YMA FSF TO LAUD BAXTER AND WURTZBURGER

Although the prizes won’t be formally distributed until January, the names of the winners at the next YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards Dinner have been announced and include Tim Baxter of Macy’s and Peerless Clothing’s Ronny Wurtzburger.

The YMA FSF, a non-profit organization that promotes education in the fashion arts and business by awarding scholarships, will honor Baxter, Macy’s chief merchandising officer, as Retailer of the Year and Wurtzburger, Peerless Clothing’s president, as Wholesaler of the Year. It will also hand out a Future of Fashion Award at the dinner to singer and entrepreneur Jessica Simpson and more than $1 million in scholarships to fashion students at colleges and universities nationwide. These recipients will include 161 YMA FSF students (each will get $5,000) and eight Geoffrey Beene National Scholar finalists (four winners will receive $30,000 each while the remaining four will be awarded $10,000).

“The YMA FSF is thrilled to toast these preeminent leaders and honor them with much-deserved recognitions for their contributions to the fashion industry,” said Doug Evans, executive director of the YMA FSF in a released statement. “Every year, we marvel at the success of this program and it would not be possible without the support of these individuals and their respective organizations. It is because of them that we expect another landmark year for the scholars.”

The gala event, the organization’s 79th, will take place at the Marriott Marquis in New York on January 12, 2016.

YMA FSF has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships since it began in 1937.

Additionally, Baxter and Wurtzberger, together with Peter Sachse, Macy’s chief for innovation and business development, will host a Breakfast with The Boss event at Macy’s next Thursday where they will speak to 20 YMA FSF scholars.