2021-2022 Student Award Winners

IHG US Open Tennis Ball Dress Student Design Contest 

Sponsor:  IHG Hotels & Resorts
Challenge: FIT students from Fashion Design Program were challenged to design a tennis ball dress which would incorporate tennis balls/ tennis ball material, be wearable by a model, and embraced the IHG and US Open tennis tournament brand.
Participants: Open to all 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th semester Fashion Design Students.
Outcome: 1st place: Hailey Germano (Fashion Design BFA); 2nd place: Yoojin Lee (Fashion Design BFA); 3rd Place: Jingyi Xu (Fashion Design BFA).
Contact: Fashion Design Professor Michael Kaye ([email protected]). 
Articles: WILSON, IHG HOTELS & RESORTS & FIT STUDENTS CELEBRATE THE US OPEN WITH BALL GOWNS MADE OF TENNIS BALLS

2022 Macy's Flower Show Student Design Contest

Sponsor: Macy's
Challenge: FIT students from Fashion Design Program were challenged to design a garment that embodies the spirit of this year’s Macy's Flower Show of light and bright colors.
Participants: Open to all 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th semester Fashion Design Students.
Outcome: Grand Prize Winner: Jiwon Park (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Special Occasion) ;  Podium Winners: Ashley McLeod (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Special Occasion), Jacob Caraccilo (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Sporswear), Katty Liang Feng (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Special Occasion), Larglinda Ilazi (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Special Occasion), Yoojin Lee (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Special Occasion).
Contact: Fashion Design Professor Michael Kaye ([email protected]). 
Articles: Fashion Design Students Capture the Joy of Spring at the Macy’s Flower Show, Macy's Flower Show set to dazzle visitors with more than 15,000 flowers, Macy's Flower Show 2022 New York City Student Fashion Designers, Annual Macy's flower show begins, Macy’s Flower Show 2022 Opens March 27th!, Macy’s Flower Show in full bloom at Herald Square, FIT graduates’ works won prizes for NYC’s Macy’s Flower Show

Stella & Dot Style Forward Student Design Contest

Sponsor: Stella & Dot
Challenge: Create a jewelry collection that’s not only gorgeous and unique, but will ultimately help Stella & Dot in their purpose to help women rise! 
Participants: Open to all FIT students.
Outcome: 1st place: Lisbeth Abreu (Fashion Design BFA); 2nd place: Liesl Wiedmann (Entrepreneurship for the Fashion and Design Industries BS); 3rd place: Lane Markulics  (Jewelry Design AAS).
Contact: Fashion Design Professor Nicole Benefield ([email protected]).
Articles: Stella & Dot Collaborate with Fit to Launch a Student Designed Limited Edition Capsule Collection 

MF531A (A Fashion in Trans-form-lation: Special Topics)

Sponsor: CFDA
Challenge: This year students taking the class will participate in CFDA Geoffrey Beene Design Masters Scholar Award (The Geoffrey Beene Design Masters Scholar Award is a $25,000 Scholarship Award for Graduate students pursuing an MFA/ MA in fashion design. In honor of the legacy of American design iconoclast, Geoffrey Beene, the scholarship invites students to challenge conventional codes of dressing the body by exploring 360 shape + form, materiality, and innovation. Established in 2007, the scholarship is generously underwritten by the Geoffrey Beene Foundation’s $2.5 million donation) which is being offered as part of the class curriculum.
Participants: All students enrolled in MF531A (A Fashion in Trans-form-lation : Special Topics) course.
Outcome: FIT Finalists: Kuai Li (Fashion Design MFA), Valeria Watson (Fashion Design MFA), Yimeng Zhao (Fashion Design MFA); FIT Semi-Finalists: Lilach Porges (Fashion Design MFA), Morgan Cardwell (Fashion Design MFA), Zhendong Wen (Fashion Design MFA).
Contact: MFA Fashion Design Professor Vasilija Zivanic ([email protected]).

