Three Spelman College students have been named Class of 2024
Virgil Abloh ‘Post-Modern’ Scholarship recipients as part of the Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF), the foremost fashion-oriented education and workforce development organization in the U.S.
Mallory Butts, C’2025 and repeat FSF scholarship winner, DaNae Harrison, C’2025, and Nailah Muhammad, C’2024, were selected from over 500 applicants to participate in FSF’s program. The three students will select a mentor, attend the annual FSF Awards Gala in New York City, NY, and have access to a wide variety of internships and full-time jobs though FSF partner companies.
“Our students should be commended for their hard work and dedication. Winning this scholarship required a considerable commitment to researching and creating original projects outside of their routine studies,” said Michelle S. Hite, Ph.D., associate professor of English and international fellowships and scholarships director at Spelman College. “Their interest in the fashion industry reflects a growing interest among Spelman students and definitely showcases what they are willing to do to find a place in that world."
From the 130 chosen applicants, 30 were selected as Virgil Abloh ‘Post-Modern’ Scholars. The scholarship fund was created by the late Virgil Abloh (1980-2021), creator of Off-White and the artistic director of Louis Vuitton men’s wear, in 2020 to support the next generation of Black fashion industry leaders. Abloh titled the scholarship ‘Post-Modern’ to emphasize the wealth of career support services and mentoring the students will receive in tandem with the financial reward.
To apply for the program, each applicant entered a case study competition whereby they submitted a comprehensive body of work in the field of design and product development, marketing and analytics, merchandising, or business strategy. The students addressed significant issues facing the fashion industry today as part of FSF’s signature program, the annual Case Study Scholarship.
Spelman is the only women’s college represented among the winners of the 2024 FSF Scholarship competition.
