Seven Columbia College Chicago Students Earn National Fashion Scholarship

PhotoL-R: Olivia Byam, Ishie Kelsaw-Fletcher, Shamya Banks, Emonie Coleman, Sassy Dougherty, Tiffany Barney, Neelofar Syed
Seven students have been named Fashion Scholarship Fund Class of 2025 Scholars and will be honored at the FSF LIVE Gala in New York City.

Seven Columbia College Chicago students have been named Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) Class of 2025 Scholars, joining a prestigious national cohort of emerging fashion leaders. This year's exceptional cohort includes five first-time recipients, one two-time recipient, and one three-time recipient of the $10,000 scholarship, along with four distinguished Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholars, dedicated to fostering equity and inclusion in the fashion industry. They will be honored at the FSF LIVE Gala in New York City on April 7, 2025, for their groundbreaking case studies exploring the intersection of fashion and technology through AI and AR applications in design and merchandising. 

This highly competitive honor recognizes students who tackled real-world industry challenges with fresh perspectives. Their projects extend beyond traditional fashion applications, leveraging artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and digital merchandising tools to push the boundaries of design and retail. 

Innovation at the Intersection of Fashion and Technology  

Fashion Merchandising senior Tiffany Barney, a three-time Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern" Scholar, drew inspiration from the 2024 Summer Olympics for her case study. Barney was also named a Ralph Lauren Corporation x FSF Scholarship recipient.  

“This year’s Olympics was filled with jewelry as self-expression for athletes,” says Barney. “From grillz to chains, the athletes were glowing. I wanted younger and non-professional athletes to be able to glow the same at a more entry-level price. I leveraged data technology software to better silo New Balance's data, ensuring seamless integration of this new merchandising assortment plan.” 

Fashion Design senior Olivia Byam, a two-time FSF Scholar, focused on WNBA uniforms, aiming to design functional, empowering attire that evolves with the sport’s growing visibility. 

“As women’s basketball continues to gain recognition, I believe uniforms should evolve with the athletes,” Byam explains. “My designs enhance performance, fit, and confidence on the court. I incorporated AI through OpenPose, a body-tracking program that helped me analyze how the uniform interacts with movement.” 

First-time FSF Scholar Sassy Dougherty (Fashion Merchandising) developed a case study addressing an opportunity for DICK’S Sporting Goods to expand its footwear offerings with adaptive and single shoes. 

“Single Shoe will use DICK’S AI database to support the introduction of 24 single-shoe styles,” Dougherty says. “Their AI-based software predicts customer behavior, optimizing the digital funnel and personalizing engagement through emails, creating an enhanced shopping experience.” 

Dougherty also credited Columbia’s collaborative learning environment for helping refine her ideas. 

“It helped me get the ball rolling and gain feedback from other students,” she says. “Shout out to FSF winner Ishie Fletcher—we workshopped our projects together. (Associate professor) Dana Connell played a significant role in strengthening my submission, challenging me to become a better student.” 

Real-World Projects with Industry Impact 

Columbia’s participation in FSF is structured as a spring semester course, providing students with mentorship, collaboration, and critical feedback to develop their strongest work. This year, 11 students submitted projects, and seven were named winners, reflecting Columbia’s commitment to innovation and problem-solving in fashion, merchandising, and retail. 

FSF will award over $1.9 million in scholarships to 190+ students nationwide, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Of the 2025 Scholars:

  • 66% identify as BIPOC
  • 14% are first-generation college students 
  • 36% are Pell Grant-eligible  

These numbers highlight FSF’s dedication to fostering diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the fashion industry. 

Winners will be recognized at the FSF LIVE Gala on April 7, 2025, in New York City, where their work will be showcased to industry leaders, sponsors, and fellow scholars. 

By earning a place among the Fashion Scholarship Fund Class of 2025 Scholars, these Columbia College Chicago students continue to lead the future of fashion, blending technology, creativity, and purpose to drive meaningful change in the industry. 

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