FIT’s Future Fashion Innovators

Of the 25 Black school students selected to attend pre-college programs this summer, 7 will attend FIT. Situated in the heart of New York City, FIT's pre-college program offers 10-day classes catering to students in grades 9-12. Taught by FIT professors, many of whom are industry professionals and FIT alumni, the curriculum focuses on Accessory Design, Fashion Design (both sewing and art-based), Fashion Business, and Portfolio Development.

The 7 students selected to attend FIT range from 10th-12th grade, coming from various artistic backgrounds.

CWC Fellow Gabriel 

Gabriel is a driven and talented 12th-grader from New York with a passion for expressing ideas through his creative endeavors. With a focus on studio art, drawing, painting, and 3-D design, Gabriel has dedicated himself to exploring various mediums and techniques to bring his visions to life. 

Throughout high school, Gabriel has immersed himself in art classes, including AP Studio Art 3-D Design. As a National Art Honors Society member and co-president of the Fashion Club, he demonstrates leadership and a commitment to his artistic community.

Gabriel's artistic pursuits extend beyond traditional mediums, he has delved into 3D design using programs like CLO-3D, Zbrush, Maya, and Blender. His interest in wearable sculptures and pushing the boundaries of contemporary wear reflects his innovative approach to art and design. 

Gabriel is determined to become a creative director, leveraging his experiences and skills to make an impact in the fashion industry. We can’t wait to see how FIT’s pre-college program enhances his designs. 

CWC Fellow Gianna 

Gianna is a driven 12th-grader from Maryland with a passion for fashion design and a flair for creativity. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to her academic studies and extracurricular pursuits. 

Gianna's interest in fashion design stems from her fascination with the construction and creativity in creating garments. She specializes in sustainable luxury and streetwear clothing, drawing inspiration from various sources. She enjoys visualizing her designs and experimenting with eccentric fabrics and colors, such as tulle, sequins, prints, and denim. 

Her goal is to have a fashion brand, she believes that CWC will provide her with the skills and connections necessary to achieve her goals. Gianna will be attending FIT pre-college this summer!

CWC Fellow Laila

Laila is a 10th-grader from New York. She has a passion for creativity and self-expression and has an appreciation for the artistry behind clothing and accessories.

What truly drives Laila is her fascination with storytelling through fashion. Inspired by her grandparents' experiences in the 1940s and their defiance of racial stereotypes through clothing, she sees fashion as a powerful tool for self-expression and cultural commentary.

Laila has honed her craft through Portfolio Development, Ceramics, and Jewelry Design classes while staying on the Honor Roll and Principal's Honor Roll.

With a passion for makeup artistry, jewelry design, and haute couture, Laila is determined to turn one of these creative outlets into her career. We are excited to see how Laila uses FIT’s pre-college program to enhance her designs. 

CWC Fellow Palmares

Palmares is an 11th-grader from New York with a deep-seated passion for fashion design, fueled by her experiences and creative endeavors. 

Palmares immersed herself in art and design classes throughout middle and high school. Courses like Fundamentals of Design and Costuming, Fundamentals of Pattern Design, and sewing classes at Sewho Sewing Studio have equipped her with technical skills and a strong foundation in garment construction.

Her experiences as a Youth Insights Artist with the Whitney Museum and volunteering with organizations like Pillows for Paws and Pueblo Ingles have further enriched her creative journey and strengthened her commitment to community engagement.

Palmares emphasizes her diverse interests and interdisciplinary approach to creativity. While fashion remains her primary focus, she draws inspiration from her experiences in music, writing, and photography, viewing each discipline as a lens through which to effect change and foster connection. We look forward to Palmares’s journey at FIT pre-college this summer.

CWC Fellow Savannah

Savannah is a 10th-grader from New York with a creative spirit and a passion for fashion design and artistic expression. 

In high school Savannah delved into the world of art, exploring painting, mixed media, and visual art, while also venturing into fashion-related classes such as sewing, black representation in fashion, and the life of a fashion designer.

Fashion design captivates Savannah due to its ability to blend creativity with functionality, allowing individuals to express themselves through wearable art. Inspired by her middle school art teacher, Lady Smalls, Savannah has honed her skills and gained confidence through practice and guidance. She sees fashion as a means of self-expression and a way to make a meaningful impact.

While attending FIT this summer Savannah hopes to enhance her creative skills while cultivating traits such as perseverance and adaptability.

CWC Fellow Shawnay

Shawnay is a driven 10th-grader from New York with a passion for fashion design that permeates every aspect of her life. 

Shawnay's interests in fashion began with a series of art and design classes in school, including fashion design and construction, design illustration, and fashion computer art. Despite not taking any art classes outside of school, her dedication to her craft shines through in her extracurricular activities and volunteer work.

Shawnay is actively involved in her community. She is in the guitar club, tends to a community garden, and volunteers, teaching financial literacy, equity, and emotions classes at Girls Inc.

What interests Shawnay most about fashion design is the opportunity to create unique garments that exude boldness and confidence. She finds inspiration in music, using its ability to evoke complex emotions to guide her designs. Shawnay sees fashion as a means of self-expression and empowerment.

Shawnay recognizes the importance of networking in the fashion industry and hopes to improve this skill during her time at FIT this summer.

CWC Fellow Shylah

Shylah is an enthusiastic 10th grader from New York, driven by a deep passion for fashion design. 

Shylah’s journey into fashion began with a series of art and design classes in school, where she cultivated her skills in fashion illustration, digital fashion illustration, garment construction, and draping and pattern-making.

What interests Shylah most about fashion design is its ability to allow self-expression and creativity. She finds inspiration in color and its versatility, using it as a guiding force in her design process. Shylah is committed to her craft and spends her free time designing, digitally and traditionally, and researching various aspects of the fashion industry.

Shylah loves learning and sharing her interests with others. She approaches each day with enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge, eager to explore new opportunities and challenges. We are excited to see how she uses FIT lessons to her advantage.

The future of fashion design looks bright with these talented and passionate individuals embarking on their journey at FIT's pre-college program. As they immerse themselves in FIT’s curriculum and opportunities, we anticipate seeing their designs flourish and their skills sharpened.