FIT Students Win Scholarships From CFDA

Three Fashion Design students from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) competed against students from 16 of the nation’s leading design colleges and universities to win prestigious awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Jusil Carroll received the $25,000 Liz Claiborne Fashion Scholarship, and Elin Johansson won a $5,000 CFDA Scholarship. Carroll also received Honorable Mention in the CDFA Scholarship category, as did Na’ama Doktofsky. The announcement was made at the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards ceremony held in New York City on June 7.

The Liz Claiborne Fashion Scholarship awarded to Carroll was established in 2008 by Claiborne’s husband and business partner, Art Ortenberg, to help identify a women’s wear design student who best addresses the lifestyle and needs of today’s woman. Carroll, who is specializing in knitwear, was asked to submit 10-15 full-color illustrated looks that represent contemporary American sportswear but are based on Claiborne’s core design principles. 

The selection committee included Andrew Rosen, president and COO, Theory; Van Lupu, professor, fashion design, Pratt Institute; and CFDA members Dana Buchman, Norma Kamali, Charles Nolan, and Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava.

The CFDA Scholarship presented to Johansson was created in 1996 for students in their junior year of college at four-year, full-time fashion design programs. Johansson, who is specializing in sportswear, submitted a portfolio of original apparel designs to a selection committee that included CFDA members John Anthony, Miranda Morrison of Sigerson Morrison, Jeff Halmos and Sam Shipley of Shipley~Halmos, Charlotte Neuville, and Italo Zucchelli, men’s creative director, Calvin Klein Collection.

About the CFDA

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1962 whose membership consists of more than 350 of America's foremost fashion and accessory designers. CFDA membership is by invitation only. CFDA Foundation, Inc., a separate not-for-profit company, was organized to raise funds for charity and industry activities. Visit www.cfda.com.

About FIT

FIT’s Fashion Design program was established in 1944, the year the college was founded. The associate degree program gives students an essential foundation for creating apparel from sketch to finished garment. In the baccalaureate program, students receive advanced instruction in specialized areas, including sportswear, knitwear, children's wear, intimate apparel, and special occasion. Fourth-year students work alongside acclaimed industry critics who serve as judges for a year-end, professionally produced fashion show. FIT alumni include Ralph Rucci, Calvin Klein, Norma Kamali, Francisco Costa, Amsale Aberra, Reem Acra, Stephen Burrows, and Nanette Lepore.

FIT, a leader in career-oriented education, is a selective college of art and design, business and technology of the State University of New York (SUNY), with 46 majors leading to the AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees. The college serves more than 10,000 students and offers courses in a wide range of fields.