Alumni Spotlights

Q&A WITH FSF ALUMNA, ARION WHEELER

**1. How would you describe your personal style in three words?**
I would describe my personal style as fearless, comfortable and elevated.
**2. Can you tell us about a project you’ve worked on recently that you are particularly proud of?**
A project that I recently worked on was here at my current job. I am a Visual Merchandiser Associate at Macy's Perimeter mall and one part of my job is that I have the opportunity to create and execute visual merchandising concepts and activations (called Pavilions). From the beginning planning stages of deciding on the product assortment, dissecting the layout, to dressing and styling the mannequins and to visualizing how the merchandise will work for the concept. The outcome of these Pavilions is giving the customers a Macy’s experience by bringing to the spotlight a holiday, theme or even new brands. With the guidance of my leadership and manager throughout the entire process, these Pavilions change every month with a new theme and create an experience for the customer as they enter our doors.
**3. Who or what has had the biggest influence on your fashion journey so far?**
I could name many people that have had an influence on my fashion journey. A few of my favorites are Wayman + Micah who are stylists, Tenicka who is a digital creator and shares her love of fashion and color, Rhianna who is a fashion muse with impeccable style, Kolin Carter who is a phenomenal stylist, and Bryon Javor another fabulous stylist. From each person that I named, their work and what they create is overall inspiring and to see what their creative mind can do is beautiful.
I would also like to speak on a woman in entrepreneurship whose name is Mia Ray. Mia Ray is a Detroit native who is the founder and CEO of Glamaholic-Lifestyle who creates and designs glam totes and exclusive travel like a G travel sets. She is the face of her brand and definitely has created her own lane for the everyday girl who likes to be chic without breaking the bank. Her line now includes cosmetic bags, wallets, travel accessories and a lot more. Mia Ray has been in business for over a decade and I admire her work ethic and the way she carries and creates for her business. I really admire who she is in entrepreneurship and who she is as a person.
**4. What role do you see mentorship playing in the fashion industrys future, and how has it impacted your career?**
I see the role of mentorship playing in the fashion industry as a huge role! Mentorship is very important in this industry and especially to me because there are young individuals like myself who are aiming and grinding to plunge their foot in the door. There have been individuals who have helped me get to where I am and those who have inspired me and gotten me in the certain doors and I am truly grateful for every opportunity and room that they entrusted me in. God has his hand all over me. Sometimes this industry can be very viel and unwelcoming and other times I feel like it’s difficult to enter yourself into the fashion space. And my hope is that there will continue to be more genuine people in the fashion industry who want to guide and support us young creatives working to get our foot in the door. When you find your way through the grit and hustle and all of the work you’ve done and it’s paid off you feel like you’ve accomplished what you set out to do. With hard work and dedication and most importantly my faith that’s where I pray to land. In the right doors.
**5. As a social media strategist, what do you see as the biggest trend shaping the future of social content creation for fashion brands?**
As a social media strategist the biggest trend I see today is AI. AI is the most popular platform right now for creators because it’s giving them more efficient ways to create their story and then allowing them to tie their hands to other projects while giving time to other things. As a strategist I am learning more about the different platforms and ways to simplify my work. Whether it be using Chat GPT or Grammly. The second thing I’ve noticed that is shaping the future of social content creation for fashion brands is the brands themselves working to be more inclusive and responsive. Creators have a true connection with their audience and now brands are realizing they are also having to build a more genuine connection with their audience and customers.
**6. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while studying fashion?**
The most valuable lesson I have learned while studying fashion is that there is no linear line, fashion is whatever you want it to be, the work you put in will pay off in the long run, and lastly, it’s okay to pivot. Pivoting is a part of the course!
**7. Any upcoming projects you’d like to plug?**
Yes! There are projects I would love to plug. I am a part of the Macy's Style Crew program where I stand as one of hundreds ambassadors to create fashion and beauty content for Macys on my Instagram. I also am the CEO of my Social Media Marketing Agency, Fearless Agency where I provide social marketing services to individuals and businesses to create a visual story for their brand. Whether it be social media marketing, content creation, planning and the understanding of marketing.

