Imagine getting a one-on-one critique from renowned fashion designer Zac Posen … while you’re still in high school. That’s what happened on the last day of the Future Creators Program, a new six-week Precollege summer course at FIT, sponsored by Gap, Inc., and the Brotherhood Sister Sol (BroSis).
The students, New Yorkers who were 13 to 18 years old, were selected by BroSis, a community organization dedicated to uplifting Black and Latinx youth. They chose one of three creative tracks: Form (fashion design), Image (fine arts), or Digital (photography).
Regardless of the medium they chose, they were challenged to respond to one question: What does fashion mean today, through your own voice, identity, and cultural lens?
Through the six weeks, they studied the history of their medium, did research to help guide their process, learned professional techniques, and executed the work, all under the guidance of alumni instructors. The students not only created unique works of art, they explored these fields as potential careers and practiced confidence in presenting their ideas.
Jasonpaul McCarthy, executive director of Precollege Programs at FIT, was surprised at how engaged the students were. “They were very collaborative with each other,” he said. “They were very attentive—they wanted to learn as much as they could. And they were very expressive: They did not hold back.”
Posen, executive vice president and creative director of Gap Inc. and chief creative officer of Old Navy, took in each creation individually, asked each student about their interests and goals, and offered feedback. He encouraged the students to practice their art daily and curate a folder of inspiration images that would help guide their vision.
“Just keep playing,” he advised them. “Get messy. Don’t worry. There are no rules.”
“It has been an honor to partner with Gap and BroSis on this incredible program,” President Jason Schupbach said. “The generosity of time that Zac Posen shared with our precollege students will help shape their career path, especially at this early stage. This is another great example of FIT’s commitment to providing a world-class education and opportunities to talented students at every phase of their academic journeys.”
Read more about the Future Creators Program on Gap Inc.’s newsroom.