ASU FIDM secures 10 prestigious Fashion Scholarship Fund awards, among highest nationwide
ASU FIDM Fashion Scholarship Fund winners include (l-r): Julie Anstadt-Hernandez, Kathryn Scherberies, Kyndahl Williams, Erin Hildick, Alexandra Lambrinos, Kaitlyn Tracy, Fiona Otto, Zoe Omtvedt, Bryce Propst and Brielle Cohen. Photo by Camille Misty.
ASU FIDM has emerged as a powerhouse in the 2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) competition, securing 10 coveted scholarships and establishing itself as the second-most awarded institution nationwide. The school's exceptional showing includes six first-time and two-repeat $10,000 scholarship recipients and two distinguished Virgil Abloh™ "Post-Modern" Scholars, which fosters equity and inclusion within the fashion industry.
The Fashion Scholarship Fund is a national nonprofit association dedicated to supporting, nurturing and honoring the future of fashion, awarding over $1.4 million each year in scholarships to help students succeed in all sectors of the industry including design and product development, merchandising, marketing and business strategy.
Senior Kaitlyn Tracy, junior Fiona Otto and sophomore Bryce Propst were awarded for their submissions in the fashion design category. Seniors Julie Anstadt-Hernandez, Kathryn Scherberies and Alexandra Lambrinos won for their merchandising concepts. Lambrinos was also named as the sole recipient of the JCPenney x FSF Scholarship. Juniors Kyndahl Williams and Brielle Cohen were successful in fashion marketing, and seniors Erin Hildick and Zoe Omtvedt were each awarded the prestigious scholarship for their business strategy case studies. Adding to the program's acclaim, Fiona Otto and Kyndahl Williams were honored as Virgil Abloh™ "Post-Modern" Scholars, further cementing ASU's position among fashion education's elite.
"This remarkable achievement reflects not only the individual excellence of our scholars but the collective strength of our program," said Danielle Sponder-Testa, assistant professor at ASU FIDM and Fashion Scholarship Fund Case Study Author. "With a 40% success rate among our applicants, our students have demonstrated exceptional capability in an increasingly competitive landscape."
The winners will join fellow scholars at an exclusive gala in New York City this April, where they'll connect with industry luminaries and fashion houses. Beyond the substantial financial awards totaling $100,000, these scholarships open doors to coveted internships and networking opportunities with leading global fashion brands and retailers.
This year's FSF competition saw record-breaking participation, with 671 case study submissions from 90 schools nationwide. ASU's impressive showing placed them second among participating schools, outperforming numerous established fashion programs across the country.
Story by Lauryn Wasill.