Fashion students receive scholarships, internship opportunities

Fashion students receive scholarships, internship opportunities

In partnership with fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund recently hosted an Intern Social to honor and welcome this year's beneficiaries.

The event was held last Tuesday at the Tommy Hilfiger flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The 56 honorees, who are all seeking undergraduate degrees in fashion at campus-based and online schools, were greeted by representatives from the financial aid initiative and Hilfiger himself.

Each awardee recevied a $5,000 grant to cover their expenses this summer, when they will live and work in the city for designers, retailers and fashion researchers. This year, Tommy Hilfiger, Zac Posen, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Ross Stores, Macy's, Phillips-Van Heusen and The Doneger Group are offering internships to program participants.

This opportunity is intended to enable budding fashion professionals to "hold a mirror up to themselves and to the industry to see how they're going to become a part of it," said Ken Wyse, president of the scholarship fund.

Since its inception 39 years ago, the program has provided more than $6 million in financial aid to more than 700 students.

By Stefanie Hughes