May 2, 2023 — Ralph Lauren is establishing a new Fashion Design scholarship program at Marist College that will award a student $100,000 in scholarship funds over four years as the global designer and Marist work together to increase educational opportunities for underrepresented students in the fashion industry. The scholarship program will help remove financial barriers to a fashion education while providing important resources and support for aspiring designers.

The Ralph Lauren Design Scholars Program is focused on providing opportunities and access for underrepresented students to design school at the College, creating pathways to creative careers. Starting with the 2024-25 academic year, the scholarship will include mentorship and development opportunities as part of the summer internship program held at Ralph Lauren’s corporate offices.

“This pledge from one of the world’s most influential fashion companies will give a new student each year a unique and invaluable opportunity,” said John Bartlett, Fashion Program Director at Marist. “Marist’s Fashion program has established a national reputation for providing students with cutting-edge, hands-on learning experiences and convenient access and career connections to the global fashion hub of New York City.”

“Diversity and inclusivity are not only important values, but they are also essential for driving innovation and progress,” said Dr. Edward Antonio, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Marist. “This scholarship opportunity represents two important things: access to a Marist education and a significant step toward creating a more equitable and diverse fashion industry. We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to students facing financial barriers.”

Fashion students with Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design Patrick Boylan

This announcement builds upon a previous collaboration between Marist and Ralph Lauren, which allowed underrepresented high school students to take pre-college classes at Marist’s Poughkeepsie campus. Four New York City high school students received full scholarships to attend the classes during the summer months.

Marist’s Fashion Program, within the School of Communication and the Arts, prepares students for a wide range of fashion careers, including merchandising, product development, retailing, operations, fashion promotion, event production, and more. The program’s fashion design major is an immersive learning experience that combines theory and history with real-world fashion design, providing students with the skills, knowledge, and experience to excel in the industry.