JTATM - North Carolina State University

Young Menswear Association Recognizes COT Students
with Scholarship Awards

Kent Hester, Director of Student & Career Services

Although the NC State College of Textiles has always been known for strengths in Engineering, Chemistry, Management and the Sciences, the program has also entered the national spotlight for strengths in Design, Apparel, Merchandising, Sourcing and Branding as well.

The Young Menswear Association (YMA), one of the nation’s largest apparel and retail-oriented associations, has recognized three College of Textiles’ students for their work in the apparel and design fields by awarding them each a $5,000 scholarship.

Amanda Barrett, Chris Jordan and Kendall Smith were selected from applicants across the country as three of only about 40 scholarship recipients awarded nationally. Each applicant was required to submit an application, references and selected works from their portfolio before being awarded their scholarships.

2005 recipients of the Young Menswear Association Scholarship
(from left to right): Amanda Barrett, Chris Jordan, & Kendall Smith

In addition to the scholarship funds, each recipient was also given access to a placement agency through the YMA for assistance with finding internships with a New York City menswear company. The final reward that accompanies this scholarship is an invitation to the organization’s annual fundraising gala in New York City. Through this gala, the YMA raises funding for the next year of YMA Scholarships, honors the current scholarship recipients, and honors outstanding individuals within the menswear field for their accomplishments. In past years, individuals such as Geoffrey Beene, Robert Stock, Tommy Hilfiger and Sean “P Diddy” Combs have been honored during this event.

Amanda Barrett, Annie Albers Scholar and a senior double majoring in Textile Technology and Art & Design, will be interning with Sean John, Inc. this summer thanks to the extra benefits of this scholarships. Barrett states, “The YMA did a lot! They hired a staffing firm who had numerous contacts, set up our interviews for us, and made most of the initial arrangements.” Amanda would eventually like to have a career working with both textile design and fashion, so the YMA has provided a great first step. In addition the money and internship, Barrett added, “The whole thing has made me more aware of menswear and the potential for design in this area.”

Chris Jordan, a senior majoring in Textile and Apparel Management, plans to work in product development for an apparel company someday, so the connections this scholarship will offer will certainly benefit him in his pursuits. Chris claims, “I applied for the scholarship to gain more experience with portfolio presentation, as well as to display my strengths through apparel design.” Jordan will be interning with Armani Exchange’s design department, where he will be working with three other interns from across the country. Jordan adds, “I am really excited to work in New York this summer with other interns from schools with similar programs, so I can see where I stand with my design skills and apparel knowledge.”

Kendall Smith, a junior majoring in Textile and Apparel Management and Spanish, while minoring in Design, is a competitive member of the NC State Swim Team. Kendall applied for the scholarship because “it is an awesome chance to get my foot in the door in New York City, and get my name out, as well as to network during the New York City trip.” Smith will not be participating in a YMA internship due to a previously-planned study abroad trip to Segovia, Spain this coming summer, but still plans to make a career designing clothes, and possibly managing her own boutique someday. Smith exclaims, “I’m very honored and excited to represent the College of Textiles and NC State. Winning this scholarship gives me confidence that my designs and work are among the best of college students from all over the country.”

In 2003, two NC State Textile students, Allison Smith and Anderson Hicks, were selected as YMA Scholarship recipients. In 2004, three NC State Textile students, Erica Sinkovic, Jaclyn Harper and Brienne Powell, were awarded this prestigious scholarship. The knowledge, skills and talents of College of Textiles students are being recognized within the greater apparel, design, retail and fashion industries of the United States. Who knows what role our students will play in the future of this exciting and ever-changing field of textiles!