Fordham University Seniors Win Big in Fashion Scholarship Fund Case Competition, Earning Prestigious Awards and Recognition
Undergraduate | May 05, 2025 | Gabelli School of Business
Fordham University and the Gabelli School of Business have announced that four undergraduate seniors have received scholarships in the ultra-competitive 2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) Case Competition. The Fashion Scholarship Fund is the foremost fashion-oriented education and workforce development nonprofit organization in the U.S. For the FSF Class of 2025, just 160 scholars were selected from more than 1,400 applications across 90 universities. Among scholarship recipients, fewer than 50 universities were represented. The four Fordham scholarship winners who were, in-total, awarded $40,000, represent the largest number of cash awards bestowed upon our students since the beginning of their participation three years ago.
“We’re extremely proud of our four winning scholars,” said Jennifer O’Neil, associate director of undergraduate career advising, who also serves as the Gabelli School’s faculty advisor for the Marketing Scholars Program and the coach for this competition. “These students represent the top caliber and strong character of Fordham students in every sense. Their winning is a testament to the qualities of the Gabelli School education that make it a preferred undergraduate business school.”
Erica Lubomirsky with New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns
Erica Lubomirsky, a two-time winner, is a global business major who has concentration in global marketing with consumer insights, and is an incoming assistant manager, demand generation media at Coach. She received a Weissman x FSF Named Scholarship and a $10,000 scholarship, in addition to the $7,500 she received during last year’s competition. Kate Lu, who is double majoring in global business and information systems with a concentration in global marketing with consumer insights, is currently working in digital merchandising at Louis Vuitton and received a $10,000 scholarship; Molly Chamberlain, who is earning a B.A. in communication and culture from Fordham College, and has a minor in fashion studies and a concentration in media studies, is a content creator at Handshake—a Gen Z career platform. She received a $10,000 scholarship. Kweku Andoh, who is majoring in business administration with a concentration in both marketing and strategic branding, is a digital intern at KCD, a brand experience agency. He received the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship, and a $10,000 scholarship. In addition to their monetary winnings, each student also has access to mentorships and networking opportunities to support their career success.
Lubomirsky, who hails from Staten Island, NY, competed in the Marketing category of the competition, and pitched a plan to improve the Revolve shopping experience by implementing an integrated AI-powered virtual “try-on” tool, making it possible for users to test clothing before they purchase it, thereby, reducing return rates. She leveraged an existing marketing strategy to engage with consumers and creators to: promote the new tool using social media campaigns, drive engagement, boost sales, and push the brand forward in e-commerce innovation. She commented, “Joining the FSF network has been a life-changing experience, as I’ve gotten to connect with powerful industry executives and recruiters at dream companies who are interested in supporting my career journey.”
Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief, with Kate Lu
Lu, calls both California and Shanghai home, and is a Gabelli School Marketing Scholar, who competed in the Merchandising category. She reimagined merchandising at Givenchy through the lens of generative AI and big data to create a visionary customizable collection assortment. She was a Saks Global Scholar and was dressed by Cult Gaia in their full-length Abril gown. Reflecting on this deeply personal milestone, she noted, “I came to New York driven by a passion for fashion, and I’ve poured that passion into hands-on internships and hard work. Being able to present my ideas and connect with industry professionals through this experience reminded me how far I’ve come—and how much further I want to go.”
Andoh is from Tacoma, WA and also competed in the Marketing category with a “SKIMS x Jean Paul Gaultier” collaboration that further positioned SKIMS as a brand innovator, integrating technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and AI to deliver an immersive consumer experience with an overall aesthetic underscored by the work of innovative designer, Jean Paul Gaultier. He commented, “As someone who thrives on the fusion of creativity and strategy, this project allowed me to further develop my skills in conceptual branding and marketing, which I have exercised in my foundational education here at Fordham. Ultimately, this experience has helped me reevaluate what marketing and consumer experience can look like in today’s digital age, making me even more excited for my professional future.”
Chamberlain, from West Deptford, NJ, competed in the Marketing category and repositioned Ulta Beauty’s brand as more sustainable through “Re-Ulta,” an AI and digital technology tool integrating UV-C Light Disinfection technology to streamline the sanitation of returns and improve up-cycling of products that would otherwise contribute to an environmental footprint, while simultaneously driving Ulta Beauty Collection private label sales. She felt the Fashion Scholarship Fund Case Competition was one of the most challenging, rewarding, and inspiring projects she took on as a student, and that it absolutely changed the game for her—professionally, individually, and financially.
The four winning students celebrated at the FSF Live Gala in Manhattan on April 14 alongside some of the foremost names in the fashion industry, including Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s Inc. One of the Gabelli School 2024 Fashion Scholarship Fund winners Samantha Brooks (GABELLI’24), manager candidate at UNIQLO, and one of the 2023 Winners, MiaDeMeola (GABELLI’23), client engagement project coordinator at Bergdorf Goodman, joined the event and celebration.
This student-centric career development opportunity resulted from a collaboration between the Marketing Area at the Gabelli School of Business and the Fordham Gabelli School of Business, Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Center. Coached and advised by O’Neil, students submit cases in marketing, merchandising, and business strategy. To learn more about information sessions, and how to register for and compete in the 2026 Fashion Scholarship Fund Case Competition, please email: jeoneil@fordham.edu.
