Each year, students from Iowa State apply for the Young Menswear Association scholarship. The goal of the scholarship is to encourage gifted students to pursue careers in the apparel industry.

The organization donates $5,000 scholarships to students. Since 2006, $175,000 has been awarded to Iowa State apparel merchandising and design majors, said academic advisor Ann Thye.

Sally Stringham, senior in apparel, merchandising, and design and product development, won a $5,000 scholarship this year.

Recipients of the Young Menswear Association scholarship are invited to a reception, where they are able to connect and network with industry professionals. Stringham attended the event Jan. 7.

“The event was held in the grand ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City,” Stringham said, “It was great to be able to network with people in the apparel industry.”

The event also included awards for industry professionals. Some of these professionals included the CEOs of Men’s Wearhouse, the Toledos, the CEO of Levi’s, Mariano Rivera, and many more. In addition, there were many VIP guests who attended the event, including Vera Wang.

At the event, Stringham met many people in the apparel industry.

“I enjoyed getting to meet and talk with people who work in the industry,” she said. “It was great to be able to make contacts with them.”

The reception included dinner, keynote speakers and entertainment. Some of the speakers included Patti LaBelle, Ruben Toledo and Liz Smith.

Stringham described her overall experience as inspiring.

“Meeting all of the industry leaders and hearing all of the guest speakers speak was very inspiring and insightful,” Stringham said. “It was great to be able to meet people who have the same aspirations as you.”

Prior to the event, Stringham and other scholarship recipients attended a VIP cocktail hour, when the recipients met their scholarship mentor.

“I really enjoyed talking with my mentor, Mark Leslie, and getting to meet the other SVPs of Kohl’s,”Stringham said. 

Mark Leslie, senior vice president of Kohl’s, helped lead Stringham through her journey of completing the application. 

Stringham first applied for the YMA scholarship at the beginning of November. To apply for the scholarship, Stringham created a line for the athletic brand, Lululemon.

“They gave us a case study to do,” Stringham said, “Normally, it’s for a company who isn’t doing well this quarter.”

For her case study, Stringham created three mini collections for the brand, researched competitors, as well as created a marketing plan for her designs. She also created an inspiration board. 

In addition, Stringham was given a budget in which her designs had to stay within. Stringham said that they were given a $1 million budget, and they had to create an outline of how they would spend the money and the pricing for their pieces.

Stringham said that Thye, as well as her professors, gave great advice throughout the application process. One of her big tips for students interested in applying for the scholarship is to utilize one’s professors. In addition, the Internet and Parks Library are great resources for research and inspiration. 

“Definitely ask a lot of questions,” Stringham said. “And utilize your professors.”

For more information on the scholarship, visit www.ymafsf.org.