iBelieve Fashion Scholarship Fund
The iBelieve Fashion Scholarship Fund (est 2024) was created to provide advancement of the fashion industry by encouraging and supporting our next generation of scholars to excel in plus size innovation and inclusivity. This annual award is open to senior level students matriculating at a four year university majoring in Fashion Design and/or Merchandising. Students must possess exemplary leadership skills, academic achievement, genuine interest and commitment to shifting the paradigm of plus size fashion. The recipient of this award is to be determined by a panel consisting of faculty members from the Department of Fashion Design and iBelieve Fashion Scholarship Fund committee. The recipient will be publicly announced during the annual fashion and/or award show of selected university.
Statement from the Creator: I endeavor to be a catalyst for change beyond the fitting room and ahead of the curve. Through this scholarship, it is my intention to stoke and nurture the fire of creativity within the next generation of designers. Before we can achieve change in the boardoom or design room, we must make changes within the classroom. iBelieve we can make this change.
DESIGNATED UNIVERSITY 2024
Syracuse University, founded in 1870 and comprised of thirteen schools and colleges, is a private research university in the heart of New York state. This university is top ranked in academics, groundbreaking research, and athletics while providing a vibrant campus life to students, faculty, and staff building a diverse community moving people, industries, and communities forward.
Syracuse University College of Visual & Performing Arts, School of Art & Design is ranked as one of the Top 20 Fashion Schools in the United States and in the Top 5 Fashion Schools in New York.
Students enrolled in the bachelors of fine arts (B.F.A.) program are provided with skills to design and develop products from concept to production. Students study fashion through multiple lenses, incorporating the historic and contemporary impact of fashion on society and emerging technologies within a global landscape.
This four year degree program is one of a handful of programs recognized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and is included in all of the activities and competitions sponsored by the CFDA.
The curriculum of the B.F.A degree program in fashion design includes the basic skills of construction, flat pattern, draping and presentation, all with an emphasis on design. Important related topics include textiles, fashion drawing, fashion marketing and computer-assisted design.
Notable Fashion Alumni: Betsy Johnson, Emme Aronson, Samantha Brown.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT 2024
Yegunahareeta Printup, Syracuse University-B.F.A. Fashion Design (c/o 2024)
Yegunahareeta (Tuscarora Nation) was raised by traditional parents on the reservation, going to ceremonies, and is deeply rooted in the culture and teachings of her tribe. She has always been interested in creating wearable art and taught herself how to bead at an early age. She is fully immersed in the tradition and beauty of indigenous culture.
Hareeta's senior collection featured 6 unique looks on models of various sizes, hair textures, and complexions...all beautifully dressed in her works for the year.
"I am inspired by my culture, and I want to incorporate aspects of our traditional wear into modern wear clothes. Clothes that could proudly be worn in longhouse, at the office, out to dinner with friends, or special events."
Her dream is to connect tradition and modernity through fashion, by creating a line of clothing inspired by traditional longhouse wear. She has reimagined modern wear clothing items with a native influence to instill confidence in the wearer and promote Native visibility.
In addition to being the 2024 recipient of the iBelieve Fashion Scholarship Fund, Hareeta was also named 1 of 12 seniors to receive the prestigious title of VPA Scholar, the college's highest undergraduate academic honor.
The Senior Collection of Yegunahareeta Printup. Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts. C/o 2024 BFA Fashion Design