Four Talented Fellows Headed to RISD
CWC is sending 4 talented Fellows to RISD this summer. RISD Pre-College offers rising high school juniors and seniors the chance to experience life as an RISD undergrad. For five weeks, Fellows follow a college-level curriculum with day-long studio classes, critiques, and projects.
Learn about the 4 talented Year 4 and 5 Fellows attending RISD this summer.
CWC Year 4 Fellow Dhamani
Dhamani is a 12th grader from Michigan. Last year, she attended Parsons Academy. Since joining CWC, she has been mentored by a shoe designer from the August Special.
Dhamani is drawn to the complexities of fashion design and its power to communicate messages through garments. She expresses her love for fashion by creating meaningful designs.
Her biggest inspiration is Le Chevalier aux Fleurs by Georges Rochegrosse. The knight’s expression and the interplay of light and shadow sparked a personal connection and a sense of purpose that continues to shape Dhamani’s artistic journey.
Dhamani’s dream is to become a creative director, building a life surrounded by unique and intricate design. She views the RISD Pre-College program as a decisive step toward that goal. She is excited about the opportunity to grow technically, step outside her comfort zone, and find her own signature style.
All of Dhamani’s work is driven by intention. At RISD this summer, she hopes to sharpen her pattern-making skills, refine their techniques, and further define her personal design voice.
CWC Year 5 Fellow Kameirah
Kameirah is an 11th grader from Washington whose passion for fashion is rooted in self-expression, social awareness, and community representation.
Fashion is central to Kameirah’s identity as an artist. She sees her body as a canvas and uses fashion to tell stories, reflect her culture, and challenge social norms. Her multidisciplinary approach spans photography, painting, and textiles. She has brought that vision to life through fashion photography, styling, textile work, and zine design. From attending live fashion shows to researching designers online, she constantly seeks new knowledge and inspiration.
Kameirah finds strength and purpose in her community, her culture, and the full spectrum of her lived experience. Through her art, she aims to uplift marginalized voices and drive meaningful change.
Her goal is to become a creative director and launch her own agency or brand. She aims to blend art and activism, creating opportunities for young Black creatives.
At RISD’s Pre-College program, Kameirah hopes to refine her technical skills in fashion design, acquire industry knowledge, and cultivate her confidence as a creator.
CWC Year 4 Fellow Laila
Laila is an 11th grader from New York. Last summer, she attended FIT’s Summer Pre-College program. In the fall, she was mentored by a Converse product manager.
Laila has always been drawn to the creative freedom that fashion design offers. From a young age, she loved arts and crafts and now channels that passion into fashion and jewelry design.
She is inspired by her desire to succeed as a Black creative. Learning more about African American history has fueled her commitment to be a strong voice in a fashion industry where Black representation is limited.
She aims to study fashion or accessory design in college and build a successful creative career. She sees RISD’s Pre-College program as a chance to strengthen her portfolio, receive professional feedback, and explore potential colleges.
Laila’s diverse experiences have sharpened her skills and deepened her understanding of Black history. This summer, she will bring that knowledge, passion, and determination to RISD’s pre-college program.
CWC Year 4 Fellow Carlos
Carlos is a 12th grader from Florida who attended Parsons Academy last summer. Carlos describes fashion design as a language. Since childhood, it has been a way to explore identity through personal style and illustration.
Carlos’s work is deeply personal. Much of their inspiration comes from life experiences that are difficult to put into words. Art has become a space to process memories and express emotions tied to identity, religion, and mental health.
Their goal is to work professionally in the fashion industry and build strong technical skills in garment making, design, and market understanding. Carlos believes RISD’s Pre-College program is a rare opportunity for young designers to grow through hands-on learning and access to expert mentorship. Their first pre-college experience at Parsons helped them refine their draping, time management, and sewing, and they are excited to continue that growth at RISD.
As a minority in fashion, Carlos wants to support other young creatives and build a future where everyone has a chance to thrive. They are committed to helping others learn and dream big and look forward to the day they can open doors for kids like them to work in the world of fashion.
We are almost done highlighting all of the incredible 2025 CWC Fellows.
Stay tuned as we wrap up this series and continue celebrating the creativity, resilience, and vision of our Year 5 Fellows.
