by Industry executives mixed, mingled and gave a lot of good advice to students Monday at the Fashion Scholarship Fund Awards Gala.
The Fashion Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit that works with the nation’s most talented young students from diverse backgrounds and awards more than $1.4 million annually in scholarships, recognized 130 college students from the class of 2024 FSF Scholars and Past Scholars -Modern Virgil Abloh at the organization. 87th annual gala at the New York City Glasshouse on Monday.
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Hosted by model advocate and model Paloma Elsesser, the event honored Michael Burke, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH Fashion Group; Tracee Ellis Ross, actress, CEO and founder of Pattern Beauty, and Pete Nordstrom, president and chief brand officer of Nordstrom Inc., for their commitment to supporting and nurturing the next generation of fashion talent and their leadership for diversity and inclusive representation in the industry fashion.
Among the guests were Spike Lee, Shannon Abloh, Vera Wang, Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, Christopher John Rogers, Heron Preston, Willy Chavarria, Bibhu Mohapatra, Colm Dillane, Daniella Kallmeyer, Christopher Bevans, Gigi Burris, Jonathan Cohen, Eric Emanuel, Karla Welch, Linda Fargo, Rickie de Sole, Lana Todorovich, Paul Rosengard, Constance CR White, Jaimee Marshall, Debra Malbin, Fern Mallis and Steven Kolb.
Olivia Meyer, Kent State University senior who introduced at Fargo, senior vice president of fashion office and store, Bergdorf Goodman, received the $25,000 Chairman’s Award. Vera Wang, Elsesser and FSF Board President John Tighe presented her with the award.
“Thank you for empowering us so we can empower others,” Meyer said upon receiving her award.
Last month, the four highest scoring Scholar Finalists competed for the Chairman’s Award by presenting in-depth case studies that propose a solution to an ESG issue to a panel of judges. Meyer’s case study focused on Sheertex, which makes single-leg tights so you don’t have to replace the entire pair if the tights rip or run.
Meyer, who is from Chicago, said she hopes to move to New York after she graduates in the spring.
“She’s amazing in a way that you need to be to do that balance of business, between presentation, commitment to an idea and focus. Olivia has that,” Fargo said after Meyer won.
Elsesser encouraged the students to meet and mingle with the many industry heavyweights in the room.
“It wasn’t that long ago that I was a student at the New School. I was studying psychology and literature while working four different jobs. At that point, I’m not sure I could have predicted the path my life would take in the next 10 years. In my story, one person saw something special in me and sent an email that changed my life. That person was the famous artist Pat McGrath. Look around, students. This room is full of people you’ve never met who could change your life. You wouldn’t know. Don’t be shy tonight,” said Elsesser.
The students came from 75 colleges and universities in the US and demonstrated their ability to disrupt and transform the fashion industry not only as creatives, but also as marketing and business students. All the students were present and their work was exhibited at the event.
Peter Arnold, executive director of the Fashion Scholarship Fund, said last December, the FSF Board of Governors ratified a three-year strategic plan, mapping the path forward for both the FSF and the Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship Fund. “None of it would be possible without the support of each and every one of you,” he said.
Shannon Abloh, founder and chairman of the board of the Virgil Abloh Foundation, described how Post-Modern came about and what shaped “the amazing program”.
“First and foremost … a clear understanding that talent is everywhere but opportunity and access are not. Virgil and many of our friends who grew up knew and experienced this first hand. And even though he was the first in many industries — he was determined not to be the last,” Abloh said of her late husband, Virgil Abloh, who partnered with the FSF to fund Establishment of Post-Modern Scholarships in 2020 to date. promote equity and inclusion throughout the fashion industry by providing scholarship funds, career support and mentoring to Black students. Virgil Abloh, CEO of Off-White and artistic director of the Louis Vuitton menswear collection, died in November 2021.
Secondly, she said that “collaboration is a belief in community building. Virgil used to say that people often think that the mountain they are trying to climb is too high, but it really isn’t. Anything is possible if you build and move together.” And thirdly, “our vision of what is possible must always be limitless. Virgil was hopeful. He was a visionary, and when it came to the change we both wanted to see in the world, he was impatient.”
Abloh said with the support and partnership of the Virgil Abloh Foundation, the next cohort of Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholars will increase by 100 percent, doubling their support from 30 students to 60 students with scholarships in 2025.
Presenting the award to Tracee Ellis Ross, Welch, stylist and founder of The Period Co., said, “What can I say…Tracee Ellis Ross understands the task. She understands the power of fashion. She understands the power she has in fashion. Not only as a fun, joyful and self-expressive form, but she understands what it means to use fashion as a tool to make real change in the world.”
Ross, an actress known for her roles on “Girlfriends” and “Black-ish,” and the founder of Pattern Beauty, also gave advice to the students. “I join you this evening as a lover of fashion, creativity and business, and as a champion of change and innovation. I invite you to undertake the important work of threading the needle between what is profitable and what is right. They can be the same if you do your work with your heart open, not your eyes closed. And it helps to have a true love for humanity. So spread your ideas and creativity far and wide. We are counting on you. The world needs you and the fashion industry is waiting for you,” said Ross.
Pete Nordstrom, president and chief brand officer of Nordstrom, was not present to receive his award. “I’m not Pete Nordstrom,” said cousin Jamie Nordstrom, Nordstrom’s chief merchandising officer, who accepted it on his behalf. He told the crowd that he was honored to accept the award and that their job is to bring something new and something authentic to their customers. “And the only way that happens is someone comes up with a new idea. That’s not something you’re going to find sitting around the office or in a conference room….Every step forward we’ve ever had as a company has been because someone was brave enough to try an idea, and they had the support around them. execute that. It’s our responsibility to create that path to nurture that talent and give them those opportunities,” said Nordstrom.
Spike Lee, who presented Burke with the award, told the students to seek support. “You can’t do it alone, so remember that. Connect with the people who have the same goals and do your thing,” said Lee.
LVMH’s Burke said he doesn’t often give acceptance speeches and usually likes to show a video, but he was told the day before that he was cheating and had to come up with a speech.
He also encouraged the students to have a support system in place. “I encourage you to choose the things you’re really good at, what you’re passionate about, and be the best person in the world. Turn it into your superpower. What [Abloh] who was able to do that was so amazing that he did that by being nice. We never met a single person who didn’t think Virgil was cute. it pressed with niceness. That’s Virgil,” said de Burca.
Burke said it takes years of your life before you can be successful. “I advise you not to be successful out of the gates. It is almost impossible. You need that superpower, you need a great story, and that’s not enough. What you need is your support system. Where is Shannon [Abloh]? Shannon I’m talking about. Me, I had a great support system within the industry. I have had many mentors within the industry. My boss was a mentor, but more importantly, you all need a personal support system, in your families, people who will patiently wait through the years, for the butterfly to come and fly away. Personally, my wife was Brigitte, she gave me five sons. Those five sons and my late wife were my support system. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Launch Gallery: Fashion Scholarship Fund Hosts 87th Awards Gala Honoring Michael Burke, Tracee Ellis Ross and Pete Nordstrom
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