Sharon Cho is a two-time FSF Scholar (Class of 2018 and 2019) and a graduate of Parsons School of Design (Class of 2019). Today, Sharon serves as Head of Design for Calvin Klein Men’s Outerwear at Herman Kay Company, where her work balances innovation with restraint and honors the lasting power of thoughtful design.
From Scholar to design leader, she continues to show how fashion can carry meaning, tell stories, and create lasting impact far beyond the garment itself. In the conversation below, Sharon reflects on the mentors who helped shape her voice, the deeply personal thesis project that became a catalyst for her career, and why she believes purpose, not just talent, carries designers forward.
FSF: How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Sharon Cho: Elevated. Minimal. Intentional.
FSF: What’s the most important lesson you learned through FSF?
SC: Purpose amplifies talent.
FSF: The future of fashion is _____.
SC: Purposeful and enduring.
FSF: How did FSF help you embark on your career—and how do you continue to engage with the community today?
SC: FSF was the foundation that transformed my ambition into direction. The scholarship allowed me to pursue my education at Parsons with full focus, but more importantly, it gave me a deep sense of belonging within a community that celebrates creativity, resilience, and purpose. Through FSF, I learned that design can be more than aesthetic—it can create impact. Today, I carry that belief forward by staying connected to the FSF community, supporting emerging designers, and advocating for mentorship as a meaningful bridge between education and the industry.
FSF: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your fashion journey so far?
SC: My parents, who served as missionaries in Vietnam, instilled in me the values of perseverance, humility, and purpose—principles that continue to shape how I design and lead. Those values became the foundation I carried with me as I entered the fashion industry, where I was fortunate to find mentors who believed in me even during uncertain seasons.
One of those mentors was someone I met through FSF, who recognized my potential early on and encouraged me to trust my voice as a designer. That early guidance helped me translate conviction into confidence. As my career progressed, that foundation was strengthened through professional mentorship, where creative leadership challenged me to refine both my craft and my approach to leadership. These influences have shown me that leadership, at its core, is an act of generosity and service.
FSF: Can you tell us about a recent project you’re proud of?
SC: The project that remains closest to my heart is my senior thesis, 4.16, created at Parsons. It was a tribute to the victims of the Sewol Ferry tragedy in South Korea—a moment that profoundly shaped my understanding of grief, responsibility, and collective healing. Through this collection, I used fashion as a medium for storytelling and remembrance, exploring how garments can carry emotion, history, and advocacy.
That body of work earned me the Yooxygen Award and led to a collaboration with YOOX NET-A-PORTER to launch the SHARONCHO x YOOX collection, centered on sophisticated sustainability. More than any accolade, the experience reaffirmed my belief that fashion can be both art and action.
FSF: What role do you see mentorship playing in the future of fashion?
SC: Mentorship is the heartbeat of progress. Every meaningful critique, conversation, and shared lesson I’ve received has shaped how I think, lead, and create. Fashion evolves through the exchange of knowledge, and the future of the industry depends on experienced creatives investing in emerging voices so innovation and integrity can grow together.
FSF: Are there lessons from your time as an FSF Scholar that still resonate today?
SC: Excellence lives in the details. Whether refining a seam, writing a thoughtful thank-you note, or taking initiative when no one asks, small, consistent actions define long-term success. FSF taught me that while talent opens doors, persistence and gratitude are what keep them open.
FSF: Any upcoming projects you’d like to share?
SC: We’ve just wrapped up designing the Fall ‘26 line for Calvin Klein Men’s Outerwear, and I’m now moving into the Spring ‘27 collection. The focus continues to be on redefining modern essentials through refined proportion, material innovation, and purposeful functionality.
FSF: Anything else you’d like to add?
SC: FSF changed the trajectory of my life. It gave me encouragement and opportunity at a pivotal moment. Through that support, I was able to move forward with confidence and pursue the path I felt called to walk. I hope to continue paying that forward by mentoring and uplifting the next generation of designers.
📲 Follow Sharon’s journey: www.sharoncho.com
