepreneurship.

2022 Recipient: Maria Andrea Conde-Porto (Otis College of Art and Design)

Allan J. Zwerner Scholarship

Created by the Zwerner Family in memory of FSF Board member Allan J. Zwerner and awarded each year to an undergraduate from the University of Florida or FSF Member School in Florida.

2022 Recipient: Sofia Enriquez (University of Florida)

For information about creating a Scholarship or Scholarship Fund, please contact development@fashionscholarshipfund.org.

FASHION FORWARD

In January 2023, WWD published an ad announcing the Class of 2023 FSF Scholarship winners and thanking FSF’s generous supporters. The ad was linked to an FSF microsite introducing our newest class of Scholars to the industry and featuring each scholarship recipient’s Case Study, CV, and profile information. View the Class of 2023 FSF Scholars, including the third cohort of “Post-Modern” Scholars.

The 127 members of the Class of 2023 represent a wide range of creative and business disciplines and attend 47 colleges and universities across the U.S. 53% of our new Scholars are BIPOC, 13% are first-generation to college, and 26% are Pell Grant-eligible.

The Class of 2023 includes 27 Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholars, bringing the total number of scholarships awarded through this legacy scholarship program—founded by Virgil Abloh at the FSF in 2020—to 70.

Class of 2023

FSF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

INCLUDING THE 2023 VIRGIL ABLOH™ “POST-MODERN” SCHOLARS (BOLDED)

Ryun Ha Kim, Rhode Island School of Design

• Mary Randall, Indiana University

• Emily Hochbaum, Columbia College Chicago

• Ivonne Malagon Arreola, Columbia College Chicago

• Megan Lenzi, Iowa State University

• LeeAnn Huang, Arizona State University

• Margaret McDonald, Cornell University

• Kiah Thorne, Drexel University

• Samuel Stern, Thomas Jefferson University

•

Ana Carolina Leisner, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising

• Mya Wright, Florida A&M University

• Genaro Ramirez, University of North Texas

• Samantha Brooks, Fordham University

• Isabella Kostrzewa, Parsons

• Grace Schechter, Fashion Institute of Technology

School of Design

• Lara DeBoy, Drexel University

• Hazel Anne Ycasiano, George Brown College

• Aliyah Hohl, Indiana University

• Clay Lute, LIM College

• Nicole Fusco, Drexel University

Megan Gole, Harvard University

• Chibuike Uwakwe, Harvard University

• Lindsay Portwood, University of Georgia

• Amirah Shupe, Kent State University

• Cristina Cruz, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Lei Xiang, Parsons School of Design

• Napat Rattanaprakarn, Academy of Art University

• Abigail Ashbacher, Iowa State University

• Helena Miller, LIM College

• Angel Stewart, Iowa State University

• Emma Flinchbaugh, Lehigh University

• Tiffany Barney, Columbia College Chicago

•

•

Mallika Sabnani, Drexel University

• Katherine Blackburn, Auburn University

• Annika Rasmussen, Marist College

• Piper Wild, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Tatyana Gilbert, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Florence Kim, New York University

• Rosa Stancil, North Carolina State University

• Kathleen Flynn, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Yvett Sanchez, University of Wisconsin-Madison • Qi Li, Otis College of Art and Design

• Helen Sotropa, Parsons School of Design

Kay Kuhon, The Ohio State University

• Natalie Sweeney, Marist College

• Sarah Smith, Colorado State University

• Uzoamaka Oranugo, Kent State University

• Eve Adami, Rhode Island School of Design

Elizabeth Singleton, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Mia DeMeola, Fordham University

Abigail Bedard, Marist College

Commonwealth University

• Elizabeth Jerro, Indiana University

• Evelyn Gonzalez, Columbia College Chicago

• Tahaj Tanksley-Barrett, Morehouse College

• Sabrina Martinez, Arizona State University

• Samantha Love, Indiana University

• Grace Ferrara, University of Cincinnati

• Gbemisola Atinsola, Savannah College of Art and Design •

• Saba Farajollahi, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Sarah Holman, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Kevin Addison, Indiana University

