Fashion Student Makes Finals for the Gucci CFDA Changemakers Scholarship

PhotoGennings and her collection
Kyndal Gennings, a senior, has made waves with her fashion collection, "A Jubilant Legacy."

Columbia College Chicago is pleased to announce that Fashion Studies senior Kyndal Gennings has been recognized as a finalist for the Gucci CFDA Changemakers Scholarship. The winner of the scholarship will fund one award for up to $20,000. The award seeks to foster equitable, diverse, and inclusive features in the American fashion industry with a scholarship  award for one woman of color or a person identifying as a woman entering her senior year of design school. The winner is determined on the basis of professional potential as well as an evaluation of the applicant's talent and financial need. The goal of the scholarship, which also comes with industry mentorship, is to promote and advance student growth with the aim of supporting future design leaders within a global fashion system. 

Gennings' essay supported the themes of her senior fashion collection, "A Jubilant Legacy," and explored what progress means to her. "A Jubilant Legacy," as Gennings has said, "is intended to serve Black women, who have been neglected and have had to be their own source of support." The collection features bold colors and designs, and juxtaposes a retro aesthetic with contemporary and culturally comprehensive themes. Gennings' work was supported by Fashion Studies Chair and Professor Colbey Reid, Associate Chair and Associate Professor Dana Connell, Associate Professor of Design Kevin Henry, Associate Professor of Fashion Studies Justin LeBlanc, and Assistant Professor in Humanities, History, and Social Sciences Melanie Chambliss.

Questions about the Gucci CFDA Changemakers Scholarship can be directed to Dana Connell at dconnell@colum.edu

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