Ben Callaghan, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah Campus, 2024 FSF Scholar and Top Four Case Study Scholarship Finalist

From a small town in Nova Scotia, Ben Callaghan grew up immersed in ice hockey. Drawing on the transcendent storytelling power of sports culture, Ben’s case study for Stone Island focused on creating garments brimming with character, inspiring meaning and value for the consumer, while simultaneously implementing environmentally responsible practices.

“I love dissecting a jacket to study the patterns, construction, every line and angle to understand how they produce the final product,” says Ben. “I have always been fascinated by these tiny details, and constantly trying to understand them better has allowed me to continue growing as a designer.”

Ben remains inspired to make a difference in the world of fashion and hopes to always be learning, and evolving. Through his work, Ben will push for a more sustainable industry by designing products that people will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Chigozirim Nwogu, New York University, 2024 Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar, Top Four Case Study Scholarship Finalist

When Chigozirim Nwogu began researching sustainability within the fashion industry, the images she saw were unimaginable. The landfills and beaches in countries like Nigeria and Ghana filled with clothes were shocking. The reality that this was happening every day and affecting millions of people and their access to basic resources sparked a fire in her — and ignited her case study for Y-Project’s Creative Suite.

“The Creative Suite campaign is centered around a robust Y/Project app with digital workshops and a secondhand marketplace for shoppers to jump-start their sustainability journeys,” says Chigozirim. “By meeting consumers where they are — at events, on social media, and via print ads — the brand simplifies the consumers' lifestyle transition, providing them with recognizable value.”

It can feel helpless to try to change such a huge problem, but Chigozirim threw herself into learning everything she could about sustainability to become a better advocate. As a storyteller, she helps tell the story of why sustainability is crucial to innovation, the environment, and the future of fashion.

Josh Tunac, Arizona State University, 2024 FSF Scholar and Top Four Case Study Scholarship Finalist

Josh Tunac had the fortune to study abroad in Japan for a semester during his sophomore year at Arizona State University. The Japanese aesthetic and the storytelling behind their styles opened his eyes to how creative and intentional fashion could be. He loved how young people styled themselves and was inspired to join the fashion industry.

“I was born and raised in Arizona, where we all loved our leisure wear. Out of necessity, we like to be comfortable,” says Josh. “But in Japan, how you dress represents who you are and who you want to be. It was important how you present to others. Everything was tied to identity, part of your uniqueness.”

Josh brought this new excitement and energy back with him, determined to find a way to combine his penchant for business with a passion for what fashion could mean. Josh designed his case study around how we can use technology to trace the entire history of a garment, from where materials are sourced until they reach the end consumer.