• Lauren Donahue, Colorado State University

Latifah Hirchi-Vogl, Colorado State University

• Rehan Naeem, Lehigh University

• Sadie Kinzer, Virginia

• Chance MacArthur, University of Southern California

• Savannah Applewhite, Columbia College Chicago

• Anna McGregor, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Allissa Divak, Marist College

•

•

•

• James Mamrol, Thomas Jefferson University

• Naecia Dixon, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Leah Rosenkranz, Cornell University

• Alyssa Albano, Lehigh University

• Annika Petersen, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Kennedy Obermeier, Indiana University

• Mallory Butts, Spelman College

• Ryley Struckhoff, University of Missouri

• Jakarie Whitaker, Clark Atlanta University

• Sophie Scott, Colorado State University

• Jack Winkler, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Sarah Marston, The Ohio State University

• Lyla Duffy, Thomas Jefferson University

• Layla Chambers Foster, Drexel University

• Jules Newkirk, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Karlee Ingegno, Fashion Institute of Technology

• Chutine Wei, University of Cincinnati

• Alaina Wodarek, West Virginia University

• Tracey Jean-Claude, Syracuse University

• Prateeksha Prabhakar, The Ohio State University

Isabella Wood, Savannah College of Art and Design

•

Lisa Woolfall, The University of North Carolina, Greensboro

• Wanjing Zuo, Otis College of Art and Design

• Jordan Kelleher, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Katherine Haidvogel, Iowa State University

• Fatmata Camara, LIM College

• Emma Faidley, The University of Texas at Austin

• Amaryllis Dunklee, The University of Texas at Austin

• Stephanie Gouchoe, Savannah College of Art and Design

•

Satchel Smith, Thomas Jefferson University

• Ella Vap, Tulane University

• May Davis, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Malachi Star, University of Cincinnati •

• Aletheia Olear, Arizona State University • Britney Zhang, University of California, Berkeley

Kimiko Quayle, Lehigh University

• Isabella Song, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Fatima Barati, University of North Texas • Kierra Lee, Thomas Jefferson University

• Sofia Enriquez, University of Florida

• Lauren Moise, University of Georgia • Connor Seger, Washington University in St. Louis

• Gabriella Stone, West Virginia University

• Malik Gilbert, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Rachel Slesnick, The Ohio State University

• Julian Tong, University of Minnesota

• Simon Schaffner, University of Cincinnati

• Katelyn Hornyak, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Bria Roberts, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Daniel Jackovics, University of Southern California • Amira Linson, University of North Texas

• Jillian King, University of Missouri

• Jessica Moss, University of Delaware

• Melissa Richardson, Savannah College of Art and Design

• Bryanna Strickland, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Kailey Bertram, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Alexander Britto, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Olivia Baba, Washington University in St. Louis

2023 SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS

AAFA Education Foundation | Burlington Stores | Capri Holdings | Disney | Eric Emanuel | Highsnobiety | Levi Strauss & Co.

LVMH | Macy’s | Milk Makeup | Moët Hennessy | Mylo™ | Neiman Marcus Group | Nordstrom | Pacsun | PVH | PVH Foundation

SKIMS | QVC | The VF Foundation | Whatnot

&LANA | Chanel | Coach Foundation | G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. | Heron Preston | Informa Markets Fashion | Kohl’s

L’Agence | Marquee Brands | Mattress Firm | Morgan Stanley | Peerless Clothing | Perry Ellis | Ralph Lauren | Ross Stores | Steve Madden

Tailored Brands | Tharanco Lifestyles | The RealReal | The TJX Companies, Inc. | Threadstone Capital LLC | Timberland

True Religion | 24 Seven Talent | Versa Group LLC | Weissman’s Theatrical Supplies, Inc. | WHP Global

Citi | CIT Commercial Services | Fashionphile | Fossil Group | Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP | Gordon Brothers

H. Feller Enterprises | ITOCHU Prominent | Kenneth Mink | Movado | One Jeanswear Group | Runway of Dreams Foundation

Savannah College of Art and Design | Six Lincoln | Swatfame, Inc. | The Zwerner Family | Wyse Consulting

I believe WWD and FSF to be fundamentally like-minded in our commitment to supporting the future of fashion. We share a mission to create platforms that inform, educate, and grow the industry. Providing students—the next generation of leaders in our community— with opportunities they may not otherwise receive, is essential to the success of that mission.”

