Student

FIDM Student Teams Place First and Third in 2021 NRF Foundation Student Challenge

Congratulations to our two student teams who placed first and third in the NRF Foundation Student Challenge, the results of which were announced today during the virtual NRF 2021: Retail's Big Show - Chapter One.

FIDM Students Ellie Smith (A.A. Merchandise Product Development, Advanced A.A. International Manufacturing & Product Development, B.S. Business Management), Etheline Ting (A.A. Fashion Design, B.A. Design), and Emily Wilken (A.A. Textile Design, B.A. Design) won first place when they proposed a modular sustainable furniture line for Target, “Home Planet x Target,” while the other team from FIDM – Kaci Balfany (A.A. Graphic Design, B.S. Business Management), Ysabella Gardner (A.A. Merchandising & Marketing, B.S. Business Management), and Tiffany Makdissy (A.A. Fashion Design, B.A. Design) – placed third when they pitched an antimicrobial accessories/clothing line for the children’s department Nordstrom, “Berri+Cade x Nordstrom.” 

The teams acted as entrepreneurs, establishing small businesses ventures and creating a set of products to pitch to major retailers. 

“The NRF Foundation Student Challenge offers students an opportunity to apply many of the tools and ideas from their education and demonstrate that they can perform at a very high level,” said FIDM Instructor Tom Selinske, who coached the students along with Sheryl Marcus and Rich Gordon.

Each member of the first-place team receives a $6,000 tuition scholarship, while members of the third-place team receive $2,500 per student. Since its launch, more than $300,000 in funds have been awarded through the NRF Foundation Student Challenge. 

Follow NRF Foundation on Instagram and Twitter at @nrffoundation and like them on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Categories:  Business Management Design Fashion Design Graphic Design International Manufacturing & Product Development Merchandise Product Development Textile Design Student