2021 Summer Scholar Series

The 2021 FSF Summer Scholar Series — nine weeks of robust virtual programming — consisted of two components:

Workforce Preparedness Courses: These classes focused on specific topics and hard skills as a supplement to what Scholars may be learning in school, in order to better prepare them for a successful career in the fashion industry. These sessions equiped Scholars, Scholar Applicants and Alumni for their future internships or full-time job opportunities.
Master Classes: The sessions, which were featured throughout the nine week program, allowed Scholars, Scholar Applicants and Alumni to hear from industry experts on relevant topics and current challenges of the industry.

The first Workforce Preparedness Course in the 2021 FSF Summer Scholar Series, attendees heard from recruiters at JBC Holdings, PVH, Ralph Lauren and Wolverine on how to prepare for and nail their next interview (virtual or IRL). From pre-interview research tips to post-interview “thank you” notes, this session armed Scholars, Scholar Applicants and Alumni with the knowledge they need to land their next dream internship or job. Speakers also covered onboarding suggestions to help the transition into a new role go as smoothly and effectively as possible, whether working remotely or in the office.

The first Master Class of the Summer Scholar Series, this session features DIANE VON FURSTENBERG in conversation with Vogue.com's Editor CHIOMA NNADI. "The secret of life," DVF says, is to "own our imperfections. Own our vulnerability; it becomes our strength. Whatever the challenge is, own it. Owning it is the first step to everything." View this recording to hear DVF's journey to success and the advice she has for those seeking to thrive in today's fashion world.

No matter what your dream career is, a basic understanding of accounting principles and level of comfort around a budget are keys to success in every facet of the fashion industry! During the third Workforce Preparedness Course in FSF’s Summer Scholar Series, Crash Course in Business Accounting, attendees heard from the Chief Financial Officer of Milk Makeup, Steve Nguyen, on the essential accounting concepts to embrace before entering the workforce or launching your own brand.

During this session, attendees heard from Elizabeth Giardina (Vice President of Design, Proenza Schouler White Label) and Tori N. Gibbs (Design Director, Nine West, Exclusive Brands at Kohl's), as well as past Scholarship winners and the author of the 2022 FSF Design and Product Development Case Study Prompt.

View this recording to learn how to build a successful career as a Designer, and take a dive deep into this year's Design and Product Development Case Study Prompt to prepare Scholar Applicants competing in this discipline for the 2022 FSF Scholarship Competition.

The sixth Workforce Preparedness Course in the FSF Summer Scholars Series, “The Adaptive Category: Ensuring an Inclusive Future in Fashion.” Attendees heard from Mindy Scheier, founder and CEO of Runway of Dreams and Gamut Management, about her personal and professional journey of making change happen in the fashion industry to include people with disabilities - from partnering with Tommy Hilfiger in making fashion history by creating the first ever mainstream adaptive clothing line to starting Gamut Management - a talent management company exclusively for people with disabilities. Learn why including people with disabilities is not only the right thing to do, but a business opportunity.

During this FSF Summer Scholar Series Master Class, American design icon Thom Browne shares with the FSF Community how he became one of the most influential designers of our time. Hear insights and life lessons from the man recognized for challenging and modernizing today’s uniform - a leader, a celebrated artist, a visionary. To view this recording, email rsvp@fashionscholarshipfund.org

View one of the summer’s most informal - and informative - sessions. Attendees heard from a trio of industry bosses: Nata Dvir (Chief Merchandising Officer at Macy's), Stacie Henderson (US Head of Ecommerce, Digital, and Consumer Experience at TOD'S GROUP) and Amanda Smith (President of Fairchild Media). During this discussion, these accomplished women will candidly cover topics ranging from their first post-grad assignments to how they overcame professional challenges to become some of the most influential leaders in fashion.

During the Summer of 2021, FSF conducted four virtual sessions dedicated to each of our Case Study disciplines (Design and Product Development, Merchandising, Marketing Analytics and Supply Chain). During this session, in partnership with SAP, attendees heard from merchants from Neiman Marcus and TJX, as well as past Scholarship winners and the author of this year's Merchandising Case Study.

During this FSF Summer Scholar Series Master Class, renowned designer and LGBTQIA+ advocate, CHRISTIAN COWAN, dives into everything from his design process and the mission behind his eponymous label to his recent unisex collaboration with music superstar Lil Nas X, which was sold to benefit the young Black queer community in Atlanta through the Loveland Foundation. Christian was joined by multi-hyphenate artist, model, dancer and social media star PARKER KIT HILL who has made waves in the fashion industry, starring in several campaigns for Christian Cowan, as well as leading brands such as Thom Browne, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and more.

The FSF Accelerator Grant Judging Event was held on Thursday, June 17th -- featuring four FSF Alumni Finalists presenting their nascent businesses to a panel of esteemed judges who will provide industry insights and feedback. We are pleased to share that the judges for this event are: - Sarah Easley, Founder and CEO of MaisonMarche - Stacie Henderson, Head of Ecommerce, Digital, and Consumer Experience at TOD'S GROUP and FSF Board Member - Alan Mak, Managing Partner of PUBLIC SCHOOL NYC - Marc Mastronardi, Chief Stores Officer of Macy’s and FSF Board Member - Lana Todorovich, President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Neiman Marcus and FSF Board Member - Wen Zhou, CEO and Co-Founder of Phillip Lim

This FSF Summer Scholar Series Master Class features a conversation between Celebrity Stylist Kate Young and longtime friend and Designer Victor Glemaud, as Kate shares her journey to becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought after stylists - from her formative years working at Vogue and the people and moments that helped shape her career, to her recent debut on YouTube with the series ‘Hello Fashion’. View for an inside look at the symbiotic relationship between stylist and designer, and gain unparalleled advice from two of the industry’s best.

Tune in on June 29th at 6pm EST for the fifth Workforce Preparedness Course in the Summer Scholar Series, “Introduction to Machine Learning: How Levi's Utilizes AI and Data.” Hear from members of the Levi's team -- their individual career journeys and how they've been able to leverage their diverse skill sets in the fashion industry. Then, get an exclusive look into Levi’s eight week intensive machine learning boot camp and learn how AI can be implemented across various disciplines.

This summer, FSF conducted four virtual sessions dedicated to each of our Case Study disciplines (Design and Product Development, Merchandising, Marketing Analytics and Supply Chain.) During this session, in partnership with SAP, attendees heard from Angela Rhea (Director of CSR & Quality at Nordstrom, Inc.) and Kimberley Smith (Chief Supply Chain Officer at Everlane), as well as past Scholarship winners and the author of this year's Supply Chain Case Study. View this session for an overview of supply chain and how to build a successful career in the Supply Chain field. Panelists then dove into this year's Supply Chain Case Study Prompt to prepare Scholar Applicants competing in this discipline for the 2022 FSF Scholarship Competition.

Mara Hoffman founded her eponymous label in 2000 after graduating from Parsons School of Design. Fifteen years later, she courageously shifted her entire business model to uphold a commitment to more sustainable and responsible practices. Now, Mara is recognized as a leader in the space of sustainable design, and on Wednesday, July 28th, Mara joined Erin Allweiss, Co-Founder of purpose-driven communications firm No. 29, to share how she is making a difference and why it’s so important.

“I try to hold myself accountable for everything we put out into the world, and I ask that all brands and consumers do the same." Mara Hoffman

click here to view the 2020 Summer Scholar Series