During Hispanic Heritage Month, iconic American women's fashion brand Anne Klein and Golden Globe Award winning actress Gina Rodriguez, the new face of Anne Klein, teamed up with the Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) to grant a handful of Latina design students' wishes, including a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a commemorative t-shirt sold at Macy's and AnneKlein.com with profits benefiting their peers and future design students through the FSF organization.

FSF Scholar, recent graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, and Puerto Rico native, Valeria Nicole created the winning design which is now available for purchase on AnneKlein.com and at Macy's stores nationwide with 100% of the profits from the sale of the T-shirt going to the Fashion Scholarship Fund, a national non-profit whose mission is to support the careers of the country's most talented young students from all fashion and business disciplines. Valeria is also featured with Gina Rodriguez wearing her design for Anne Klein's national campaign to support the initiative.

In addition, Anne Klein and Gina Rodriguez hosted an intimate lunch at the Cecconi's in Los Angeles in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month for local FSF Scholars. Attendees included Latina Scholars - Diana Limon-Herrera, Paola Ochoa, and Karina Sanchez - who are currently enrolled at FSF Member Schools in the Los Angeles area. 

During an inspiring and candid conversation, Rodriguez shared how excited she was to share with the Scholars details about "my journey, what I've been through, the different challenges, obstacles and hopefully, the successes that can help explore, expand their perspective and help them on their own journey. I personally feel like you have to send the elevator back down. When you've been given opportunities, it is really nothing but more than a blessing to be able to do that for others," she added. 

"Our mission at Anne Klein is to partner with, highlight and celebrate women who are positively changing the world and moving culture forward through a balance of image and impact," said Jameel Spencer, CMO in Residence for Anne Klein. "Gina's ability to speak first-hand on her personal experiences as it relates to being a woman and Latina working in front of and behind the camera in Hollywood, delivers an empowering message for young aspiring designers and artists and we are thrilled to have her support our partnership the Fashion Scholarship Fund." 

"We are honored to partner with Anne Klein to provide valuable hands-on experience for our Scholars through the Anne Klein x FSF Design Challenge, and we are incredibly grateful to Gina Rodriguez – who so many of our Scholars look up to – for sharing her story, experience, and learnings with our community," said Peter Arnold, Executive Director of the FSF.

To shop the commemorative t-shirt and learn more about Anne Klein's Fashion Scholarship Fund partnership visit: www.anneklein.com.

FASHIONADO