Interested in building your resume and expanding your network in the fashion industry?
The Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) is a national case competition which awards over $1.3 million in student scholarships, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for students aspiring to gain experience in fashion. University of Wisconsin-Madison students are among the winners of this $5,000+ scholarship competition every year!
See University of Wisconsin-Madison Feature Article on March 21, 2018: Trend-setters: Badgers win big (again and again) in national fashion and design competition
Hear Textiles and Fashion Design Senior, Adina Barrientos talk about her winning Fashion Scholarship Fund experience with Wisconsin Public Radio on April 5, 2018: UW Senior Wins Award at National Fashion Competition
1. Scholarship
- Win $5,000-$35,000 in scholarship funds
- Winners of the competition will also receive a travel stipend to the Fashion Scholarship Fund Gala and exclusive career fair in NYC this Janurary 2019
Alumni Testimonial: Megan Donovan
Megan Donovan is a 2016 graduate of the Retailing and Consumer Behavior program at UW-Madison. She is currently working for Macy's in NYC!
2. Professional Development
Winners will have access to internship opportunities through FSF partner companies, summer networking in NYC, and mentorship!
Student Testimonial: Randi Armstrong
Randi is currently a Junior majoring in Retailing & Consumer Behavior. From a connection at the Fashion Scholarship Fund career fair, Randi got an internship in the buying office at Burlington Stores!
3. Professional Network
Winners are eligible to join the FSF Alumni Association to grow their professional network.
Student Testimonial: Brian Lucksinger
Brian is a Senior studying Marketing and Management at the Wisconsin School of Business. He has won the FSF scholarship competition twice during his time at UW!
Requirements to participate
- Must be freshman through seniors, enrolled full-time during the Fall 2018- Spring 2019 academic year (If seniors wish to compete, they must not have a graduation date earlier than Spring 2019)
- Overall G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in a 4.0 G.P.A. system (official transcript to be submitted)
- No restriction on repeat winners
- Passionate about the fashion industry, no matter your major!
What is the case study topic this year?
GLOBALIZATION OF FASHION
BACKGROUND: International expansion within retail has become increasingly prominent as companies look to grow by expanding their marketplaces in other countries. Digital platforms are changing the economics of doing business across borders, bringing down the cost of international interactions and transactions.
- In this year’s case, you will explore opportunities for a fashion company to expand in the global market
- You will complete this objective through one lens that aligns with your major and/or career aspirations: design, merchandising, analytics or supply chain
Timeline
- April 17th | Kickoff Meeting at Memorial Union (TITU) 4:30pm
- April 23rd | Students commit to representing the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Fashion Scholarship Fund competition by this date
- April 23rd - May 18th | Competitors meet with faculty team member to pitch their idea
- Late April/May | Competitors assigned an alumni mentor
- Over the summer | Work on case and touch base with mentor and faculty regularly
- August 22nd - September 7th | Competitors pitch final drafts to faculty team
- September 7th - October 1st | Competitors refine final case
- October 1st | Submission deadline
Attend the competition Kickoff!
Come to the Fashion Scholarship Fund Competition kickoff, April 17th at 4:30pm in Memorial Union (TITU), to hear more about the competition, meet a fashion industry executive, and engage with students and alumni who have competed and won! Students will be expected to commit to participating by April 23rd, 2018. Email retail@sohe.wisc.edu with questions or concerns.
Credits:
Created with images by StartupStockPhotos - "student typing keyboard text woman startup business"