PPA 2022 Student Design Challenge for PK343-Explorations in 3D

Sponsor: Paperboard Packaging Alliance
Challenge: Design new paperboard packaging and packaging components for an existing product that is currently packaged primarily in plastic.
Outcome: FIT Finalists: PK Mafia - Analucia Parham Santana (Packaging Design BFA), Jessica Campos (Packaging Design BFA), Nova Lam (Packaging Design BFA), Victor Shin (Packaging Design BFA); The Clean Team - Alexandra Wallace (Packaging Design BFA), Kyle Thomas (Packaging Design BFA), Roy Cooley (Packaging Design BFA), Therese Becker (Packaging Design BFA).
Contact: Packaging Design Professor Adam Straus ([email protected]).
Articles: 2022 Design Challenge

NYSR Student Design Rendering Contest

Sponsor: New York Society of Renderers
Challenge: Submit a rendering (any media, hybrid or hand) that best ​promotes technical excellence and creativity of student's designs.​ 
Participants: FIT AAS students actively enrolled in the Interior Design program during the spring 2022 academic semester.
Outcome: 1st place: Victoria McMillan  (Interior Design AAS); 2nd place: Catherine Gabriel (Interior Design AAS); 3rd Place: Mark Santiago (Interior Design AAS); Honorable Mention: Meghan Barnes (Interior Design AAS).
Contact: Interior Design Professor Sven Johnson ([email protected]).

AD 497 (Advertising Student Competition Course)

Sponsors: The One Club for Creativity
Challenge: The Young Ones Brief competition tasked students with creating work for different types of clients.
Participants: Open to national and international college students who are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate college program, or other program approved by The One Club's Education Department
Outcome: Gold Pencil Award (The Big Bang & Olufsen / Client Brief: Bang & Olufsen) - Gianelle Leger (Advertising & Digital Design BFA);  Bronze Pencil Award (Tourdash / Client Brief: DoorDash) - Astghik Vardanyan (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Jane Hoffman (Advertising & Digital Design BFA); Bronze Pencil Award (Warzone Blood Bank / Client Brief: Activision Blizzard) - Brandon Murillo (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Cailey McKenna (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Michael Chimenti (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Osvaldo Aguilar (Advertising & Digital Design BFA);  ADC Silver Cube Award (Listen to Harlem / Client Brief: Harlem / Motion / Film Craft: Cinematography) - Alice Garsia (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Brandon Murillo (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Seamus Deegan (Advertising & Digital Design BFA);  ADC Bronze Cube Award (Listen to Harlem / Client Brief: Harlem / Motion / Film Craft: Cinematography) - Alice Garsia (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Brandon Murillo (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Seamus Deegan (Advertising & Digital Design BFA);  ADC Merit Award (Fenty Beauty For All / Client Brief: Fenty Beauty / Advertising / Out of Home: Poster) - Cindy Wu (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Dorothy Wann (Advertising & Digital Design BFA).
Contact: Communication Design Pathways Professor Joseph (Joe) Staluppi ([email protected]) or Communication Design Pathways Professor Ronald (Ron) Bacsa ([email protected]).
Articles: THE YOUNG ONES 2022 WINNERS,  Advertising and Digital Design Program Ranked No. 3 in the World, Young Ones Student Awards

D&AD New Blood Awards 2022

Sponsor: Design & Art Direction-Global Association for Creative Advertising & Design Awards
Challenge: Over 16 different challenges and briefs from industry and world renown corporations.
Participants: Open worldwide to all full time students or recent graduates.
Outcome: D&AD New Blood Wood Pencil Award – Tagged with Kindness - Jerome Salac (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Natalie Betances (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Ninoska Lugo (Advertising & Digital Design BFA); D&AD New Blood Wood Pencil Award – A Type Of Refugee - Harry Lin (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Kate Ma (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Marisa Sorto (Advertising & Digital Design BFA); D&AD New Blood Yellow Pencil Award – BBC Pal - Yoojin Song (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Bokyung Won (School of Visual Arts), Jeonghoon Lee (Virginia Commonwealth University).
Contact: Communication Design Pathways Professor Joseph (Joe) Staluppi ([email protected]) or Communication Design Pathways Professor Ronald (Ron) Bacsa ([email protected]).
Articles: New Blood Festival 2022, D&AD Awards 2022, D&AD Awards Winners 2022

