Apparel students travel to New York to receive prestigious award

As most IU undergraduates enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving break in 2006, six students from the Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design’s Retail Studies Group had a different agenda. With hopes of one day representing the next generation of retail and fashion leaders, these students put together applications and personal statements, along with portfolios they thought best represented their individual talents.\nIU students Christina Bires, Callie Blyze, Kelsea Foist, Katelyn Rodgers, Erica Satterthwaite and Jessica Sheehan entered what they expected to result in recognition in an internal contest. However, one year later, the group left Bloomington and headed to the Big Apple to attend one of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious scholarship programs for university students majoring in fashion-related fields.\nThe IU students were among 91 undergraduates from universities nationwide to be honored at the Geoffrey Beene Scholarship Dinner at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel Jan. 9, according to an IU press release. There, icons such as Kenneth Cole inspired the students to strive to their greatest potential. The event is sponsored each year by the YMA Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization that supports future fashion industry leaders through scholarships, mentoring and internship programs. \n“We were all awarded a $5,000 scholarship at the dinner,” Sheehan said. “However, it is evident that the opportunities that were presented to us because of the dinner have far more than just a monetary value.”\nBlyze said the scholarship is a great opportunity for students to network. \n“Before the actual event, the organization actually helped us get in touch with internships in New York that are really hard to get,” she said. “Then when you attend the dinner you have a mentor, typically a CEO or president of a company. One person at my table was an executive head hunter who worked for Fossil. It just proves they do have a lot of influence in the retail industry.”\nAlthough the students traveled far, they did not travel alone. \n“Professor Eloise Paul and I attended the YMA event in January to represent IU and provide support for our students,” said professor Kate Rowold, director of the department’s Retail Studies and Fashion Design Culture academic groups. “However, we were really just there to honor the students and represent our department with industry leaders. The students spent the evening meeting, chatting and dining with hundreds of fashion industry representatives, making connections and discussing mentoring and internship opportunities. It was an exciting and educational event.”\nWhen asked to state the one thing the program has most significantly given to recipients, Blyze’s answer was simple. \n“Opportunity,” she replied. “It didn’t give me a job, but it definitely helped me in numerous ways. I built confidence and it opened other doors to endless possibilities.”\nSheehan said her dream is to be in a fast-paced, high-fashion, ever-changing atmosphere. \n“I’m going to Fashion Week this Thursday and I am going to work for Project Runway this Friday!” she said. “All of this would have never happened without the contacts I built from this experience.”\nRowold said students once again applied for the YMA scholarship this past fall. \n“The winners have not yet been selected by the YMA board and should be announced in the next month or so,” she said. “We are hopeful that IU students will again be among the winners.”