BY JOHN RUSSEL JONES. APR 10, 2024
The Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) celebrated its class of 2024 FSF and Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholars — 130 exceptional college students who have demonstrated their ability to disrupt and transform the fashion industry as creatives or as marketing and business professionals — on Monday, April 8th during FSF LIVE, the organization’s 87th annual gala at New York City’s Glasshouse.
Hosted by model and body advocate Paloma Elsesser, the event honored Michael Burke, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Fashion Group, Tracee Ellis Ross, award winning actress, CEO and Founder of Pattern Beauty, and Pete Nordstrom, President and Chief Brand Officer of Nordstrom, Inc. for their longstanding commitment to supporting and fostering the next generation of fashion talent and for their leadership in advocating for diversity and inclusive representation in the fashion industry.
Michael Burke was introduced by Spike Lee, award-winning film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and author, Tracee Ellis Ross was introduced by Karla Welch, Stylist and Founder and CEO of The Period Company, and Jamie Nordstrom, Chief Merchandising Officer of Nordstrom, who accepted the award on behalf of Pete Nordstrom, was introduced by three-time Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholar and Nordstrom Made Scholarship recipient Jakarie Whitaker.
Peter Arnold, Executive Director of the FSF, and Shannon Abloh, Founder and Board Chair of the Virgil Abloh Foundation, announced that the next cohort of Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholars will increase by 100% to 60 students next year.
The FSF awarded over $1.4 million in scholarships to 130 FSF Scholars who attend a network of 72 colleges and universities across the country, all of whom were in attendance and had their work showcased at the event.
Last month, the four highest scoring Scholar Finalists competed for the FSF’s $25,000 Chairman’s Award by presenting their in-depth case studies that provide solutions to an ESG priority presenting a real issue impacting the fashion industry to a panel of judges representing all sectors of the industry.
At FSF LIVE, each scholar Finalist and their case study topic was introduced by an industry leader and then briefly presented a personal statement about their background, inspiration and intention for their future career in the industry. The finalists (shown at top, L to R: Josh Tunac, Ben Callaghan, Chigy Nwogu, Olivia Meyer) included:
Ben Callaghan, Senior from Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah Campus, was introduced by Jian DeLeon, Men’s Fashion Director, Nordstrom.
Chigozirim Nwogu, Senior at New York University, was introduced by Sarah Benady, President, CELINE North America.
Olivia Meyer, Senior from Kent State University, was introduced by Linda Fargo, SVP Fashion Office and Store Presentation, Bergdorf Goodman.
Josh Tunac, Senior from Arizona State University, was introduced by Eugenia Miranda Richman, Editor-in-Chief, WWD.
The Winner of the $25,000 Chairman’s Award is Olivia Meyer, Senior at Kent State University. The award was presented to Meyer this evening by renowned designer Vera Wang, host Paloma Elsesser, and FSF Board President John Tighe.