Michelle Kunz

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA & SDA BOCCONI, 2016 AND 2017 FSF SCHOLAR

Originally from Orlando, Florida, Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Florida with a focus on Retail Leadership and Mass Communications. She was honored with the Fashion Scholarship Fund Award twice consecutively, in both 2016 and 2017, and attributes the organization as the pivotal catalyst in her career’s success.

Currently serving as the U.S. Marketing Manager for Narciso Rodriguez and Issey Miyake fragrances at Shiseido Americas in New York City, Michelle drives both brands’ growth in the U.S. market while championing local strategies to ensure optimal brand development. Operating as a self-proclaimed “jack of all trades” marketer, her responsibilities include overseeing new product launches, collaborating closely with the salesforce on event animation, conducting market analysis and strategy ideation, and managing cross-functional partnerships with global brand holders.

Prior to her role at Shiseido, Michelle lived abroad in Milan, Italy, where she earned her MBA in Luxury Business Management at SDA Bocconi. Throughout the program, she honed her passion for brand storytelling and cultivating impactful global marketing campaigns. Further expanding her European experience, she later joined the International Marketing team for Lancôme Fragrances as a Marketing & Product Manager at L’Oréal’s global headquarters in Paris, France. There, she assisted in the strategic planning of integrated marketing campaigns and product development for two of the brand’s iconic franchises: Idôle and La Nuit Trésor.

Michelle’s journey in the industry began at Macy’s headquarters in New York City, where she served in various merchandising roles within men’s collections and women’s shoes before transitioning to the creative side as a Fashion Content Editor. During her tenure, Michelle also became one of the original members of the newly pioneered Style Crew, which allowed her to conceptualize, style, and create original fashion and beauty affiliate content for millions of Macy’s shoppers across various social channels.

Having built a strong foundation in both the fashion and beauty industries, Michelle’s innate passion for connecting with people has remained at the core of her career. Whether serving as a Career and Academic Peer Mentor at the University of Florida, mentoring countless prospective FSF Scholars, or coaching young professionals interested in entering the industry, Michelle has made it a priority to pay it forward by candidly sharing the insights she’s gathered throughout her dynamic experience.

Michelle is profoundly grateful to the FSF and the endless opportunities it has afforded her as an alumna since winning both awards. “Discovering the FSF case study competition and receiving the scholarship award was truly life-changing for me. It validated my ambitions of working in the fashion industry I always dreamed of joining and offered me countless opportunities to connect with industry titans and students alike. It has continued to fuel my confidence to boldly pursue my goals in this ever-evolving industry and has remained a steadfast pillar in my success. I feel indebted to the FSF community for all the incredible memories it has given me throughout these years and remain passionate about driving impact as an alumna of this organization whenever possible.”

JEREMY KALTEUAX

***UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, 2019 AND 2020 FSF SCHOLAR***
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Jeremy attended the University of Georgia where he received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Textile Design with a minor in Fashion Merchandising. In Jeremy’s sophomore year of college he was introduced to the Fashion Scholarship Fund and first met the Centric Brands team at the FSF Gala. Jeremy would later secure an internship with Robert Graham (a brand of Centric’s) on the surface design team the following summer.
After earning his degree, Jeremy moved to New York City to pursue his dream of working in fashion. He began working at Centric Brands, where he quickly made an impact designing for Kate Spade, AllSaints, and Coach. During his time at Centric Brands, Jeremy designed an array of products in the soft accessories category and received an early promotion. Jeremy’s design background and experience in licensing led him to his new role at Ralph Lauren. As a Design Associate in the Ralph Lauren licensing department, Jeremy works closely with the Head of Ralph Lauren Licensing and the Ralph Lauren Global Brand President to develop products across seven product categories from concept to final design. On a daily basis, he performs many roles as the liaison between Ralph Lauren’s outside partners and internal cross-functional teams.
Outside of work, Jeremy remains an active Alumnus of the Fashion Scholarship Fund and he’s had great success in multiple competitions that FSF has facilitated in partnership with company supporters. Most recently, Jeremy was a finalist in the Pacsun x FSF Gender Neutral Design Collaboration and the winner of the Tommy Bahama 2024 Artist Series, for which he co-designed a capsule collection.
Jeremy credits the FSF scholarship with playing a major role in his success. “The FSF truly changed my life. Growing up in the suburbs of Georgia, I had no idea how I was going to break into the fashion industry and make it to New York City. Because of the FSF, I was able to make lifelong connections with current mentors, bosses, and close friends. The entire FSF family is always there to lend a helping hand, make introductions, and provide me with all the necessary resources to have a successful career. For any students that are interested in a career in the fashion industry, you simply must apply.”

