Meet the 2026 CWC Fellows Headed to Pratt Institute

We’re excited to announce our 6th cohort of CWC Fellows attending pre-college summer programs this year. Fellows have been selected and matched to programs at our six partner design schools. With applications coming in from over 3 countries and more than 20 states, the competition was incredibly strong. We want to thank everyone who applied! If you were not selected this year, we encourage you to apply again next year if you are still in high school.

Over the coming weeks, both here on our blog and on Instagram, we will be highlighting each of our Year 6 Fellows. In no particular order, we’ll be sharing their stories, creative work, and the inspiration behind their journeys. CWC is proud to support the next generation of underrepresented designers as they take their next step in their creative paths.

Below are three of our Fellows attending our newest academic partner, Pratt Institute: Kayla, Nathan, and Reina.

CWC Fellow Kayla

Kayla is a 12th grader from Michigan and a returning CWC Fellow. She attended CCA last summer as part of our Year 5 cohort. Kayla is a driven designer with a clear vision for her future in fashion. What draws her most to design is the ability to turn ideas into something real, creating garments from nothing but imagination and skill.

Kayla is focused on mastering design techniques and expanding her artistic range. She wants to be able to look at a design and immediately understand how to bring it to life. Her long-term goal is to become a fashion designer, gain experience in the industry, and eventually launch her own brand. This summer at Pratt, she’s especially excited to strengthen her pattern-making skills and deepen her understanding of the business side of fashion.

CWC Fellow Nathan

Nathan is an 11th grader from California who has been developing his craft in fashion design from a young age. His personal style is a core part of who he is, and he has explored it through creating original designs and transforming recycled and vintage pieces.

Nathan is a disciplined and intentional designer, consistently working to refine his skills. With years of sewing experience, he is committed to perfecting his craft. Inspired by the natural world and human interaction with it, Nathan brings a thoughtful and observant perspective to his designs. His long-term goal is to attend a top fashion design program and continue growing as a designer. This summer at Pratt, he’s excited to expand his technical skills, explore new creative possibilities, and take the next step toward building his future in fashion.

CWC Fellow Reina

Reina is an 11th grader from Florida whose passion for fashion is rooted in culture, creativity, and lived experience. Being surrounded by music, poetry, and artistic expression, she developed a strong connection to design early on. After moving from Brooklyn to Miami, her interest in fashion continued to grow. Today, she is focused on conceptual design, upcycling, pattern making, and building collections that reflect her identity and creative vision.

Her long-term goal is to attend a top design school and build a strong foundation in both the creative and business sides of fashion before launching her own brand. This summer at Pratt, she’s excited to develop her technical skills, expand her perspective, and prepare for the next stage of her journey.

At Pratt

This summer, Kayla, Nathan, and Reina will attend Pratt Institute’s Summer Pre-College Program in Brooklyn, New York. It is an immersive, college-level experience designed for high school students serious about pursuing art and design. Set on a 25-acre campus in one of the most culturally vibrant parts of New York City, Pratt allows Fellows to earn college credit while building portfolio-ready work. Courses are taught by Pratt faculty and reflect the rigor and expectations of undergraduate study.

Fellows will take two courses over four weeks, developing technical skills, creative discipline, and a deeper understanding of their craft. In Fashion Design, students focus on foundational techniques such as draping and hand sewing, strengthening their ability to think critically and to create with intention. Beyond the classroom, Fellows become part of a creative community. They collaborate with peers from around the world, explore new ideas, and build the independence and confidence needed for the next stage of their journey.

For our Fellows, this experience is more than a summer program. It is a step into the future they are building for themselves.

Stay tuned to learn about our other Year 6 Fellows and the programs they will be attending!