Scholarship fund helps all majors move into fashion -- including a CU student

The fashion industry isn't just all glitz and glamour.

"It's interesting, many people who don't have a thorough understanding of the fashion industry think that it's all about making and selling clothes," said Harry Harrison, executive director at Fashion Scholarship Fund.

"They have no idea just how many career opportunities exist within the world of fashion for all majors."

The Fashion Scholarship Fund, based in New York, provided a University of Colorado senior and a recent graduate with New York internships in the fashion world.

Over the summer, Susanna Nilsson, a CU business and marketing major, worked as an intern at Polo Ralph Lauren's in-house advertising agency, Interactive Creative Group.

"It was pretty cool to work on several projects for such a big company," said Nilsson. "It was beneficial for me to see how strong a brand can be with all its different elements."

Nilsson, from Durango, said she wants to move to New York when she graduates in May and pursue a fashion career.

"There was so much culture there," she said. "There was always something to do -- I tried out tons of restaurants, saw museums, went to parks. It was really nice to feed off the energy of the city."

Harrison said the Fashion Scholarship Fund grants between 50 to 75 $5,000 scholarships a year, including four Geoffrey Beane Scholars who are awarded $25,000. The fund

University of Colorado senior Susanna Nilsson, a business and marketing major, worked as an intern at Polo Ralph Lauren s in-house advertising agency, Interactive Creative Group, over the summer. She pursued the opportunity through the New York-based Fashion Scholarship Fund. ( CLIFF GRASSMICK )

There is no need for a fashion background to apply, said Harrison.

"The fashion companies are really not that interested or concerned about a particular discipline that a student may be studying," said Harrison. "There are plenty of talented designers out there. What they simply want is smart kids."

David R. Thayer II, who graduated from CU in May, said his internship as a retail analyst in summer 2008 with Ralph Lauren and as an assistant buyer at Kenneth Cole this past summer contributed to his new position with Macy's Merchandising Group executive development program in New York.

"When I first heard about this scholarship -- to be honest -- fashion never crossed my mind as a viable career," said Thayer, who graduated with a finance degree.

"But it completely changed my life. It really made me realize there is a whole new career path for me. I didn't realize how passionate I really am about being in the fashion industry."

Fashion Scholarship Fund works with top executives in significant fashion companies, such as Calvin Klein, Nike, Coach and Lacoste.

Nilsson said she thinks her work with Ralph Lauren will help open the doors for a future in fashion.

"I think internships are great experiences," she said. "You can take what you learn in the classroom and apply it directly to a real-life experience like learning the industry first-hand in New York.

"I would recommend this program to other students. It has been one of the best experiences for me."