2024 Summer Scholar Series

On Thursday, July 25th at 12PM EST, Scholars and Alumni joined FSF for an insightful conversation with designer, founder and creative force behind KidSuper, Colm Dillane, on how he has pushed the boundaries of fashion. Colm was joined in conversation with Jakarie Whitaker, three-time Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Recipient.

From first launching KidSuper as an underground T-Shirt company in high school, Dillane’s colorful persona, innovative designs and artful approach to fashion have propelled him to the forefront of the industry - earning him recognition as Louis Vuitton's first-ever guest menswear designer in 2023. The brand has captured the attention of major names in music and beyond, including the likes of Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Lil Uzi Vert, and more.

KidSuper was hailed as "the breakout brand of the season" during its Paris Fashion Week SS 2020 debut, and in 2021 Dillane was a finalist for the LVMH Prize, where he was awarded the Karl Lagerfeld Prize. This month, the brand will stage its Paris Fashion Week show featuring performances by Cirque du Soleil artists.

Watch this video for an inside look on building a brand that consistently surprises and delights the industry through innovation, creativity and expression.

On Thursday, July 18th at 12PM EST, Alumni and Scholars joined FSF for an exciting conversation with American Fashion Designer Christopher John Rogers, who was joined by Vogue Runway Fashion News Writer (and FSF Alumnus), José Criales-Unzueta. Founded and based in New York City, the Christopher John Rogers brand exists to create emotional & sensitive clothing with a focus on effortful dressing. Rogers first launched his namesake label through his senior thesis at Savannah College of Art and Design in 2016, which soon captured the attention of press and celebrities like Cardi B - who made headlines when she first wore one of his designs to the BET Awards in 2017.

In those early days of his line, Rogers also worked full-time as a designer at Diane von Furstenberg. In 2019, he broke out on his own and went on to win the Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund competition, and two years later was awarded the CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year. His work has been included in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” exhibit, and was prominently featured in the buzzy remake of the “Gossip Girl” Television series.

On Thursday, July 11th, Alumni joined us for a special conversation between WWD's Style Director, Alex Badia, and celebrity stylist & creative director Jason Bolden on building his illustrious styling career, co-founding JSN Studio, and his role on the Netflix series, “Styling Hollywood.”

Recognized for his prominent red carpet work with A-List clients like musicians Sabrina Carpenter and Alicia Keys, poet Amanda Gorman, actors Nicole Kidman, Michael B. Jordan, Gabrielle Union, Cynthia Erivo, and many more, Jason Bolden has been recognized among the Hollywood Reporter's Top 25 Stylists year over year. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Jason has led an inspiring career with many chapters - from working in retail and opening a vintage store in New York City, to becoming a top stylist to Hollywood’s most celebrated stars, and breaking into the world of interior design.

On July 2nd, Alumni joined FSF for an inspiring conversation with Maria Cornejo, the beloved New York designer and founder of conscious fashion label Zero + Maria Cornejo. Since her brand’s inception in 1998, Chilean American designer Maria Cornejo has been a champion of sustainability and a pioneer of timeless, design-forward collections that are worn by influential women like Tilda Swinton, Michelle Obama, Diane Kruger, Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow and many more. Last year, Maria marked 25 years of her brand with a new book, ‘Back to Zero’, and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Honor by the CFDA.

A multidisciplinary creative, mother, and ethically-minded designer, Maria has paved her own path in the industry by staying true to herself and her vision. As she told WWD, “It’s always about being authentic and not trying to be somebody else. Find your own identity and find your client — dress your tribe.”

On June 20th, FSF hosted a special Summer Scholar Series conversation with celebrated New York designer Daniella Kallmeyer, moderated by WWD’s Senior Fashion Market Editor Thomas Waller. After attending London College of Fashion, Daniella trained under Alexander McQueen and Proenza Schouler before striking out on her own in 2012 - introducing a collection that quickly became known for its precise yet effortless tailoring. Now, over a decade in business, KALLMEYER has much to celebrate: the 5-Year Anniversary of its NYC store on Orchard Street, a recent profile in the New York Times, and a vibrant community of brand fans. 

Beloved by influential names in fashion, film, TV, music, sports and beyond - KALLMEYER has been spotted on the likes of Katie Holmes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Christy Turlington, Chloe Fineman, Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah and Kate McKinnon (who went viral for her custom KALLMEYER look at the Barbie premiere). A proudly queer female designer, Daniella’s sensibility and instinct towards empowering her clients through their wardrobes is deeply connected to her own identity.

In March 2024, Maria Grazia Chiuri was honored with the prestigious Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion. In celebration of that honor, FSF invited scholars to tune in for a panel discussion among Dior executive leaders, on Tuesday, August 27th.

Viewers heard from Alexandra Winokur (President, Christian Dior Couture Americas), Marisa Pucci (Chief Communications & Image Officer), Alexandra De Rancogne (Senior Vice President Human Resources), Nina Zukanovic (Executive Vice President Retail and Wholesale North America) and Hanh Nguyen (Senior Vice President Finance and Operations Americas).

Moderated by Lana Todorovich, Chief Merchandising Officer at Neiman Marcus and Fashion Scholarship Fund Board member, the discussion explored what goes into creating and sustaining a legacy brand. From retail to human resources and communications, viewers heard from Dior's industry veterans about their career learnings and how they've built success in fashion.

View this recording to hear a discussion between Mélissa Ait Ouakli (Chief Commercial Officer) and Bouba Silby (Global Wholesale Director) at Jacquemus, moderated by Lana Todorovich, President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Neiman Marcus and Fashion Scholarship Fund Board member.

Learn more about their career journeys and what keeps them excited about being a part of our ever-evolving industry.