On Tuesday, March 11, the FSF community gathered for one of the most anticipated nights of the year: the FSF Final Four Pitch Night. This event brings together the four finalists in the organization’s annual Case Study Competition, giving them a platform to pitch their industry-disrupting ideas to a panel of fashion power players—all in pursuit of the FSF’s largest scholarship award of $25,000.
From space-age climbing gear to AI-powered skincare personalization solutions, this year’s finalists proved that the future of fashion is in capable, forward-thinking hands.
MEET THE JUDGES
The 2025 FSF Final Four judges are industry leaders, tastemakers, and executives—each bringing their expertise in fashion, retail, and business innovation to the table. Their thoughtful insights and encouragement helped the finalists refine their vision and recognize the potential impact of their ideas.
The 2025 FSF Final Four judges:
Jerry Lorenzo – Founder & Creative Director, Fear of God
Amanda Smith – CEO, Fairchild Media & FSF Board Member
Gabriella Karefa-Johnson – Fashion Editor, Stylist, and Consultant
Kristin Maa – Chief Marketing Officer, Saks Global
MEET THE FINALISTS
Chloe Allen, Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar (Virginia Commonwealth University): Suiting Up to Embrace Adventure: AlphaTauri
Graphic courtesy Chloe Allen
The pitch: Inspired by her childhood experience with a medical condition that limited her mobility, Chloe Allen developed a deep appreciation for how technology can empower the body. That theme is central to her pitch, which pioneers a collaboration between MIT and innovation-forward brand Alpha Tauri, adapting NASA-grade spacesuit technology to enhance ice climbing performance.
The feedback: The judges were captivated by Chloe’s ability to merge technical innovation with fashion. Smith commented that "the level of research and application of cutting-edge materials show a deep understanding of both the sport and the science behind it."
Karefa-Johnson admired Chloe’s interdisciplinary approach, noting, "I wish I had been able to merge academia and fashion at Chloe’s age." She also complimented the “balance of restraint and vibrancy that makes the technology feel distinctly wearable,” which she described as "minimalism meets bold use of color.”
Flora Medina (Savannah College of Art and Design): MeBitz – Personalized Crocs for Everyone
Graphic courtesy Flora Medina
The pitch: Flora Medina took the stage with a concept, MeBitz, that would allow consumers to design and wear truly personalized Crocs charms. Tapping into the brand’s legacy of customization, Flora aims to make personalization more accessible and interactive.
The feedback: The judges were enthusiastic about the idea’s potential to resonate with younger audiences. Erusha-Hilleque shared her excitement, saying, "I loved your idea about taking kids’ art, which I don't know what to do with, and turning it into something like this. I think that’s a good hook for parents too."
Maa applauded Flora’s retail strategy, particularly the in-store activation concept, remarking, "Having kiosks where people can do this in-store, especially in high-foot-traffic locations, is a brilliant way to engage customers and encourage repeat purchases."
Fatmata Camara, Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholar (LIM College): Smart React – AI-Powered Skincare by The Ordinary
Graphic courtesy Fatmata Camara
The pitch: Fatmata Camara’s pitch tackled a common frustration in skincare—guessing what products to use and whether they’re actually working. Her idea, Smart React, proposes AI-powered, bio-sensitive technology to detect skin imbalances and provide real-time product recommendations from accessible skincare brand the Ordinary.
The feedback: The judges were particularly intrigued by how Fatmata combined technology with beauty in a way that felt both accessible and innovative. Karefa-Johnson saw enormous potential for the idea to extend beyond a single brand, saying, "If this scales well, it could be used at Mac, Clinique, or any of Estée Lauder’s other brands."
Maa praised the intuitive nature of Smart React, recognizing that "giving customers a tool to understand their skin in real-time is exactly where the beauty industry is headed."
Ryan Cheung (University of California, Berkeley): NeuroScent: The Future of Climbing Gear
Graphic courtesy Ryan Cheung
The pitch: Ryan Cheung’s pitch blended high-performance fashion with sustainability and digital innovation. His concept proposes a climbing-focused collaboration between On Running and Post Archive Faction, featuring a sustainable Fall/Winter 2025 collection designed for both performance and aesthetics.
The feedback: The judges were impressed by Ryan’s forward-thinking approach. Lorenzo recognized the strength of his concept, emphasizing that his idea "builds on an existing collaboration and takes it to the next level."
Maa acknowledged the potential in the climbing industry’s rapid growth and praised Ryan’s strategic thinking, saying that "this is the perfect time for On Running to establish itself in the space."
Karefa-Johnson appreciated the way Ryan connected technical climbing gear to broader fashion trends, suggesting that "climbing-inspired footwear could be the next big crossover in performance and lifestyle fashion."
THE FUTURE OF FASHION IS BRIGHT
As the FSF Final Four Pitch Event came to a close, one thing was clear: this next generation of talent is thinking big. Whether exploring cutting-edge materials, sustainability, or digital innovation, these students aren’t just keeping up with industry trends—they’re setting them.
With the $25,000 FSF Chairman’s Award on the line, the judges face the tough task of selecting one winner from a pool of remarkable ideas and presentations. As deliberations began, the FSF community was left with a sense of excitement for the future—because if these four finalists are any indication, fashion’s next chapter is in very good hands.
Watch the full event below and stay tuned for the official announcement of the 2025 FSF Chairman’s Award Winner at FSF LIVE 2025 on April 7.
