Published
Feb 9, 2022
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FIT and Stella & Dot launch student designed accessories collection

Published
Feb 9, 2022

Stella & Dot and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) announced on Monday Yeongran Hong, as the first-place winner of the Stella & Dot x FIT Style Forward challenge. 

FIT and Stella & Dot launch student designed accessories collection. - Stella & Dot


As the winner, Hong had the opportunity to design the Stella & Dot x FIT Collection — a three-piece jewelry collection — now available for sale on StellaDot.com. Hong will receive royalty for her design being sold.

“I feel incredibly fortunate that I could participate in the entire process, from design development to sample production, with the help and support of Stella & Dot. The lessons learned and guidance I received are invaluable and I will carry them with me throughout my career,” said Hong, who hails from South Korea. 

Participants in the Style Forward challenge submitted mood boards and videos for consideration. Finalists were selected to present their designs to a panel of judges from Stella & Dot and FIT. 

The second prize winner, Brianna Jones, and third-place winner Rachelle Huntley, equally benefitted from in-depth design feedback sessions from Stella & Dot and FIT faculty member Robin Baxter, Assistant Professor in Fashion Business Management, who served as the faculty mentor, as well as gained valuable career experience.

“Collaborating with the impressive student designers and artists at FIT has been an honor and truly represents what we stand for here at Stella & Dot by providing a space to nurture independence,” said CEO and founder of Stella & Dot Family of Brands, Jessica Herrin. 

“It is incredibly inspiring to see the work these young students have put forth to create an unforgettable collection and I am so proud of the capsule collection that Yeongran– has envisioned, designed and executed alongside Stella & Dot. Working alongside our dedicated collaborators such as FIT, we are achieving our goal of empowering the younger generation and laying the groundwork for future opportunities.”

The collaboration marks the first time Stella & Dot has engaged a college student to design a collection. The collaboration is also in line with Stella & Dot’s belief that women deserve independence and such independence is achieved by providing opportunities for women to thrive and give back to their community. Stella & Dot collaborated with FIT to cultivate creativity, provide experiential learning, and design mentorship. 

"With its emphasis on hands-on mentoring, this Stella & Dot competition represents the epitome of experiential learning, which is a pillar of an FIT education," added Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president at Fashion Institute of Technology. "Surely all of the participants benefited greatly from the experience, but for the winners, it was truly transformational.  Stella & Dot shares FIT's commitment to empowering young women from diverse backgrounds, and I am deeply grateful for the exceptional opportunity this competition offered to them.”

The Stella & Dot x FIT Collection is available now at StellaDot.com.

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