CWC Fellows Take on SCAD and Academy of Art This Summer
Four outstanding CWC Fellows are taking their fashion education to the next level. Two will attend the SCAD Rising Star program in Georgia, while two others are headed to San Francisco to study at the Academy of Art University. Each program offers college credit, hands-on instruction, and the chance to grow as artists among peers who share their passion for design.
The SCAD Rising Star program is a four-week pre-college experience for rising high school seniors. Students enroll in two college-level courses and earn up to ten college credits using university studios, classrooms, and production labs. The program includes Introduction to Textiles, Fashion Aesthetics and Style, and Fashion Technology courses.
Meet the Fellows representing CWC at SCAD this summer:
CWC Year 3 Fellow Nicolas
Nicolas is an 11th-grade student from Virginia who has been passionate about fashion for as long as he can remember. As a child, he spent hours sketching original designs and putting bold outfit ideas on paper. For him, fashion is more than clothing. It is a way to express truth, celebrate culture, and tell powerful stories.
Nicolas has been a CWC Fellow since 2023, taking pre-college courses at FIT, the Academy of Art University, and California College of the Arts. He has also explored other artistic mediums, including digital art and poetry. Through these experiences, he has grown both technically and creatively.
Nicolas is inspired by a wide range of creative voices. He draws energy from painters like Jean-Michel Basquiat, musicians like Mach Hommy and Westside Gunn, and designers such as Pharrell Williams, Colm Dillane, and Virgil Abloh. Seeing successful Black creatives in fashion motivates him to pursue his dreams confidently and purposefully.
As the grandson of Haitian immigrants, Nicolas sees his journey as both personal and generational. He hopes to become a fashion designer and entrepreneur who creates change and gives back to his community. This summer, he is excited to build new skills, connect with like-minded students, and move closer to his goal of transforming the fashion industry.
CWC Year 4 Fellow Kennadi
Kennadi is an 11th-grade student from Washington DC who has been designing since childhood. She started by creating clothes for dolls, and over time she began sewing and making custom alterations.
Last year, Kennadi completed the RISD pre-college program through CWC, where she grew as both a designer and a student.
Her biggest inspiration is Barbie. To Kennadi, Barbie is a symbol of creativity and possibility. That idea shapes the way she approaches her work. She believes fashion should be fun, imaginative, and empowering. Her goal is to become a costume and production designer for film. She wants to bring stories to life through clothing and visual design.
This summer, she looks forward to growing as a designer, learning new techniques, and refining her time management skills. Kennadi is excited to continue building a career that blends storytelling, artistry, and fashion.
Two others are traveling to San Francisco to participate in the Pre-College Intensive Program at the Academy of Art University. This immersive program is designed to ignite creativity, encourage artistic growth, and offer hands-on experience with professional tools and techniques. Students learn through workshops, live demonstrations, and interactive classes taught by industry professionals. Whether students are just beginning or already experienced, the program helps sharpen creative instincts and expand technical ability.
CWC Year 5 Fellow Elianna
Elianna is an 11th-grade student from New Jersey who discovered her love for fashion at a young age. Inspired by television icons like Zendaya’s Rocky Blue and early memories of her mom styling her in colorful outfits, Elianna learned early that clothes can tell a story and boost confidence.
Over time, her interest grew into a desire to design and sew her own clothes. She wants fashion that reflects her personality and vision. Designers like Versace and Valentino and stylist Law Roach have shown her how prints, shapes, and color can work together to create bold, unforgettable looks.
Elianna plans to attend a four-year art college and build a fashion career combining beauty and storytelling. This summer, she hopes to strengthen her drawing and illustration skills and gain experience working with professional tools and techniques.
She is excited to learn alongside other young creatives and grow as both an artist and designer during her time at the Academy of Art University.
CWC Year 5 Fellow Sydney
Sydney is an 11th-grade student from Maryland who uses fashion design to express identity, creativity, and purpose. She enjoys working with a mix of textures and materials, often blending new fabric with repurposed textiles to create meaningful, one-of-a-kind pieces.
She is a self-taught crochet designer who has taken sewing, garment construction, and experimental fashion courses. Most recently, she was selected for the 2024 Hems and Brims summer program, where she will continue to develop her skills.
Sydney is inspired by her personal journey and often includes subtle messages in her designs to spark thought and conversation.
In college, she plans to study fashion design and business. This summer, she is looking forward to improving her technical skills, especially in detail work, while connecting with other students at the Academy of Art University who share her passion for fashion with purpose.
This wraps up our series highlighting the CWC Fellows from this year. During their pre-college programs across the country, they will explore new ideas, strengthen their skills, and continue growing as young designers.
We cannot wait to see what they create. We are proud to continue supporting young, underrepresented artists as they find their voices and build their futures in fashion.