2022 CFDA FASHION AWARDS

Sponsor: CFDA
Challenge: Digital portfolio submissions that contain a collection and all phases of design development. Consider clarity and strength of vision, identity, creatively, and acumen. The portfolio is encouraged to holistically consider all aspects of research, process, presentation, content, and visual narrative.
Participants: All undergraduate juniors and first-year graduate students graduating in 2023 who are enrolled in a fashion design program at an American college/ university.
Outcome: 2022 CFDA  Scholarship by  Häagen-Dazs ($25,000): Heejin Hwang  (Fashion Design BFA); CFDA Coach Dream It Real Design Scholarship Award: ​Andrea Cordova (Fashion Design BFA), Blake DeWitt (Fashion Design BFA),  Dylan Unzicker-Krone (Fashion Design BFA),  Keanu Williams (Fashion Design BFA),  Ping Edmunds (Fashion Design BFA).
Contact: Fashion Design Chairperson Mary Wilson ([email protected]).
Articles: INTRODUCING THE 2022 RECIPIENTS OF CFDA SCHOLARSHIPS, CFDA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS, CFDA names 2022 scholarship recipients, CFDA Reveals 2022 CFDA Scholar Award Recipients, CFDA Announces 2022 CFDA Scholar Award Winners

Ceeze Bespoke Shoes Bootcamp

Sponsor:  Ceeze
Challenge: Ceeze partnered with FIT on a three day intensive bespoke shoemaking bootcamp for FIT students who are enrolled in the Footwear and Accessories Design Program. 
Participants: Undergraduate students at FIT's Footwear and Accessories Design Program
Outcome: 8 students were chosen to participate: ​​Andrew Kaefer (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Christopher Quiros (Footwear and Accessories Design BFA); Hyeon Ji Yun (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Japneet Kaur (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Jefferson Linares (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Priscilla Ghaznavi (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Rajvi Rao (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Rishabh Siddharth (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS).
Contact: Footwear and Accessories Design Professor Ellen Lynch ([email protected]).

FIT Foundation Holiday Postcard Competition

Sponsor: FIT Foundation
Challenge: Students were invited to design the front of a postcard that the FIT Foundation will use in alumni and donor outreach. 
Participants: Open to all part-time and full-time FIT students.
Outcome: Winners: Diala Dabbous (Fashion Design MFA), Kiara Selena Headley (Fine Arts AAS), Stephanie Jeeun Kim (Fashion Design MFA).
Contact: Fashion Design Professor Michael Kaye ([email protected]). 

Museum of the Moving Image Educational Project for ED 542 (Exhibition Design Graphics)

Sponsor: Museum of the Moving Image
Challenge: ED 542 explores graphic design communication systems, including graphic identity and program development. Imagery and typographic solutions, with an emphasis on two- and three-dimensional design development, are covered.  This class project was developed in collaboration with the Museum of the Moving Image.  The objective of this project was to introduce students to wayfinding and signage design through the proposal of concepts for wayfinding signage and related components for a client. Working with the client representatives, students first documented the types of existing signage, and created a graphic signage and wayfinding design package.
Participants: All students enrolled in spring 2022 ED 542 (Exhibition Design Graphics) course.
Contact: Exhibition and Experience Design Associate Chairperson Christina Lyons ([email protected]).

Deckle and Moneypenny Educational Project for ED531 (Presentation Techniques)

Sponsor: Deckle and Moneypenny 
Challenge: Deckle and Moneypenny partnered with FIT Graduate Exhibition & Experience Design Department to generate a design project based upon the actual event and show room space designed for one of their past clients. It was a conceptual project for an experience design for GE co-creation space in CT.  Students were responsible for adhering to all rules and requirements of the venue, developed by the instructor in collaboration with Deckle and Moneypenny. They obtained a working knowledge of logistics and budget allocations within the venue. Students  engaged in strategic planning and conceptual development for this exhibit design to advance brand recognition, visitor flow and create a positive and memorable experience. The concept design included lighting, print and digital media design, including interactive opportunities for the visitor. This involved creating opportunities for visitors to have a learning experience and engage in activities that enhance the visitor experience.
Participants: All students enrolled in spring 2022 ED531 (Presentation Techniques) course.
Outcome: All projects were graded by the instructor as part of the class.
Contact: Exhibition and Experience Design Professor Pedro Mota ([email protected]).

