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The fashion industry faces a talent shortage that is leaving landmark centers for the sector (like Manhattan) struggling to maintain their prestigious reputations. However, retailers like Macy\u2019s<\/strong> have developed new programs and initiatives to engage emerging talent, not only to bring them into their own pipelines but also to support the future health of the industry.<\/p>\n Through Macy\u2019s Future of Style Fund and Mission Every One, the retailer has collaborated with Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) to elevate and empower emerging designers. As a result of this partnership, two<\/strong> students from FIT and FSF have created, produced and will sell exclusive capsule collections online through macys.com and at select locations nationwide.<\/p>\n The first winner was Shayla Pearson<\/strong> of FSF, <\/strong>who describes her fashion aesthetic as \u201ca blend of storytelling, craftsmanship and innovation. I aim to create designs that are bold yet timeless, merging sustainable practices with statement pieces that resonate with cultural narratives.\u201d In an interview with Retail TouchPoints<\/em>, she noted that she takes an intentional approach to design by \u201ccombining traditional craft techniques with modern technologies. Whether it\u2019s hand-painting prints, incorporating deadstock fabrics or exploring modular fashion concepts, I focus on creating garments that feel personal, meaningful and impactful<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n The second winner was Irene Alexandra Cubides<\/strong> of FIT, who draws inspiration from the \u201cjuxtaposition of nature and technology \u2014 two forces we coexist with and depend on,\u201d she said in an interview with Retail TouchPoints<\/em>. \u201cI approach design as an ongoing dialogue between creativity and practicality. It is deeply rooted in research, experimentation and problem-solving. This process allows me to be intentional about what I create, ensuring that each piece not only functions properly, but also addresses fit challenges and everyday needs.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Pearson and Cubides worked closely with a Macy\u2019s design team to create exclusive collections. Pearson, who is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, created a product for Macy\u2019s private label, Mode of One, which will be sold at the Herald Square store and online at macys.com. Cubides created an exclusive design for Bar III, another Macy\u2019s private label, which will also debut at Herald Square and in 10<\/strong> additional locations across California, Florida and Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n Being an official student designer does not guarantee long-term business partnerships with the retailer, but Macy\u2019s has a history of offering employment opportunities to participants, according to Emily Erusha-Hilleque, SVP of Private Brands for Macy\u2019s.<\/p>\n Pearsons herself secured two<\/strong> recommendations for a design position at Macy\u2019s, \u201cwhich has opened exciting new career possibilities,\u201d she said. She also was able to build a \u201cmeaningful relationship\u201d with Paddy Lee Fashions, a family-owned manufacturing company.<\/p>\n While connections are great, especially for an industry as large (yet often like a small exclusive club) as retail, both winners emphasized that the program gave them access to experts, tools and systems that allowed them to expand their creative horizons and ultimately gain more assurance about their artistic vision.<\/p>\n \u201cThis experience has strengthened my confidence in designing for larger audiences while maintaining my unique aesthetic,\u201d Pearsons said. \u201cMacy\u2019s provided invaluable mentorship and insight throughout the process, helping me refine my designs while staying true to my vision.\u201d<\/p>\n Cupides agreed, adding: \u201cThis experience has given me both the confidence and the industry insights to take my career to the next level. Seeing my designs in Macy\u2019s has reinforced that my vision is possible, which only fuels my motivation to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n The Future of Style Fund is part of Macy\u2019s Mission Every One social purpose platform. Since its launch in 2022, the Fund has provided more than $2.3 million<\/strong> to students, \u201ccreating scholarships and mentorship opportunities, and supporting various fashion programs, incubators and competitions nationwide,\u201d Erusha-Hilleque said in an interview with Retail TouchPoints<\/em>. \u201cThis program, which at its core is built on collaboration, provides student designers with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to partner with fashion leaders and access resources to create these exclusive capsule collections. When creating your own initiative, always put collaboration first.\u201d<\/p>\n Macy\u2019s has a longstanding relationship with FSF and FIT, working with the organizations on various initiatives that give students exposure to what it really takes to design, create and sell a product successfully. However, the retailer\u2019s relationship with the organizations deepened with the Future of Style Fund and it has gone on to forge new partnerships with Clark Atlanta University, SCAD, The New School and Austin Community College, among other schools and programs across the country.<\/p>\n Macy\u2019s prioritizes partnering with organizations that \u201calign with our mission to empower and uplift the next generation of designers, celebrate creativity, promote self-expression and prioritize great design,\u201d Erusha-Hilleque said.<\/p>\n Student designers are hand-selected across these institutions by the social impact<\/strong> and private brands<\/strong> teams through a series of year-round competitions and submissions. For example, student designers from FIT are selected during the school\u2019s annual Spring Fashion Show, Erusha-Hilleque explained: \u201cMacy\u2019s representatives on the judging panel are always looking for student design that complements our private brands and incorporates trends that our consumers are looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n In Pearson\u2019s case, she learned about the opportunity through the FSF x Macy\u2019s Design Challenge, which she felt was \u201cthe perfect platform to challenge myself and expand my design skills,\u201d she said. \u201cI saw it as a chance to create something meaningful that blended my personal experiences with Macy\u2019s rich heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n Once winners are selected, they are immersed into the broader Macy\u2019s organization. This year-long process includes hands-on mentorship experiences as well as \u201cinsights into the entire production pipeline, from concept to seeing their own designs sold on the floor and even on the website of one of the nation\u2019s largest retailers,\u201d Erusha-Hilleque said.<\/p>\n Over the course of a year, both Pearson and Cubides worked with Macy\u2019s private brands team to design, develop and produce these exclusive capsule collections. \u201cThroughout the experience, these student designers had the opportunity to gain real-world experience by working alongside mentors and having access to Macy\u2019s facilities, providing invaluable \u2018on the job\u2019 resources for emerging designers,\u201d Erusha-Hilleque added.<\/p>\n Both students emphatically agreed. \u201cThe capsule collection opportunity has provided me with invaluable hands-on experience in collaboration, production, and retail strategy,\u201d Cupides said. \u201cThe lessons I\u2019ve learned will continue to shape my journey as I grow my brand and navigate the fashion industry.\u201d<\/p>\n Moving forward, Macy\u2019s plans to further expand the Future of Style Fund by building partnerships with new fashion schools and further elevate emerging designers across the country. The retailer\u2019s social impact and private label colleagues already are working with key partners to determine which looks will be used for 2026 capsule collections, Erusha-Hilleque revealed.<\/p>\n Now with their time at Macy\u2019s officially behind them, Cubides and Pearson also are embarking on their own paths, helping chart the future of the fashion industry.<\/p>\n Cubides is currently pursuing her master\u2019s degree in Fashion Management in Rome, where she\u2019s learning about the European market and \u201cgaining diverse industry experience,\u201d she said. \u201cI believe continuous learning is essential and alongside my studies, I continue to design and sew my own pieces, refining my craftsmanship and creative vision.\u201d The ultimate goal? To grow her brand globally and continue to evolve as both a designer and an entrepreneur.<\/p>\n Pearson has a similar objective of expanding her clothing and accessories brand, Homas Official, into a \u201cglobally recognized label that continues to challenge norms in sustainable fashion,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to build a team that supports my creative vision and expand into new categories like accessories and home goods. Additionally, I\u2019m passionate about increasing diversity and representation within the fashion industry, and I plan to create mentorship programs to support emerging designers, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nReinforcing an Artistic Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Long-Term Community-Building Opportunities<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Inside the Macy\u2019s Magic, from Concept to Completion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Designing the Future of Fashion<\/strong><\/h3>\n