SAMANTHA SON

***VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, 2020 FSF SCHOLAR***
A 2020 FSF Scholar, Sam Son graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising and an emphasis on Business and Product Innovation. During her visit to NYC for the FSF Awards Gala that January, Sam secured an interview at Levi’s which led to an internship offer in Merchandising. Despite the challenge of the pandemic and the cancellation of the internship program, she stayed in touch with Levi’s.
Sam interned for Levi’s in Summer 2021, which then led to her first full-time role at the company. Currently, Sam is an Assistant Merchant on the Global Collaborations & Partnerships team, working on projects with fashion brands including: Stussy, GANNI, Nigo, Denim Tears, and New Balance, among others. Through this role, Sam develops Levi’s collaboration projects from start to finish - initial concept designs with the partner to product development at the factories, to marketing activation launch events.
“It’s crazy to think that one conversation back in 2020 led me to where I am today, working right alongside some of the friends I made at the FSF gala many years ago! The opportunities I’ve been able to receive through the Fashion Scholarship Fund continue to be absolutely extraordinary. I’m so thankful that now, as an Alumna, I can be a part of cultivating the same experience I’ve had for current students and future leaders. The community, connections, and experience from the FSF are the primary reasons for my career in the fashion industry today and, three years later, I am still connected with the peers and mentors I’ve met along the way.
The fashion industry can’t be gatekept anymore. The FSF has helped to make the once impervious industry now approachable and attainable for anyone and everyone, no matter your background, experience, opinion, or ability. And that’s exactly what the future of fashion is about.”

ISABELLA MENDEZ

***SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, 2019 FSF SCHOLAR***
Isabella is a former FSF recipient and is currently working as a Color Designer at New Balance. Her passion for fashion and sports has led her to a career in the activewear business. Through various internships and professional development events, she’s grateful to have learned many tools that have helped her on her professional journey in the creative field.
Coming from Venezuela, Isabella learned by example from her parents that making bold moves and taking every opportunity can lead to a bright future. Her parents moved to the U.S back in 2013 to have better opportunities for their family. This move led to Isabella applying to SCAD, from which she successfully graduated with a B.F.A in Fashion Design. In 2019, Isabella applied to the FSF Case Study Competition and was excited to be one of the year’s Chairman’s Award winner!
“Being part of the FSF has given me the chance to meet amazing people, learn from experienced leaders in the industry and, of course, it provided me with the biggest financial help in my career.” After college, she secured a full-time job at Kohl’s where she helped start a private brand from the ground up. As an FSF Alumnus, Isabella joined the FSF Equity Committee, through which she advocates for Hispanic and international students who may have more barriers to entry into the industry. “When I first submitted my project to the FSF I didn’t know if I had any chance but I’m glad that didn’t stop me, and I hope my story can inspire others to apply to this awesome program.”

AHMRII JOHNSON

***PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN, 2019 FSF SCHOLAR***
"Post-Modern" Scholar Ahmrii Johnson is a graduating senior at Parsons School of Design and is completing her BFA in Fashion Design: Systems and Society. She plans to reintroduce her art and design business as a full RTW label with a handcrafted Spring/ Summer capsule collection -- an evolution from the fine art prints, beauty accessories, and wearable art pieces that she produced while attending Parsons. Her studio, Ahmrii Lorraine, pays homage to her familial heritage and aligns with the mission to honor Caribbean craftsmanship and novelty design.
In addition, Ahmrii has been planning her first solo show at a gallery on the Lower East Side. Fine art has always been a seamless intersection of fashion for her, and Ahmrii will present this converging world of hers in September during New York Fashion Week.
As an FSF Scholar, she has been able to intern at Louis Vuitton for two years, build a community with the Runway of Dreams organization, co-design a capsule collection with Tommy Bahama, and expand her network with industry professionals at LVMH, G-III, and Ralph Lauren, among others. She credits FSF and its hands-on mentoring for these opportunities which will help prepare her for the industry ahead.