—AMANDA SMITH President of Fairchild Media and FSF Board Member

Board of Governors

The FSF Board of Governors is a network of influential industry leaders who share their diverse perspectives and areas of expertise in order to steward FSF's mission and exercise oversight. Board members are also directly engaged with the FSF’s mentorship, internship, and professional-development programs. Many serve as individual mentors, providing invaluable career advice and guidance to FSF Scholars and Alumni.

VIRGIL ABLOH+ Off-White Founder and Chief Creative Director

MIKE ALIC Management One President

MICHAEL ALLISON Burlington Stores EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer

SAM ARCHIBALD* Macy’s Inc. General Business Manager, Apparel

PETER ARNOLD* FSF Executive Director

KEITH BAPTISTA PRODJECT Managing Partner

GLEN ELLEN BROWN* Ember Advisory Co-Founder & Managing Partner

CAROLYN D’ANGELO Gordon Brothers Senior Managing Director, Brand Operations and President of Laura Ashley Global

JUNE DEFABIO Alvarez & Marsel Consumer/Retail Group, Senior Director

ABBEY DONEGER DONEGER | TOBE President and CEO

NATA DVIR*

Macy’s Chief Merchandising Officer

HOWARD FELLER* H Feller Enterprises

Founder

MIKE FRALIX [TC]2 President and CEO

KIERA GANANN Bolt Threads Chief Commercial Officer

HEATH GOLDEN* Marquee Brands President

GEORGIE GREVILLE Milk Makeup Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer

ALEX GRINBERG Movado Senior Vice President Customer and Consumer Programs

CELESTE GUDAS* 24 Seven CEO and Founder

STACIE HENDERSON* TOD’S Group Chief Marketing Officer, Americas

DAVID KATZ*

Randa Apparel & Accessories EVP, Chief Marketing Officer

MITCHELL KONSKER Jones Lang LaSalle Vice Chairman

JESSICA LOMAX Calvin Klein EVP, Global Head of Design

MATT LAUKAITIS SAP EVP and Global GM, Consumer Industries

DEBRA MALBIN

Debra Malbin Associates Founder

MARC MASTRONARDI* Macy’s, Inc. Chief Stores Officer FSF Board Chairman

KAREN MURRAY Fivestory Owner

KENNETH NOLAN G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. Senior Vice President of Creative

DAN ORWIG

Peerless Clothing President

KRISTIN REHBERG Kohl’s VP of Design

PAUL ROSENGARD* Parsons Adjunct Professor FSF Board Treasurer

HEATHER ROUSSEL

Levi Strauss & Co. Vice President Merchandising Global Women’s, Collections, Collaborations, Accessories & Footwear

PETER SACHSE* Tailored Brands Group Chief Executive Officer

MICHAEL SETOLA* Tharanco Lifestyles CEO and President

YEHUDA SHMIDMAN* WHP Global CEO

STANLEY SILVERSTEIN WHP Global Chief Commercial Officer

DAVID SIRKIN Industry Consultant

AMANDA SMITH Fairchild Media President

MAUREEN STORCH AAFA Senior Vice President Membership

WILLIAM SUSMAN* Threadstone Capital LLC Managing Director

CHIP THOMPSON* Ralph Lauren Senior Vice President Of Sales, Men’s Luxury and Department Stores

JOHN TIGHE* Tailored Brands Chief Customer Officer FSF Board Vice President

LANA TODOROVICH* Neiman Marcus President & Chief Merchandising Officer

ELECTA VARNISH Industry Consultant

JENNIFER VECCHIO* Burlington Stores President, Chief Merchandising Officer FSF Board President

MEGHAN WILLIS Under Armour VP of Product Development, Apparel & Accessories

KENNETH WYSE Wyse Consulting President

Board list as of March 31, 2023

+In Memory

*Executive Committee member

Financial Overview

*These are pre-audited numbers

FSF Office

Peter Arnold, Executive Director

Marie Colletta, Senior Director of Education Programs

Jenna Flint, Director of Partnerships

Katherine Simone, Education Programs Assistant

Alyssa Zinola, Director of Events and Special Projects 1501 Broadway Suite 2001

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2022 FSF FSF