VIRGIL ABLOH CREATES HIS OWN SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO HELP BLACK FASHION STUDENTS
Designer Virgil Abloh announced today that he has raised $1 million to benefit scholarships for Black students through the Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, which will be managed in partnership with the Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF).
The Abloh Fund’s mission is to foster equity and inclusion within the fashion industry by providing scholarships to students of academic promise of Black, African-American, or African descent. Abloh named the fund “Post Modern” to represent that recipients will not only receive funds, but will also be given access to vital career support services and mentoring. In addition to his own donation, Abloh raised funds from his partners Evian, Farfetch, Louis Vuitton, and New Guards Group, with more partners to be announced in the future as the Fund continues to work for long-term change.
In connection with the launch of the Fund, Abloh has entered into a long-term partnership with FSF to help enhance their internship, mentorship, and networking offerings.
“I’ve always been passionate about giving the next generation of students the same foundation for success that was given to me,” said Abloh. “That’s why I’m excited to launch this Fund in partnership with the FSF, which has an outstanding track record of helping college students achieve successful careers.” He continued, “I’m also grateful to my partners for their donations, which are just a part of the long-term commitments I am working on with them to create greater opportunities for Black people inside and outside of their organizations.”
Founded in 1937, the Fashion Scholarship Fund supports the careers of the country’s most promising fashion students from all backgrounds. It awards over $1 million each year to help students succeed in all sectors of the industry: design, merchandising, analytics, marketing, and supply chain, among others. The FSF also provides scholars with coveted internship and career opportunities, mentorships, networking, and access to the industry’s most influential leaders and companies.
“At the heart of the FSF’s mission is elevating the voices and creative visions of talented youth from underrepresented backgrounds who are the future leaders of our industry,” added Peter Arnold, executive director of FSF. “Virgil is a trailblazer and a game-changer, leveraging his considerable influence to effect change from within. We are grateful to have this opportunity to partner with him and his partners to impact the lives of so many deserving young people.”