DAVE CANFIELD

***LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, 2013 FSF SCHOLAR***
A 2013 FSF Scholar and FSF Alumni Association Board Member, Dave attended Lehigh University. As a rising senior, Dave learned about FSF through a Marketing Professor and used the case study challenge as an opportunity to familiarize himself about the industry, which ignited a passion for retail that has continued to this day. Upon graduation, Dave traveled to NYC to begin a career in the fashion industry.
After submitting his case study in Fall 2013, Dave decided to pursue post-graduation career opportunities in retail, and thanks his work on the case study for educating him on the fundamentals of the fashion industry. With this knowledge, he happily accepted a position in Lord & Taylor’s Execute Training Program and used his FSF scholarship proceeds to move from Pennsylvania to New York City in Summer 2014. As a new resident of a new city, Dave found community with his fellow FSF Alums, who helped facilitate introductions, connect him to new friends, and provide support and advice while pursuing new projects and roles.
Since his time with Lord & Taylor, Dave held multiple positions with Merchandising and Strategy at HBC and Saks OFF 5TH, where he was responsible for long- and short-range planning as well as defining company-wide priorities and growth initiatives. In November, he joined PVH as Vice President, Strategy for Calvin Klein North America, where he is responsible for leading the region’s priorities while identifying new opportunities across the business.
A proven retail enthusiast and brand strategist, he credits FSF as giving him his start.

HANNAH WHEELER

***CORNELL UNIVERSITY, 2015 FSF SCHOLAR***
Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Hannah left the Midwest to pursue a career in the fashion industry and attended Cornell University studying Fiber Science & Apparel Design with a focus on fashion business management. Hannah received a scholarship from the Fashion Scholarship Fund her Junior year, which was a highlight of her college career! Now as an active member of the FSF Alumni community, the Fashion Scholarship Fund continues to have an invaluable impact on her professional journey.
Hannah had met the Bloomingdale’s college relations team virtually at a Cornell panel. Their relationship was solidified after meeting in person at an FSF event. After spending two summers at Lord & Taylor working in design and merchandising, Hannah started her post-graduate career at Bloomingdale’s in their Buying Executive Development Program. Hannah transitioned through several buying roles in Fine Jewelry, Furniture, and Women’s Contemporary RTW. Although she loved the product, Hannah found the most joy in the analytical aspects of buying and decided to make the switch over to the planning side of the organization where she held roles in Luggage and currently is the Planner for Silver & Gifting within the Tabletop division. Hannah greatly enjoys the opportunities to learn and grow from a wide variety of business areas at Bloomingdale’s and is so grateful for the connections FSF helped to facilitate that led her on this path.
Hannah continues to be involved in the Fashion Scholarship Fund and loves having the opportunity to reconnect with old friends at the in-person events and listen to career advice from industry leaders. Hannah encourages everyone eligible to pursue the opportunity. “It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that continues to pay dividends long past one’s scholarship years.”

JENNY JUNKER

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, 2018 FSF SCHOLAR AND 2019 FSF CHAIRMAN’S AWARD RECIPIENT

Jenny is based in New York City and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Merchandising and Design with a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies from Iowa State University. Her journey in the fashion industry was notably influenced by an early introduction to the Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF). Encouraged by her academic mentor, Jenny applied and became a 2018 scholarship recipient. In 2019, she was a Top 8 Finalist and went on to win the FSF Chairman’s Award.

