The CFDA partnered with Veronica Beard to award four design students the Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship and a summer internship with the brand’s design team, all part of the Veronica Beard Gives Back initiative.

One designer was selected for each category: Lena Alibrio for denim, Samira Koehler for knitwear, Giorgio Parolini Arroyo for soft wovens, and Athmiha Saravanen for tailoring. Their internship began in June, and after a successful few months collaborating with the design team, the brand hosted a cocktail at its flagship store followed by a panel moderated by CFDA CEO and President Steven Kolb.

The cocktail took place Thursday at the Veronica Beard boutique on Madison Avenue uptown. Guests were greeted with champagne to toast the culmination of the interns’ summer journey with the brand. As they mingled through the store, attendees explored the world of Veronica Beard and took in its signature pieces. 

“There they are — the Veronicas are here,” a guest exclaimed excitedly as Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard made a poised entrance, greeting colleagues and friends.

High chairs were placed along the walls and drawn toward the center of the boutique, shaping an intimate space for the panel to begin. Each intern took a seat as the Veronicas joined them and captured the room’s attention. Guests gathered close, ready for the conversation to unfold.

Veronica Swanson opened by acknowledging and congratulating the four recipients of the VB Scholarship. “It has been such a pleasure to work with the four of you. Our team loves you, and your contributions have been many,” she said.

Veronica Miele reflected on their own journey, recalling that she and Miele once sat in a similar position to the four designers when they were finalists in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund 12 years ago. “We were scared and excited, first chosen as part of the top 50 and then making it to the top 10 — just as we vetted each of you and selected you individually,” she said.

“What you could learn here was so much more than in a school environment — it was, hopefully, holistic. You could be creative and thoughtful about the brand and how it is merchandised and created. And here you are, and it’s full circle,” she added, adding that each intern designed a piece for the upcoming spring collection, which will be shown during Fashion Week.

The Veronicas introduced each intern and their background: Athmiha from India, Giorgio from Mexico, Lena from Connecticut, and Samira from Germany. Steven then incorporated himself into the conversation as moderator, noting the international makeup of the group.

Through Steven’s questions, the interns spoke with honesty and warmth, giving the audience a firsthand look at their journey over the summer.

Steven: What was the experience of rotating between departments like in terms of shaping your growth as a designer?

Lena: It was very interesting to see how everything comes together, even though each team works separately. Different groups specialize in certain areas, but in the end it all has to connect. Watching how inspiration and concepts are developed and then blending that with your own perspective for the customer was an incredible experience.

Steven: What was it like to have unprecedented access to designers, founders and other senior leaders on the team?

Athmiha: These are genuine people who are rooting for young designers like us to succeed. They want to see our growth. I’ve especially learned so much from them. It’s amazing how it becomes a real relationship, and that validation is something I truly cherish.

Steven: From your perspective and your generation, what do you imagine the future of fashion should look like?

Giorgio: I’d love to see people become more in tune with themselves. Our generation spends so much time on our phones that everything can start to feel monotonous. I’d like variety and personality to play a bigger role in fashion.

Steven: What is one thing that surprised you about working with the team—something you didn’t expect?

Samira: I don’t think I met a single person at Veronica Beard who wasn’t incredibly genuine and kind. It really showed me what a healthy work environment looks like. Everyone was so supportive of one another, and it was inspiring to learn not just from designers but from people across the company.