Beyond the Classroom: What Our Creative Futures Scholars Learned This Summer

For fashion design students, some of the most valuable lessons happen beyond the classroom. Hands-on experience gives them the opportunity to learn from industry professionals, put ideas into practice, and see what it takes to bring a collection to life. That’s why a paid summer internship at Veronica Beard is an integral part of the VB x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship—giving each scholar the chance to build on their education while gaining real-world insight into the industry.  

This summer, our four 2026 Creative Futures Scholars—Madison Valenta, Chris Ortiz, Jane Lee, and Summer Kubota—joined our denim, soft wovens, knitwear, and tailoring design teams at our NYC headquarters. From working on upcoming collections and attending fittings to developing their own designs for production, they became part of the day-to-day process, learning the ins and outs of the business—and the role a designer plays within it.  

The experience gave each scholar a new perspective on their craft. For Madison, that meant discovering the technical nuances behind denim—a material she hadn’t worked with before. “I really fell in love with denim because it has a lot to do with science—every stitch, the color of the threads, the wash,” she says. “It’s a different eye.” In tailoring, Summer learned to balance her own perspective with the commercial considerations of the business. “It teaches you to think about how you can be creative, but within certain bounds,” she says. 

The scholars weren’t simply observing—they were given opportunities to contribute, too. In fittings, Chris was encouraged to weigh in alongside leaders on the team—and even saw his suggestions make their way into the final product. “The way I was given a chance to speak, regardless of my experience, meant a lot,” he says. “It showed me that my ideas have value.” 

Beyond the skills they developed, the internship also helped them grow more confident in their own paths. Being awarded this scholarship affirmed Jane as she learns to trust her instincts as a designer. “Winning with my second-ever knitting project showed me that I need to expect more from myself while also believing I am capable of bigger things,” she says. 

As they return to school for their senior year, all four leave with new skills, new perspectives, and a clearer sense of where they’re headed next.