2025 Summer Scholar Series

In the fourth Workforce Preparedness Course in the FSF Summer Scholar Series, an overview took place on how social content influences and informs the fashion landscape and gave valuable advice on how Scholars can maximize their own or brand's presence. Whether building personal brand, managing a company’s channels, or curious about the many opportunities in the fast-moving digital marketing field, this session offered insights into the impactful intersection between fashion and social media. Featured Speakers included:

Charlotte Bentley, Director of Strategic Communications at Moda Operandi, Angel Stewart, Social Media Strategist at Tailored Brands (and 2023 FSF Scholar), Lauren Youngblood, Creative Production Lead at Meta (and 2013 FSF Scholar), Moderator: Sam Todd, FSF Social Media & Brand Marketing Consultant.

The second week of July, viewers joined the FSF community for a conversation with Rachel Scott, Founder and Creative Director of Diotima, and recipient of the CFDA's Empowered Vision Award (2024) and the Fashion Trust’s Ready-to-Wear Award (2025).

Scott shared how she has built a brand rooted in Jamaican craft, cultural storytelling, and contemporary design. The session was moderated by Creative Director Edward Buchanan and explored Scott’s creative journey—from the early days of entrepreneurship to celebrating Caribbean artisanal techniques on the global stage.

During the third Master Class in the FSF Summer Scholar Series, viewers joined us for an insightful conversation with friend of FSF and Pulitzer Prize–winning fashion critic and author, Robin Givhan. During this session, moderated by Edward Enninful OBE, Robin discussed her highly anticipated new book, Make It Ours, and unpacked the cultural impact of the late fashion industry visionary and former FSF Board member, Virgil Abloh.

Audience members learned more about how Abloh disrupted traditional fashion narratives and opened doors for a new generation of creatives — and how Givhan captured that inspiring legacy.

In the second Master Class in the FSF Summer Scholar Series FSF Scholars, Alumni, and Scholar Applicants tuned in to discover how LUAR Founder and Creative Director Raul Lopez turned a deeply personal vision into one of today’s most exciting and community-rooted fashion labels.

Known for redefining luxury through the lens of identity and inclusivity, Lopez shared how his Dominican heritage, Brooklyn upbringing, and commitment to cultural authenticity shaped LUAR’s rise with a discussion moderated by Laia Garcia-Furtado - Senior Fashion News Editor at Vogue Runway.

In the first Master Class in the FSF Summer Scholar Series, audience members tuned in for An Inside Look at The Met’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, with exhibition curator Monica L. Miller and Moderator Marley Marius, Features Editor at Vogue.

This one-hour session dove into the Spring 2025 exhibition of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, which explores 300 years of Black fashion and self-expression through the lens of dandyism, with insight from the exhibition’s curator Monica L. Miller.

 Viewers got a behind-the-scenes look at how fashion has become a form of resistance and distinction. From 18th-century tailoring to 21st-century refinement, discovering how style has shaped Black identity across time, geography, and culture — and how curation has played a powerful role in rewriting history through fashion.

The third Workforce Preparedness Course in the FSF Summer Scholar Series, in partnership with the Fifteen Percent Pledge – “Scholar to Startup: Turning that Idea into a Profitable Business." 

This virtual event was designed for fashion students and professionals who aim to bridge the gap between creative vision and entrepreneurial execution. Attendees heard directly from successful entrepreneurs and learned how to refine a concept, identify an audience, and build a brand that resonates and thrives in today’s competitive fashion landscape.

The session’s panelists included: Jonathan Cohen, Co-Founder and Creative Director of JONATHAN COHEN STUDIOS, Kathryn Fortunato, Co-Founder, Head of Sales and Operations of LIZZIE FORTUNATO, Jessica Rich, Founder of JESSICA RICH and the event was moderated by Robert Burns, Senior Director of Growth & Development – Black Brands at Fifteen Percent Pledge.

During the second Workforce Preparedness Course in the 2025 FSF Summer Scholar Series, viewers gained insider insights from seasoned recruiters at some of fashion’s leading companies as they walked through every stage of the interview process — from preparation to follow-up. 

Scholars, Alumni and Scholar Applicants heard from the following panelists: Alexander Morffi-Correoso, Director of Talent Acquisition and Development at LVMH, Michelle Le, Lead University Recruiter, HR at UNIQLO, Jess Spencer, Sr. Manager Talent Acquisition at Gap, Inc., and the session was moderated by Divina Gamble, Managing Partner at Korn Ferry.

The first week of June, Scholars, Alumni and Scholar Applicants joined FSF for the first Workforce Preparedness Course in the 2025 FSF Summer Scholar Series. The panel discussion was moderated by FSF Board Member and Macy’s, Inc. Chief Merchandising Officer, Nata Dvir, and explored how fashion brands are partnering with companies outside of the fashion sector. This session also offered helpful insights into the 2026 FSF Scholarship Competition theme: Fashion Across Industries.

Attendees heard from: Leo Gamboa, Vice President, Merchandising and Design Collaborations at Levi Strauss & Co., David Whetstone, Director, Design Collabs and Energy for The North Face and FSF's 2026 Case Study Prompt Author, Danielle Testa.