Fashion Design Students Honored by Fashion Scholarship Fund

Jefferson fashion design students earned one of the field’s biggest honors with projects that highlighted the industry’s growing interest in environmental and social issues.

The prestigious Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF)—a leading fashion-oriented education and workforce development nonprofit organization—named five University students Class of 2024 Scholars. Only three schools in the country had more winners than Jefferson.

“Winning the FSF scholarship is such a door opener,” says Carly Kusy, associate professor of fashion design. “It provides students with unparalleled support, not just financially, but professionally. Being named an FSF Scholar provides them with a lifelong membership to an incredible network of support in our industry.”

Four students earned the FSF Case Study Scholarship, and one student won the Virgil Abloh “Post⁠-⁠Modern” Scholarship Fund, which aims to foster equity and inclusion within the fashion industry by providing scholarships and opportunities to students with academic promise who are of Black, African American or African descent. Abloh, who passed away in 2021, was an artist, architect, engineer, designer, musician, chief creative director and artistic director. Throughout his career, he focused on advancing equity and inclusivity.

For the FSF project, students designed a collection that evolves the sustainable practices of an existing fashion brand with an environmental and social focus. They addressed emerging sustainable product trends and incorporated them into their designs. The students’ vision reflected changing trends, such as advances in materials, production processes and design techniques.

Their collections also sought to create a meaningful connection to an identified consumer group, advancing their well-being. Students conducted target market and brand research to address how their collection will maximize the connection between the brand, the environment and society.

“The fashion design faculty were blown away by their submissions,” Kusy says. “Their talent, passion and thoughtful concepts were truly inspiring.”

The five students received at least a $7,500 scholarship each and were honored at an event in New York City on April 8. Learn about them below, and click on their names to see their projects.

Senior Elena Harris (she/her)
What does it mean to you to be recognized by the FSF and be named an FSF Scholar?
I’m inspired to create innovative designs, and I’m honored that others in the fashion world value my work.

What has been your favorite fashion design course so far and why?
Fashion Design Research. I love exploring different outlets of inspiration and learning new things about the world through my research.

Where do you find inspiration for your looks?
Pinterest and random Google searches. When I find something inspiring, I can’t help but dig deeper and learn everything about it.

What are your career goals after graduation?
Work at Urban Outfitters or Pacsun.

Harris also won a $2,500 American Apparel and Footwear Association Global Public Policy Scholarship.

Junior Kate Kaufmann (she/her)
What does it mean to you to be recognized by the FSF and be named an FSF Scholar?
It showed me that other people value the same aspects of design that I think are important. The social and environmental aspects of fashion design are key to creating change, and it’s great that FSF is highlighting these issues.

What has been your favorite fashion design course so far and why?
Fashion Design Development allowed me to focus on intentionality and detail in my designs, something I’m always working to prioritize.

Where do you find inspiration for your looks?
For this project, I was inspired by the idea that people’s bodies change naturally and clothing should be made to adjust accordingly. To achieve this adjustability, I drew inspiration from historical uses of buttons in fashion, which helped me develop new techniques for adjustability that don’t involve elastic.

What are your career goals after graduation?
I hope to work for a recreational outdoor apparel brand to make functional clothing for hiking or camping.

Junior Erin Keefe (she/her)
What does it mean to you to be recognized by the FSF and be named an FSF Scholar?
I’m honored to be awarded for a project that I’m passionate about. Being an FSF scholar, I feel privileged to have access to resources that can help me further my knowledge and career in fashion and sustainability.

What has been your favorite fashion design course so far and why?
Fashion Design Concepts, which involved the FSF project. I conceptualized two collections, one that centralized environmental, social and governance (ESG) and the other that integrated my style and sustainability. I want to pursue sustainability in fashion, and this class spiked my interest and confidence.

Where do you find inspiration for your looks?
Many different places. I’ve extracted shapes, motifs, lines, textures and colors from images or objects that interest me or fit the concept I aim to encapsulate. In past projects, I’ve referenced contemporary architecture, plants and other natural forms. For my FSF project, I created a print pattern based on Mediterranean-style mosaic tiling.

What are your career goals after graduation?
I would like to gain industry insight by working with a creative director or fashion designer. My dream job is working in sustainable fashion and philanthropy.

Junior Emily Nguyen (she/her)
What does it mean to you to be recognized by the FSF and be named an FSF Scholar?
Being recognized for a project—a gender-neutral swimwear collection—rooted in issues I’m passionate about has inspired me to keep pushing myself in fashion.

What has been your favorite fashion design course so far and why?
Studio 4 has given me creative freedom and taught me important skills.

Where do you find inspiration for your looks?
I love art and music, especially those who talk about prevalent issues, so I often combine these two sources of inspiration.

Nguyen also won a $2,500 PVH Fashion Forward Award. The honor goes to BIPOC undergraduates interested in the fashion industry.

Senior Satchel Smith (he/him)
What does it mean to you to be recognized by the FSF and be named an Abloh Post-Modern Scholar? 

It’s so amazing to be recognized as a Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholar for the second time. I put so much effort into this case study, and I’m eternally grateful to win and represent Jefferson.

What has been your favorite fashion design course so far and why?
Two stick out. Sustainable Concepts in Fashion Design taught by Professor Carly Kusy opened my eyes to the negative effects of the industry on the environment. In this class, we completed two projects that addressed zero-waste, pre-consumer waste and post-consumer waste design.

The other class, Diversity in Design taught by Professor Dareyna Swann, showed how we can become more diverse in our design process by addressing the needs of underrepresented communities in the industry. We chose a focus group, mine being people with neurological disabilities, and created a product that addresses their unmet needs. These classes helped me understand how I can improve my design capabilities.

Where do you find inspiration for your looks?
I look at the aspects of my life that I want to share with the world. I take pride in basing my work around the Black and LGBTQ+ communities. I feel as if the intersection of these communities is a pivotal point in history, especially the presence of ballroom culture and its impact on music, fashion and pop culture. Paying homage to the people who walked before me is a large part of my design aesthetic. I also address sustainability within my work, including the use of deadstock fabrics, zero-waste design and 3D design.

What are your career goals after graduation?
I’m looking to join an existing brand as a designer to gain experience working with a company, which would benefit my future goals and dreams. I would love to start my own fashion house or business to bring my ideas to the public and put my mark on the industry.