2026 Summer Scholar Series

This FSF Summer Scholar Series session featured Willa Bennett, one of fashion and culture media’s most influential editorial voices. As Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen — and former Editor-in-Chief of Highsnobiety, where she led the title to a National Magazine Award for General Excellence — Willa Bennett has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of fashion, culture, and lifestyle storytelling. Her career has spanned social and audience strategy at GQ and Bustle Digital Group, and her work has redefined how audiences engage with content across print, digital, social, and video. She was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in 2022.

In conversation with Steff Yotka, Global Editorial Director, i-D, Bennett explored the evolving landscape of fashion media — from breaking news and celebrity culture to digital innovation and audience engagement. This timely discussion examined how editors are adapting to a rapidly changing media environment and shaping the conversations that influence style, culture, and consumer behavior today.

The FSF Community joined us for a 2026 FSF Summer Scholar Series virtual event exploring the evolving world of digital media, social platforms, and commerce. Audience members heard from Sam Sussman, Global Director of Social at Vogue; Robert Reus, Vertical Director and Head of CPG Sales at TikTok; and Dakota Rae Lowe, Director of Brand Social and Influencer at Nordstrom, in a conversation led by Lucy Dolan-Zalaznick, Social Media and Video Director at Cosmopolitan and Seventeen, as they shared how today's leading brands, platforms, and publishers are shaping the future of digital storytelling and influence.

From driving global conversations at Vogue and TikTok to leading influencer strategy and brand storytelling at Nordstrom, these industry leaders understand what it takes to build authentic connections in an increasingly oversaturated online world.

During this one-hour virtual conversation, speakers discussed personal branding, content creation, creator partnerships, and the evolving relationship between social media, culture, and commerce—while sharing how authenticity can become one of your greatest competitive advantages.

Audience members joined us for our final Master Class of the 2026 FSF Summer Scholar Series , featuring Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow, co-founders and creative directors of Public School. Since launching the New York-based label, the duo has become known for redefining contemporary American fashion through sharp tailoring, cultural instinct, and a distinctive point of view. Their work has earned some of the industry's highest accolades, including the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award and CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award–and they have held creative director positions at some of fashion's biggest houses.

During this one-hour conversation, moderated by WWD’s Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Maxwell and Dao shared their journey of building Public School— from an emerging label into an internationally recognized brand — without ever losing sight of their creative vision. They shared the realities of entrepreneurship, what it takes to develop a distinct design point of view, the constant balancing act between creativity and business, and how to keep adapting as the fashion landscape keeps shifting under your feet.

Attendees experienced an inside look at what it takes to bring a fashion show to life, featuring leaders from KCD, the creative agency behind the industry’s most celebrated runway shows and events. From The Met Gala and the CFDA Awards to projects with Gucci, Prada, and Valentino, and more, KCD has been a driving force behind moments that have defined fashion on the global stage.

The FSF Community heard from KCD’s Rachna Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Brie Cross, SVP Media Relations and Sofi Corti-Maderna, Senior Director Digital as they shared what it takes to transform a creative vision into a world-class event—from production and public relations to casting, guest experience and content, and the countless other details that bring a project to life.

The FSF community joined us the for the fifth virtual Master Class in the 2026 FSF Summer Scholar Series featuring award-winning creative director, costume designer, and entrepreneur June Ambrose.

Over the course of her career, June has shaped some of the most influential moments in fashion, music, film, and popular culture. Through her visionary approach to creative direction and storytelling, she has used fashion to communicate a larger vision, transforming style into a powerful force for cultural impact, innovation, and influence.

The FSF community tuned in for a virtual Master Class on creative direction, world-building, and bringing ambitious ideas to life. Audience members heard from Faye McLeod and Andreas Neophytou, co-founders of CLOSER, a creative studio working across brands, campaigns, experiences, and cultural moments for some of the world’s most influential fashion, luxury, and lifestyle companies. Their work spans global brand platforms, campaigns, large-scale public installations, and immersive environments, including projects for Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Nike, Miu Miu, and Estée Lauder.

Faye is internationally recognized for her visionary approach to luxury storytelling and experiential design, having held creative leadership roles across Louis Vuitton, Dior, Selfridges, and the wider LVMH ecosystem. Her influential collaboration with the late Virgil Abloh helped redefine the possibilities of fashion communication and immersive retail experiences.

Andreas is an award-winning creative director whose work explores the intersection of strategy, design, culture, and technology. Across more than two decades, he has developed brands, campaigns, and experiences that help build distinctive worlds for brands.

Members of the FSF Community joined us for the second virtual Master Class in the 2026 FSF Summer Scholar Series. Audience members tuned in for Where Culture Meets Symbolism: Contemporary Design featuring Soull and Dynasty Ogun, founders and creative directors of L’ENCHANTEUR (and 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners).

Known for their distinctive approach to design and multidisciplinary creativity, Soull focuses within the realms of metalwork and jewelry, while Dynasty works across textiles, fibers, accessories, and garments. Together, they have cultivated a distinctive practice that seamlessly blends fashion, art, culture, and entrepreneurship.

Since its formation, Soull & Dynasty have grown and catapulted L’ENCHANTEUR into a multifaceted design house, producing unique works worn by Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Michelle Obama, and other notable figures. Their work demonstrates how a strong creative vision can evolve into a globally recognized business while remaining deeply rooted in authenticity and heritage.

FSF community members joined us for the first Masterclass in FSF’s Summer Scholar Series, featuring Tonne Goodman, legendary Vogue Fashion Director and Sustainability Editor, in conversation with designer Colleen Allen, CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year nominee and 2026 LVMH Prize finalist.

One of fashion’s most influential editorial voices, Tonne has helped define the visual language of modern fashion media for decades. Joined by Colleen Allen, she explored the role of styling, storytelling, and visual direction in shaping fashion culture and building a lasting creative point of view.

Together, they discussed creative collaboration, navigating careers in fashion and media, and the evolving relationship between editorial, design, and sustainability in today’s industry.

This one-hour virtual session offered inspiration and practical insight for anyone interested in editorial, styling, branding, publishing, creative direction, design, and the broader creative industries.

FSF Scholars, Scholar Applicants and Alumni, joined us for the first virtual session of FSF's 2026 Summer Scholar Series, moderated by Calvin Klein’s Chief Design Officer and FSF Board Member, Jess Lomax. This conversation explored the 2027 FSF Case Study theme – How Brands Recognize and Connect With Specific, Unique Consumer Segments Whose Needs Are Unmet or Underserved.

Attendees heard from Christopher Bevans, Sr. Director, Apparel Excellence Jordan Design at Nike, Michael Mangan, Director of Men’s Brand Marketing at J.Crew and Charlotte Warshaw, General Manager of Jewelry and VP Americas Wholesale, Global Licensing & Collaborations at Kate Spade New York on how they’ve successfully engaged with new audiences to expand their consumer base and drive sales.

From digital detoxing to breaking through gender stereotypes, discover how Nike, J.Crew and Kate Spade New York are lucratively tapping into niche markets that are eager for their attention.