In college, Jenny's passion for retail was evident through her active involvement in the ISU Fashion Show, National Retail Federation Student Association, and multiple undergraduate teaching assistant roles. Her most significant experiences, however, were tied to the FSF. Jenny used the FSF case studies to enhance her industry knowledge and presentation skills. Being an FSF Scholar provided her access to internships with iconic brands across various industries and positions, from Planning and Product Development to Investment Banking. Jenny credits the FSF with helping her launch her career in New York City and for fostering a connected network of supportive peers and mentors worldwide.

After graduating, Jenny began her career in Merchandise Planning at Ross Stores, where she gained skills in inventory management, assortment planning, and financial analysis. She then joined Calvin Klein as a Merchandise Planner, later transitioning into Merchandising, where she is currently a Women’s Apparel Merchant, specializing in Woven Tops. In this position, she oversees the creation of a global omnichannel line by collaborating with Design and Product Development colleaugues. She also builds relationships with key regional partners, ensuring accounts have what they need to drive commerciality while staying trend-relevant. For Jenny, Merchandising perfectly combines her love for product, financial strategy, and cross-functional collaboration. The most rewarding aspect of her role is creating beautiful products with a dedicated team.

Jenny remains an active FSF Alumna and attributes much of her early success to the network and support provided by the FSF. She is passionate about mentoring students and sharing her learnings with the next generation of talent, encouraging every student interested in succeeding in the industry to get involved with the FSF. “Winning the FSF Chairman’s Award catapulted my career—it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With the FSF’s support, I had the financial means to move to New York City and access to a welcoming network for building relationships and career opportunities. I hold my experience with the FSF in the highest regard and am deeply grateful to be part of this incredible community.”

MECCA HODGE

***AUBURN UNIVERSITY, 2020 AND 2021 FSF SCHOLAR***
A 2020 FSF Scholar and 2021 “Post-Modern” Scholar, Mecca Hodge graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Apparel Merchandising, Design, and Production Management. After completing a remote sales internship with Tanya Taylor, Mecca landed her current role as an assistant buyer in the women’s contemporary division for Neiman Marcus in 2021. In this role, Mecca is responsible for the full product life cycle for twenty brands. This starts with market prep and creating POs for new merchandise the buyer has purchased. In addition, she projects monthly and seasonal shipments from merchandise purchased at market months before and conducts re-orders/swaps to help fuel sales. She also submits RTVs and markdowns to help maintain the inventory (and gross margin).
“Winning a Fashion Scholarship Fund Scholarship and becoming a part of the FSF community was truly the highlight of my college experience. I found out one of our professors was holding an informational meeting on the FSF Case Study Competition literally hours beforehand, not realizing what this chance encounter had in store for my future.
Winning the scholarship and being exposed to numerous career opportunities was my initial goal, but the connections gained—both directly with fellow Scholars and indirectly through the Summer Scholar Series—are the extra bonuses that have lasted for years. I’m constantly amazed by the talented FSF Alumni I’ve met and read about. They’ve expanded my thinking and led me to seek higher heights. Moreover, I’m thankful for the indirect connection sparked from the jaw-dropping talent in the Summer programming. Through their stories and advice, a little fire has been lit within me to approach the things that scare me. The fact that these icons take the time out of their busy schedules to speak with Scholars is evidence enough of how special the organization is.
Overall, I’m thrilled to see FSF expanding and reaching more students. FSF recognizes the needs students have beyond college curriculum and provide a support system that lasts well beyond graduation. So thankful for the impact FSF has had on my career and excited to see the same for future FSF and “Post-Modern” Scholars!”