The National Justice Museum Educational Project for ED 523 (Exhibition Design for the Museum Setting)

Sponsor: The National Justice Museum
Challenge: This educational project is a joint collaboration between Exhibition and Experience Design MA Department and The National Justice Museum. The student objective of this project was to undertake the subject of utilizing content and collections as determined by the museum so as to understand how exhibits are developed and physically interpreted within a museum exhibition environment. Students were responsible for adhering to all rules and requirements of a museum venue, developed by the faculty instructor in collaboration with the The National Justice Museum.
Participants: All students enrolled in spring 2022 ED 523 (Exhibition Design for the Museum Setting).
Outcome: All projects were graded by the instructor as part of the class.
Contact: Exhibition and Experience Design Professor Brenda Cowan ([email protected]).

FIT Constitution Day Postcard Competition

Sponsor: School of Liberal Arts
Challenge: Students were asked to design the front and back of a postcard (3X5 or 4X6 inches) that illustrates their beliefs about any part of the United States Constitution.
Participants: Open to all part-time and full-time FIT students.
Outcome: 1st place: Mauricio Zelaya (Photography BFA); 2nd place: Dianne Bahram Zadeh Ebrahimi (Graphic Design BFA, History of Art Minor).
Contact: Social Science's Professor of American History Daniel Levinson Wilk ([email protected]). 

CM423 (Cosmetic and Fragrance Product Development Workshop)

Sponsor: Aromatherapy Associates​
Challenge: For this project Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Fashion Business Management teams were responsible for driving the process and for identifying ideas. They worked in collaboration with scent experts from FIT to challenge conventional thinking, develop better knowledge about fragrance and help shortlist ideas which effectively addresses the brief.
Participants: Open to FIT students enrolled in the spring 2022 CM423 (Cosmetic and Fragrance Product Development Workshop) as well as Nottingham Trent University Fashion Business Management students.
Outcome: FIT students who were part 1st place team (VR Pop Up Experience): Daniella Imbriano (Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing BS), Alexis Keith (Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing BS, Spanish Minor), Sydney Snow (Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing BS, 3-Dimensional Design Minor, Economics Minor), Lauren Westerheide (Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing BS, International Trade and Marketing Minor).
Contact: Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing Professor Delphine Horvath ([email protected]).

FM 422 (Merchandise Strategies Capstone Project)

Sponsor: The Children's Place
Challenge: Create an innovative merchandise strategy for The Children's Place.
Participants: Open to FIT students enrolled in the spring 2022 FM 422 (Merchandise Strategies Capstone Project Course).
Outcome: 1st place team: Jianna Bennetti (Fashion Business Management BS), Shazil Noel (Fashion Business Management BS), Noe Malula (Fashion Business Management BS), Anya Swapp (Fashion Business Management BS); 2nd place team: Jasmine Acevedo (Fashion Business Management BS), Giana Luca (Fashion Business Management BS), Rachel Nguyen (Fashion Business Management BS), Alex Wein (Fashion Business Management BS).
Contact: Fashion Business Management Professor Catherine Geib ([email protected]), Fashion Business Management Professor Nancy Sheridan ([email protected]), Fashion Business Management Professor Daniella Steinberg ([email protected]).

Aramark “Café Refresh” Student Contest

Sponsor: Aramark Educational Services
Challenge: Students were tasked with developing a boarder theme for the FIT Student Cafeteria that is conducive to food and city life for the FIT campus.
Participants: Open to all undergraduate students at School of Art and Design
Outcome: 1st place team: Diana Rico (Communication Design AAS), Lawrence Carr (Communication Design AAS), Svetlana Kouptsov (Communication Design AAS); 2nd place: Aniya Thorne (Illustration AAS); 3rd place: Carlos Miranda (Illustration AAS).
Contact: Communication Design Pathways Chairperson Craig Berger ([email protected]), Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design Program Professor Anne Finkelstein ([email protected]), Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design Program Professor Anne Kong ([email protected]).

