Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund
Virgil Abloh (1980-2021) was an artist, architect, engineer, designer, musician and DJ, chief creative director, and artistic director. Throughout his career, he focused on advancing equity and inclusivity across these disciplines. The Fashion Scholarship Fund is honored to be part of carrying out his legacy and impact.
Click the video above to watch the highlights from Virgil Abloh’s roundtable discussion with FSF Scholars and Alumni on July 31, 2020 when Virgil looked back at his early years in the industry and shared his perspective on the work he’s doing today to foster equity and inclusion within the fashion industry.
The FSF invites new partners dedicated to equity and inclusion in the fashion industry to join in supporting the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern Scholarship Fund.
In July 2020, Virgil Abloh announced the creation of the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, raising $1 Million Dollars to Support the Next Generation of Black Fashion Industry Leaders. To date, over 100 “Post-Modern” Scholars have received $7,500+ college scholarship awards through the Fund.
Members of the inaugural 2021 class of “Post-Modern” Scholars held design, merchandising, and marketing internships at such companies as Brandon Maxwell, Estée Lauder, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Tommy Hilfiger, and Rimowa. Scholars were paired with creative and marketing mentors who are leaders at Baccarat, Bandier, Milk Makeup, New Guards Group, Nike, Off-White, and others.
The mission of the Virgil Abloh™ Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund is to expand opportunities in the fashion industry by providing scholarships to students who identify as Black or African American and those who reflect the creativity, curiosity, and progressive spirit that drive this work forward.
Mr. Abloh named the fund “Post-Modern” to represent that recipients will not only receive funds, but will also be given access to vital career support services and mentoring. In addition to his own donation, Abloh also initially raised funds from his partners evian, Farfetch, Louis Vuitton, and New Guards Group, with more partners to be announced in future as the Fund continues to work for long-term change.
Mr. Abloh said, on announcing the Fund: “I’ve always been passionate about giving the next generation of students the same foundation for success that was given to me. That’s why I’m excited to launch this Fund in partnership with the FSF, which has an outstanding track record of helping college students achieve successful careers.” He continued, “I’m also grateful to my partners for their donations, which are just a part of the long-term commitments I am working on with them to create greater opportunities for Black people in and outside of their organizations.”
In connection with the launch of the Fund, Mr. Abloh joined the Board of the Fashion Scholarship Fund. Peter Arnold, FSF Executive Director, said: “At the heart of the FSF’s mission is elevating the voices and creative visions of talented youth from underrepresented backgrounds who are the future leaders of our industry. Virgil is a trailblazer and a game-changer, leveraging his considerable influence to effect change from within. We are grateful to have this opportunity to partner with him and his partners to impact the lives of so many deserving young people."