alumni spotlight: Sam
Samantha Son
Virginia Commonwealth University, 2020 FSF Scholar
A 2020 FSF Scholar, Sam Son graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising and an emphasis on Business and Product Innovation. During her visit to NYC for the FSF Awards Gala that January, Sam secured an interview at Levi’s which led to an internship offer in Merchandising. Despite the challenge of the pandemic and the cancellation of the internship program, she stayed in touch with Levi’s.
Sam interned for Levi’s in Summer 2021, which then led to her first full-time role at the company. Currently, Sam is an Assistant Merchant on the Global Collaborations & Partnerships team, working on projects with fashion brands including: Stussy, GANNI, Nigo, Denim Tears, and New Balance, among others. Through this role, Sam develops Levi’s collaboration projects from start to finish - initial concept designs with the partner to product development at the factories, to marketing activation launch events.
“It’s crazy to think that one conversation back in 2020 led me to where I am today, working right alongside some of the friends I made at the FSF gala many years ago! The opportunities I’ve been able to receive through the Fashion Scholarship Fund continue to be absolutely extraordinary. I’m so thankful that now, as an Alumna, I can be a part of cultivating the same experience I’ve had for current students and future leaders. The community, connections, and experience from the FSF are the primary reasons for my career in the fashion industry today and, three years later, I am still connected with the peers and mentors I’ve met along the way.
The fashion industry can’t be gatekept anymore. The FSF has helped to make the once impervious industry now approachable and attainable for anyone and everyone, no matter your background, experience, opinion, or ability. And that’s exactly what the future of fashion is about.”