From left to right: Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Raul Lopez, Rylee Funfsinn, Kuan Jackson, Travis Scott, Justin Le, Madison-Jade Bishop, and Amanda Smith. Photo courtesy of BFA
On March 23, the Fashion Scholarship Fund gathered at The Glasshouse in New York City, where Hudson River views framed an evening that brought together all 160 FSF and Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholars from the Class of 2026, along with fashion industry leaders, designers, editors, executives, educators, and FSF Alumni.
Hosted by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, an FSF Alumnus and New York-based stylist, fashion editor, and visual storyteller, the night opened with a format shift that changed how the work was experienced. Scholars shared their case studies in a gallery-style setting designed for conversation, giving attendees the space to move through the work, engage directly with each Scholar, and spend time inside the thinking behind each idea.
The gallery setup made the work easier to access and impossible to overlook. Ideas were discussed in real time, questions sharpened the thinking, and connections formed around the details that don’t always surface in passing introductions. That same sense of exchange carried into the program itself, where remarks moved with intention, building from one voice to the next and culminating with the announcement of this year’s Chairman’s Award recipient.
LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE
Law Roach onstage at FSF LIVE 2026. Photo courtesy of Getty
“I really think fashion gave me my life. When I was growing up on the South Side of Chicago, I had no idea I would become the person I became. But what I did understand is that something told me I was special. And I listened to that voice when everybody else told me I wasn’t...I just had to figure out what made me special. When I look at the Scholars, I think some of you guys are probably still trying to figure that out as well…I urge you to listen to your voice, and not anybody else’s.”
Stefan Larsson onstage at FSF LIVE 2026. Photo courtesy of Getty
“To all our students here tonight: You have a unique set of superpowers. Many of you are about to take your first steps into our industry. It is an incredibly exciting industry, and also incredibly competitive and tough at times. By listening to your dreams, writing them down, and finding people who have done something similar — you will create a career in fashion beyond what you can see as possible today.”
From left to right: Future, Russell, Ciara, and Sienna Wilson onstage at FSF LIVE 2026, as well as their award presenter, Willa Bennett. Photo courtesy of Getty
““Fashion is no joke. It shapes culture. It makes statements. It brings people together…Don’t be afraid of the hard moments along the way. Every challenge, every setback, every time you push through doubt… trust that those are just your beauty marks in the making. Keep dreaming big. Keep believing in your vision.””
This year’s honorees—Image Architect Law Roach; GRAMMY Award-winning global icon, Ciara; Super Bowl champion quarterback, Russell Wilson; and Chief Executive Officer of PVH Corp., Stefan Larsson—represent different vantage points across fashion, culture, and business. The connection between them is evident in how each has used their platform to expand access and influence the industry's direction in tangible ways.
The evening’s remarks reflected that range. Actor and singer Jeremy Pope introduced Roach, whose perspective stayed rooted in craft and authorship, while Willa Bennett, Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen, alongside children Future and Sienna Wilson, welcomed Ciara and Russell to the stage, where their focus on partnership and long-term impact grounded the conversation in shared responsibility. Later, Tommy Hilfiger introduced Stefan, bringing the room back to leadership and the systems required to support emerging talent at scale.
Across each moment, the honorees each imparted wisdom of their own to this next generation of leaders. The conversation stayed close to the work itself, with a focus on discipline, decision-making, and the long view required to build something that endures, especially in an industry that ultimately remembers those who sustain relevance over time.
There was a shared understanding that success comes with the responsibility to open doors, to invite others in, and to support the next generation as they make their way in the industry.
THE CASE FOR WHAT’S NEXT
FSF’s Final Four Scholars onstage at FSF LIVE 2026, from left to right: Madison-Jade Bishop, Kuan Jackson, Justin Le, and Rylee Funfsinn. Photo courtesy of BFA
The Scholar presentations remain the centerpiece of FSF LIVE, and this year’s finalists approached the 2026 case study theme, cross-industry collaboration, with a level of rigor that reflects where fashion is headed.
Introduced by Colm Dillane, Founder and Creative Director of KidSuper, the four top-scoring Scholars, Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar and Drexel University student Madison-Jade Bishop, The University of Texas at Austin student Justin Le, Savannah College of Art and Design student Rylee Funfsinn, and Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar and Clark Atlanta University student Kuan Jackson took to the stage to share their backstories, their ambitions in fashion, and their case study concepts with the room.
PARTNERSHIP IN PRACTICE
Travis Scott onstage at FSF LIVE 2026. Photo courtesy of Getty
Before the winner was announced, special guest Travis Scott, GRAMMY-nominated artist, designer, and founder of the Cactus Jack Foundation, made a surprise appearance, highlighting the enduring partnership between the Fashion Scholarship Fund and the Cactus Jack Foundation.
In addition to funding a Named Scholarship program for the past three years, the partnership has already created new pathways for Scholars through the Cactus Jack Design Ethos program, which offers students a comprehensive education in “design disruption” and direct exposure to Scott’s creative systems.
His presence extended the scope of the night beyond fashion, connecting the work in the room to a broader creative ecosystem that continues to shape how ideas move across disciplines.
ANNOUNCING THE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
FSF Scholar Kuan Jackson accepting the Chairman’s Award onstage at FSF LIVE 2026. Photo courtesy of Getty
As the evening moved toward its close, Gabriella returned to the stage to guide the final moments, welcoming Amanda Smith, FSF Board President and CEO of Fairchild Media Group, and designer Raul Lopez of Luar.
Together, they announced this year’s Chairman’s Award recipient, Kuan Jackson, who will receive the $25,000 prize to support his next steps in the industry.
Jackson’s winning concept, "Built Different. Literally.", connects LEGO and KidSuper through an interactive digital portal where users submit original designs before any product moves to market, with those submissions shaping future drops and informing production decisions.
He closed the evening with remarks to his fellow Scholars that reflected the spirit of the community.
“This is not just my win. This is a win for all of us. True success requires time and patience. You have to ground yourself, and get right with your spirit, and get right with your mind. I want y’all to understand that you cannot lose, because every loss is a lesson learned. Together we win.”
SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION
Scholars from the Class of 2026 share their work with guests, from left to right: 2025 and 2026 FSF Scholar Bryce Propst, Colm Dillane, June Ambrose, and 2026 Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar Hina Quashie. Photo courtesy of Hannah Turner-Harts
This year, the Fashion Scholarship Fund awarded more than $1.9 million in scholarships to the Class of 2026, an investment that supports access to education while shaping long-term career pathways across the industry.
That support extends beyond scholarships, showing up in the relationships, mentorship opportunities, and continued development that define the FSF Scholar and Alumni experience over time.
FSF LIVE captures a moment, but the work continues well past it, carried forward by Scholars who are already contributing to the future they are stepping into.
