Student

Student Places in Footwear Design Scholarship Contest

Born in Hinesville, Georgia and raised in Hayward, California, Footwear Design & Development Student Briona Moss enrolled at FIDM to pursue her longtime dream of becoming a footwear designer. She recently came in third place in the competitive Joseph C. Moore Design Scholarship Contest created by the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) and the prestigious Arsutoria School in Milan. Briona won a one-week Arsutoria workshop on the art of shoemaking taught in New York City at a future date, as well as a 10-hour eLearning course on the fundamentals of shoemaking. We chatted with Briona to learn about her path to FIDM, placing in the design competition, and how she's adjusting to online learning in light of COVID-19.

What was your path to FIDM? I met a representative from FIDM when I was a junior in high school and knew I had to go to that school. I always loved designing since I was 13 watching Project Runway with my mom. After getting my Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, Concentration Entrepreneurship from Saint Mary’s College of California, I saved for a year and went to FIDM.

What did the scholarship contest entry process entail? It included presenting your resume, motivation, six designs (three expressive and three commercial), theme and inspiration board, an explanation of your collection, and using a maximum of three lasts.

How did you feel upon hearing you'll be receiving a one-week workshop and an eLearning course? It felt amazing. I didn't expect to make it this far, but I am very grateful to be able to continue learning.

What do you love most about footwear design? I love the experimentation. Anything can be a shoe. You can take inspiration from anywhere. It's fun being able to play around with functionality and creativity.

How are you adjusting to online learning in light of COVID-19? I feel like I have maintained a healthy balance. Luckily, I am still able to work in addition to doing my online classes. It was weird at first but I feel like I've adjusted to it now.