Christian Louboutin “If the Shoe FITs” Student Design Challenge

Sponsor: Christian Louboutin
Challenge: Design a spring/summer shoe collection that’s not only gorgeous and unique, but also adheres to Christian Louboutin's principals, history and theme.
Participants: Open to all undergaduate students at FIT's Footwear and Accessories Design Program and Fashion Design Program
Outcome: 1st place: Manaal Asif Habib (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS), 2nd place: Gisely de Souza Mota (Footwear and Accessories Design BFA), 3rd place: Arthur Chen (Footwear and Accessories Design BFA).
Contact: Footwear and Accessories Design Chairperson Sarah Mullins ([email protected]).

FM 422 (Merchandise Strategies Capstone Project)

Sponsor: Uncommon Goods
Challenge: Create an innovative merchandise strategy for the Uncommon Goods, LLC.
Participants: Open to FIT students enrolled in the fall 2021 FM 422 (Merchandise Strategies Capstone Project Course).
Outcome: 1st place team: Daniella Levanti (Fashion Business Management BS), Hannah Blaseg (Fashion Business Management BS), Kate Zuckerman (Fashion Business Management BS), Namra Khan (Fashion Business Management BS); 2nd place team: Antionetta Kazdan (Fashion Business Management BS), David Fernandez (Fashion Business Management BS), Jasmina Hodjikj-Smith (Fashion Business Management BS), Jingzhen Xie (Fashion Business Management BS).
Contact: Fashion Business Management Professor Nancy Sheridan ([email protected]) or Fashion Business Management Professor Catherine Geib ([email protected]).

14th annual $10,000 Supima Design Competition

Sponsor: Supima
Challenge:  Design a capsule collection of five women’s wear looks featuring the unique characteristics of Supima cotton.
Participants: 2021 graduating seniors from Academy of Art University, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Kent State University, Parsons School of Design, Rhode Island School of Design, and Savannah College of Art and Design.
Outcome: FIT Finalist: Yitao (Esther) Li (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Sportswear).
Contact: Fashion Design Apparel Professor Tom Scott ([email protected]).
Articles: 14th Annual Supima Design Competition Slated for NYFW, SUPIMA RETURNS WITH 14TH ANNUAL DESIGN COMPETITION HOSTED BY LAW ROACH, 14th Annual Supima Design Competition Slated for NYFW, 14th Annual Supima Design Competition Scheduled for New York Fashion Week – WWD

The Underfashion Club Student Contest

Sponsor: The Underfashion Club
Challenge: Create one original design/garment utilizing this year's theme: "Minimalism as a Marketable Design".
Participants: Open to FIT's seventh semester intimate apparel concentration Fashion Design students.
Outcome: 1st place: Christelle Endale Elok (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel); 2nd place: Rachel Szemethy (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel); 3rd place: Svitlana Derin (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel); Participant prizes: Cassidy Barth (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel); Devin Olguin (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel).
Contact: Fashion Design Professor Michael Kaye ([email protected]).
Articles: 2022 STUDENT DESIGN CONTEST, 2022 FEMMY AWARDS HONOREES ANNOUNCED, Savage x Fenty, Parade Among Recipients of 2022 Femmy Awards

Ceeze Bespoke Shoes Bootcamp

Sponsor:  Ceeze
Challenge: Ceeze partnered with FIT on a three day intensive bespoke shoemaking bootcamp for FIT students who are enrolled in the Footwear and Accessories Design Program. 
Participants: Undergraduate students at FIT's Footwear and Accessories Design Program
Outcome: 16 students were chosen to participate: ​​Aankhi Diwakar (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Anika Blau (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Arthur Chen (Footwear and Accessories Design BFA); Astha Singh (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Frank Vega (Footwear and Accessories Design BFA); Kenneth Zhang (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Kyle Reynolds (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Lior Saffati Grunhaus (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); ​​Manaal Habib (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Morgan Laughlin (Footwear and Accessories Design BFA); Nick Smith (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Paul Albano (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Shreya Paliwal (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Silas Lavino (Footwear and Accessories Design BFA); Swarnagauri Dutta (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS); Willem McCafferty (Footwear and Accessories Design AAS).
Contact: Footwear and Accessories Design Chairperson Sarah Mullins ([email protected]).