Carolina Herrera creates a scholarship for women experiencing racism

Carolina Herrera is strengthening its commitment to promote female talent in the fashion world in order to integrate women who suffer from racism in the workplace by partnering with the Fashion Institute of Technology, where a scholarship will be named after the Venezuelan designer.

"I can't tell you how excited I am to see my name on a scholarship at FIT, a New York institution to which I have always felt very close," said the Venezuelan designer on Wednesday.

With this agreement, the brand is accentuating its commitment to bringing female talent into the fashion world by partnering up with New York University's FIT Center for Social Justice, with the goal of putting "an end to the low representation of women of color in educational institutions."

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The firm pledges to "commit resources" to the Carolina Herrera Social Justice Scholarship Program, which will support a student during her four years of study at FIT with four annual donations starting in 2022.

"It is a world-renowned institution that makes dreams of a career in fashion come true," said the creative director of Carolina Herrera, Wes Gordon, who added that as a brand and company he is confident that this partnership will support and sustain "the future of the fashion house."

Gordon noted that the Fashion Institute, which houses the largest collection of the firm's archive in its museum, is an "important cornerstone of the American fashion industry and together we believe that education is the key to empowering the next generation of great creative women."

For her part, the president of FIT Dr. Joyce F. Brown said the designer has been "a great inspiration" to FIT students. 

"Over the years she has dedicated hours to the students and they, in turn, have always admired her," and she added that they are "proud"  that Casa Herrera has pushed for this social justice scholarship at FIT in her name.

Herrera will also support the student's professional transition, offering internship and learning opportunities throughout their education and upon completion of their studies.

"Carolina Herrera and FIT share many of the same values, but none is more important than this one: If you learn better, you do better, which is why education is so essential to empowerment," concluded the brand's creative director of beauty, Carolina A. Herrera.