2016 YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1937, The YMA Fashion Scholarship fund is an international non-profit organization composed of influential members of the fashion industry. The Fashion Scholarship Fund’s goal is to advance the fashion industry by encouraging gifted and enterprising young people to pursue careers in design, merchandising, retailing and business so the industry will continue to attract dedicated, capable and creative individuals. Click here for an overview of the YMA and what to expect during the application process. Students can also view short video providing highlights of the YMA FSF Gala and other befits of the program here.
We regard our scholarship grants as a very worthwhile investment in the future of the fashion industry and, since inception, have awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to thousands of students worldwide. Record donations of over $20 million have been received in the past ten years, including a $1 million gift from the Estate of Geoffrey Beene and over $5 million in donation from the Geoffrey Beene Foundation to underwrite scholarships and enable naming rights of our annual dinner.
Now, in addition to the approximately one hundred $5,000 scholarships we award annually, an additional four outstanding Geoffrey Beene Scholars will receive $30,000 scholarships to pursue their education and career goals, while four finalists will receive $10,000. In addition to generous contributions from benefactors and sponsors, 100% of net proceeds from the annual YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards Dinner goes directly to our programs. This is thanks to the generosity of the Board of Governors, who volunteer their time to ensure that all funds raised go where they are needed most: to the students.
As further support to its scholars, we facilitate internships with prestigious fashion companies and provide career mentoring by prominent senior executives who serve on our Board of Governors. Participating companies have included Calvin Klein, Global Brands Group, Nautica, Phillip Van Heusen, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, Fishman & Tobin, Ross Stores, Ralph Lauren, Macy's, The Men's Wearhouse, Perry Ellis, Bloomingdales, Levi Strauss & Co., Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger to name just a few.
Brandeis Students:
Students are encouraged to work with faculty on the preparation of their case studies. Students are welcome to work with any faculty member; however the following faculty members have offered themselves as a resource to YMA applicants on the case study component of the scholarship application. These professors are listed below. Please reach out to these faculty for guidance on the preparation of your case.
Faculty Committee:
• Professor Alice Kelikian, Chair - kelikian@brandeis.edu
• Professor Jane Ebert - jebert@brandeis.edu
• Professor Tory Fair - fair@brandeis.edu
• Professor Maura Jane Farrelly - farrelly@brandeis.edu
• Professor Grace E. Zimmerman - gzimmerm@brandeis.edu
Brandeis now has 13 student scholarship recipients and our students have been an incredibly successful in their pursuits of the YMA FSF. Brandeis
had three students recipients in 2009/10, four student recipients in
2010/11, two students in 2011/12, and two students in 2013/14; and two
students in 2014/15.
We regard our scholarship grants as a very worthwhile investment in the future of the fashion industry and, since inception, have awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to thousands of students worldwide. Record donations of over $20 million have been received in the past ten years, including a $1 million gift from the Estate of Geoffrey Beene and over $5 million in donation from the Geoffrey Beene Foundation to underwrite scholarships and enable naming rights of our annual dinner.
Now, in addition to the approximately one hundred $5,000 scholarships we award annually, an additional four outstanding Geoffrey Beene Scholars will receive $30,000 scholarships to pursue their education and career goals, while four finalists will receive $10,000. In addition to generous contributions from benefactors and sponsors, 100% of net proceeds from the annual YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards Dinner goes directly to our programs. This is thanks to the generosity of the Board of Governors, who volunteer their time to ensure that all funds raised go where they are needed most: to the students.
As further support to its scholars, we facilitate internships with prestigious fashion companies and provide career mentoring by prominent senior executives who serve on our Board of Governors. Participating companies have included Calvin Klein, Global Brands Group, Nautica, Phillip Van Heusen, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, Fishman & Tobin, Ross Stores, Ralph Lauren, Macy's, The Men's Wearhouse, Perry Ellis, Bloomingdales, Levi Strauss & Co., Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger to name just a few.
Brandeis Students:
Students are encouraged to work with faculty on the preparation of their case studies. Students are welcome to work with any faculty member; however the following faculty members have offered themselves as a resource to YMA applicants on the case study component of the scholarship application. These professors are listed below. Please reach out to these faculty for guidance on the preparation of your case.
Faculty Committee:
• Professor Alice Kelikian, Chair - kelikian@brandeis.edu
• Professor Jane Ebert - jebert@brandeis.edu
• Professor Tory Fair - fair@brandeis.edu
• Professor Maura Jane Farrelly - farrelly@brandeis.edu
• Professor Grace E. Zimmerman - gzimmerm@brandeis.edu