Giving
Help support this program
The Parsons Disabled Fashion Student Program is accepting three students, with a goal of expanding into a larger cohort. Disabled people are inherent innovators with an unequivocal creativity for design.
By investing in this program, you have the opportunity to invest in the innovation of the industry.
This talent deserves more space and opportunities in fashion. Diversify the industry and provide equity for those who haven’t been given a chance to show their talent.
Image Description: An art-style portrait of Aaron Rose Philip, a Black woman seated in her power wheelchair, in a Fall/Winter 2020 campaign for Moschino. She is wearing a black leather moto jacket layered over a gray oversized hoodie dress layed on the armrests of her chair with punk-style bracelet accessories and a textured leather handbag. Her hair is styled in an elaborate tall updo with braided elements. Bold, overlaid text reads "Moschino."
Support the Disabled Fashion Student Program
We welcome conversations about opportunities to give financial donations or in-kind support for this program. Parsons invites those interested in contributing to the advancement of diversity, creativity, and accessibility in the fashion industry to contact our Development Officer, Nicole Randle.
Nicole Randle
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Thank you to current funders and partners
We are grateful to our brilliant partners and funders who have helped bring this dream to life.
Funders
"People with disabilities want and deserve nice-looking things and we deserve to be in the driver's seat, as creators in the space. Supporting designers with disabilities is both how we drive the narrative shift we desire to see in the world about us and our potential, and also ensure that the economic opportunities center those most impacted. The Ford Foundation is over the moon to support this initiative and cannot wait to see what comes of it."
Rebecca Cokley, Program Officer,
U.S. Disability Rights Ford Foundation
“H&M is extremely proud to partner with Parsons to create a scholarship fund for students with disabilities interested in pursuing careers in fashion. This is an extension of our work in Inclusion & Diversity designed to create a more equitable and inclusive experience for our customers and communities. By creating more inclusive spaces in our industry through the H&M Fund, the impact of our work will be expanded and amplified in ways that are unimaginable. We look forward to announcing and welcoming the first cohort of students.”
Donna Dozier Gordon,
Head of Inclusion and Diversity
H&M Region Americas
Partners
“Investing in disability is investing in creativity and innovation. Today’s Disabled fashion students hold the key to creating a better and more sustainable fashion industry. LaVant Consulting, Inc is delighted to watch the next generation of Disabled creatives thrive in the Parsons Disabled Fashion Student Program.”
LaVant Consulting, Inc.
“Tilting the Lens’ mission is to build an accessible and equitable world. The first step to achieving this is acknowledging the systemic barriers that have made it impossible for Disabled people to thrive and achieve. The Parsons Disabled Fashion Fund Program seeks to eradicate those barriers - both through funding, education, mentorship, and most importantly, building community. We are enormously proud to be co-founders of this Programme and looking forward to guiding and learning from students, faculty, and the wider industry.”
Sinéad Burke, Founder and CEO,
Tilting the Lens
We invite applications by March 15, 2024 for the Fall 2024 semester
Apply now for the Disabled Fashion Student Program.