CWC Fellows Headed to Otis College of Art and Design

This summer marks our 5th year of sending CWC Fellows to the OTIS College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. At the OTIS Summer of Art program, students will have the unique opportunity to develop their artistic skills, explore specialized art and design pathways, and experience life at one of the nation's top art and design colleges.

Introducing Jashlyn, Riley, and Zahara—three talented Year 5 Fellows who are ready to take the fashion world by storm.

Learn about them below.

CWC Year 5 Fellow Jashlyn

Jashlyn is a 12th grader from New York City who discovered her passion for fashion at the age of five, when she first learned to sew. In high school, she achieved many notable milestones, including winning the Kleinfeld Bridal Competition and the Swarovski Crystals Competition, where her dazzling designs captured the spotlight.

Currently, Jashlyn is interning at Anna Sui in New York City, gaining hands-on experience in the sample room, specifically in pattern-making and sewing. Her work is fueled by the rebellious spirit of punk rock and the fierce energy of unapologetic self-expression—qualities she brings to every garment she creates.

Her ultimate goal is to launch a brand that makes women feel powerful, fearless, and invincible.

This summer, Jashlyn will bring her drive and creative spirit to OTIS to refine her skills, broaden her industry knowledge, and take her first bold steps toward establishing her brand.

CWC Year 5 Fellow Riley

Riley is a 12th grader from Maryland and has been building his fashion dreams from the ground up since childhood. Even before learning to sew, Riley used fashion as a form of self-expression—carefully curating outfits that told a story. By the time Riley was eight years old, he knew they wanted to create a fashion brand of his own.

Today, Riley channels creativity and persistence into every piece he makes—whether reconstructing denim, designing original garments, or refining their portfolio. His work is inspired by personal experiences and by designers like Virgil Abloh, who showed that fashion can be a powerful storytelling tool.

Riley’s dream is to launch a brand that helps people feel seen, bold, and confident.

At OTIS, Riley plans to elevate his pattern-making and construction skills, build a creative community, and continue pushing the boundaries of what fashion can be.

CWC Year 5 Fellow Zahara

Zahara is an 11th grader from Arizona. She began her journey into fashion by sewing clothes for her dolls—a hobby that blossomed into a powerful form of self-expression. She is captivated by the way color, shape, and texture create immersive emotional experiences through fashion.

Drawing inspiration from global design, bold patterns, and limitless artistic possibilities, Zahara is currently enrolled in a fashion design course at her school. She spends her free time sewing and experimenting independently.

Her dream is to launch a fashion label that promotes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) awareness through innovative, eye-catching designs.

This summer, Zahara will bring her fearless spirit to OTIS, where she’s excited to strengthen her technical skills, deepen her critical thinking in design, and move closer to turning her bold vision into reality.

We’ll be featuring all of our Year 5 Fellows over the next few months—stay tuned for more incredible stories!