If there’s one lesson we’ve seen at [the3st] over and over again through our numerous interviews with up and coming fashion designers, it’s that following your dream of fashion isn’t just as easy as having passion (though it’s a prerequisite). But if you’re an aspiring student at the University of Pennsylvania with a desire to enter fashion, regardless of industry function, then we have a great announcement to you about an amazing opportunity to help you get your door in the fashion world!

We are proud to introduce you to the Fashion Scholarship Fund, a national organization comprised of many prestigious fashion houses that provides students of specific schools with an opportunity of a lifetime.

To learn more about the FSF, I interviewed Erin Armendinger, managing director of the Jay Baker Retail Initiative, and Kevin Rosenbloom, FSF Board of Governor, Co-Chair of Scholarships and Ambassador for the University of Pennsylvania. Their insights into the program really underscore the importance of why any UPenn student reading this blog should definitely be applying to the FSF.

The FSF is much, much more than a scholarship. As Kevin put it, the FSF is a group of senior executives of highly prestigious fashion firms that want to cultivate talent – the next CEO or Head Designer – by providing the best resources possible. That comes in the form of mentoring, networking, internships, and a scholarship.

Let’s start with the mentoring aspect of the FSF. If you win, you’ll get a personal mentor from the fashion community that will help promote your growth, give you advice, and make sure you’re on the path to success. For the University of Pennsylvania, Kevin Rosenbloom is the school’s mentor as well as ambassador. Did I mention, he’s also a Retail Executive with years of merchandising experience having held several positions at both Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue? But not only is the mentorship program great for long-term planning, it’s a great resource during your summer when you’re interning for a famous fashion firm. As an FSF Scholar, you would be in regular contact with Kevin during your summer internship. Part of the mentor’s role is to also make sure you’re adjusting well into the program and that it’s a good fit.

Then there’s the networking. As an FSF Scholar, you’d be invited to world-class events, with celebrities and fashion icons sitting alongside with you. For example, there is a dinner gala held to celebrate the students as well as honor members of the fashion community including past honorees Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Zac Posen, Mindy Grossman, Jeff Gannette, Molly Simms, Mary Alice Stephenson, and more. There is no other program like the FSF that would give such amazing access into the fashion world. There are other networking events that the FSF holds, such as Intern Networking events. Furthermore, as I segue into the next benefit of the FSF, being in an internship in a fashion firm will also give you many connections as well.

Now the internship. If you are selected as a scholar, you will get an internship. No ifs or doubts. You are guaranteed a fashion internship if you so choose to exercise the option. To ensure a good fit, the FSF application will ask you for your preference. Not a designer but love marketing? That’s totally fine, the FSF will take into account. Want to work for a fashion industry oriented investment bank, that’s fine, FSF will prioritize your placement into Financo. The program is designed to maximize your benefits and match to your desired career path. This benefit speaks for itself so I won’t belabor upon how important this point is.

Lastly, there is the scholarship. Yes, the FSF Scholarship Fund obviously includes a scholarship component. For any first-time applicants, that amount if at $5,000- certainly a significant sum of money. As Erin noted, that amount of money can be really helpful to getting an apartment in New York during your internship. If you are a second-year winner applying again, you are eligible for a $25,000 scholarship.

Wow, the FSF Scholarship Fund really speaks for itself. If you have not started working on your application, you’d better start soon! But don’t think this is just a walk in the park. This is a chance for people with talent and passion who otherwise would not be able to get into fashion to get that lifetime of an opportunity so it will be highly competitive. But I know my readers from UPenn are dedicated, smart, and passionate. I encourage you to apply ASAP! The deadline for the case study portion of the application is Sunday November 15, 2009 so that interviews can be set up. Also, keep in mind that only 5 people from each school will even be nominated. So if 10 UPenn application come in, only 5 of them will make it into the interview stage.

So logistics to keep in mind:

• Get the full application (the website for FSF doesn’t have everything) from this email: bakerretailer@wharton.upenn.edu.
• Be sure to make your subject title as “YMA Application”
• Be sure to get your application into Erin Armindinger at aerin@wharton.upenn.edu before November 16th