Six Spelman College students have been named Class of 2025 Virgil Abloh ‘Post-Modern’ Scholarship recipients as part of the Fashion Scholarship Fund, the foremost fashion-oriented education and workforce development nonprofit in the U.S. Spelman’s 2025 cohort has doubled in size compared to last year.
Mallory Butts, C’2025 and three-time FSF scholarship winner; DaNae Harrison, C’2025 and repeat FSF scholarship winner; Kari Brown, C’2025; Taylor Branch, C’2027; Kennedy Hoyt, C’2027; and Chace Rumley, C’2027, were selected from hundreds of applicants to participate in FSF’s program. The students will select a mentor, attend the annual FSF Awards Gala in New York City, NY, on April 7, 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. Throughout the year, our students attended the FSF workshops and events available to them and harnessed that knowledge to prepare impressive applications. Winning this scholarship required a considerable commitment to researching and creating original projects outside of their routine studies,” said Dr. Michelle S. Hite, associate professor of English, international fellowships and scholarships director, and FSF educator 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 160 applicants, 60 were selected as Virgil Abloh ‘Post-Modern’ Scholars. The scholarship fund was created in 2020 by the late Virgil Abloh (1980-2021), creator of Off-White and the artistic director of Louis Vuitton men’s wear, 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.
Starting in 2025, every ‘Post-Modern’ Scholar will receive at least $10,000 in college scholarship support and will participate in career-focused educational and professional development classes, network opportunities and talent acquisition events throughout the year, according FSF’s website. Additionally, at least 60 ‘Post-Modern’ Scholar will be selected each year.
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.
To learn more about each student and view their impressive case studies, please visit fashionscholarshipfund.org.