On Tuesday evening, Veronica Beard and the CFDA Foundation celebrated the Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship Class of 2026—Madison Valenta, Chris Ortiz, Jane Eunchong Lee, and Summer Kubota—at the brand’s new SoHo boutique in New York City.

Now in its second year, CFDA’s partnership with VB Gives Back continues its commitment to supporting the next generation of fashion talent. Launched in 2025, the Creative Futures Scholarship provides emerging designers with support to pursue their education while gaining valuable experience as they begin building careers in fashion.

This year, four exceptional students were named Creative Futures Scholars. In addition to receiving scholarship support, each scholar joined Veronica Beard for a paid summer internship at the brand’s New York City headquarters, offering hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn alongside its team.

The celebration featured a panel discussion with the 2026 Creative Futures Scholars and CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb, highlighting their creative journeys and aspirations for the future.

Photos by BFA.