KYLE DENMAN

***FASHION INSTITUTE OF DESIGN & MERCHANDISING, 2019 FSF SCHOLAR***
Kyle Denman is a political scientist with a passion for fashion. Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kyle always wanted to explore professions in the creative industries but was torn with the possibility of doing so. With a secondary love for law and public policy, Kyle put his main love for the arts on hold and graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Kyle then moved across the country to Los Angeles, California, where he enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). He was admitted as one of ten students to the Advanced Fashion Design program and was added to the FIDM Hall of Fame. It was while he was studying in this Advanced Fashion Design program that he received the Fashion Scholarship Fund Award, which he credits as being a major component in his success.
Kyle has received many accolades throughout his education and career. While a student at FIDM, Kyle appeared on *Project Runway* and was named the 2016 Remake It Work Contest Grand Prize Winner. In 2018, Kyle was also invited to compete in an international competition hosted in New York City during which he was named the 2018 International Young Fashion Designer of the Year. He was then invited to be a part of the wardrobe team for Beyonce for the 2018 Coachella Music Festival. In 2021, Kyle showed a collection at New York Fashion Week which earned him the title of 2021 International Fashion Designer of the Year. Since then, Kyle has shown in Vancouver Fashion Week and Los Angeles Fashion Week and is preparing collections for both Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks. In 2023, Kyle was selected as one of fifteen artists of color (and one of nine FSF Scholars) to compete in the Bridge to Basel Competition sponsored by the Fashion for All Foundation, during which he attended Art Basel in Miami, Florida. In that same year, Kyle was named on *Forbes* 30 Under 30.
Currently, Kyle serves as the Executive Director of and leads Arts Bridging the Gap (ABG), a nonprofit located in Los Angeles County with the mission of uplifting the voices, identities, and self-expression of youth from underserved communities through healing arts programs so they can realize their fullest potentials and be their best selves.
Through his current work, Kyle aims to provide equitable access to the arts for young people and hopes to embody the spirit of the Fashion Scholarship Fund by working towards igniting a culture of change through creativity and curiosity. Kyle is grateful for the connections made and the doors opened by the Fashion Scholarship Fund. “The work I do and have always done is so aligned with the Fashion Scholarship Fund. I’m so thankful for the FSF community that has been built around me and am so grateful to be part of this amazing network of game changers, trailblazers, and culture shifters.” Kyle hopes to continue working with the Fashion Scholarship Fund and find a way to connect the dots and the coasts—from FSF in New York City to ABG in Los Angeles.

CLAY LUTE

LIM COLLEGE, 2023 CHAIRMAN’S AWARD RECIPIENT

Based in New York City, Clay Lute graduated from LIM College with a degree in Fashion Merchandising with a focus on International Business. Clay received the FSF 2023 Chairman's Award, which opened doors for him to build a career in Fashion and Consumer Strategy.

Named as a leader of Gen Z by The Guardian, Clay has been a featured speaker at multiple retail conferences, quoted in over 30 publications, and received accolades from The National Retail Federation, and Licensing International. His career mission is to bridge the gap between brands and consumers while creating new innovations in the retail industry.

In his current role as an Associate Merchant at Calvin Klein, Clay oversees Global Merchandising for Mens Denim. In this position, Clay directs and executes initiatives around sustainability, product innovation, and inclusive consumer strategies. In his previous role, he worked on the merchandising team at Todd Snyder overseeing the product strategy of the Suiting, Shirting, and Swim lines.

In addition to his career in the fashion industry, Clay has built a reputation around his work advocating and strategizing for the Gen Z consumer base. Clay is one of the founding members of The Z Suite, a cohort of Gen Z Professionals who work to mentor and consult leading retail, tech, and media companies on strategy, inclusivity, and young consumers. At The Z Suite, Clay has been a featured speaker across the country, leading panel discussions, and has given talks at events such as Shoptalk, CommerceNext, and eTailWest. His insights have been featured in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Forbes, and WWD. In 2024, Clay was announced as the host of Z Suite to C Suite— a new podcast ideated by Clay that is centered around multi-generational interviews and discussions on trending topics in the fashion and retail industries.

Clay credits The Fashion Scholarship Fund for supporting students from diverse backgrounds and working to build equal access to employment in the fashion industry. “Winning the Chairman’s Award was a career-changing experience that not only gave me the confidence I needed to chase new opportunities, but also opened the doors for me to begin chasing my goals in the industry. I am incredibly grateful to the FSF team, and especially thankful for the Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship Fund for giving hope to my biggest dreams. Fashion can often feel like a daunting world to face, but these organizations have built communities that cheer each other on— and that comradery is so powerful and it’s building a better future for all of us.”