Introducing Proenza Schouler x Gromek Institute Fashion Business Mentorship Cohort III
Spring 2026: January - May 2026
The Gromek Institute for Fashion Business is proud to announce the Proenza Schouler x Gromek Institute for Fashion Business Spring 2026 Mentorship Program Cohort.
Building on the success of the last two cohorts, we saw even more applications from talented students and recent alumni of The New School. 16 outstanding recipients have been selected to receive mentorship, furthering the Gromek Institute’s commitment to supporting the next generation of fashion business leaders.
Recipients have been paired with mentors who will support their career journeys, providing direct access to senior leaders at Proenza Schouler across key areas, including creative, design, sales, retail, merchandising, communications, development/production, finance, planning, logistics, human resources, operations, and more.
Meet the Spring 2026 Mentee Recipients:
Ahmrii Johnson - BFA, Fashion Design
Alameer Rosenje - AAS, Fashion Design
Cactus Hsu - MPS, Fashion Management
Cody Gallegos - MFA, Fashion Design & Society
Eli Zadik - MPS, Fashion Management
Euijin Lee - MFA, Design and Technology
Giselle Flores - BBA, Strategic Design & Management
Hanzade Barutcu - BFA, Fashion Design
Jenny Lai King - MPS, Fashion Management
Jodi Tay - BFA, Fashion Design
Justine Bohtlingk - BBA, Strategic Design & Management
Olufemi Yessoufou - MPS, Fashion Management
Paulina Gonzalez - MPS, Fashion Management
Rozella Kim - MPS, Fashion Management
Sabahat Javed - MFA, Fashion Design & Society
Meet the Spring 2026 Proenza Schouler Mentors
Mary Valentino - Sales/Merchandising/Retail
McKenna Semin - Merchandising
Caroline Filippon - Sales/Merchandising/Retail
Dario Gonzalez de la Fuente - Accessories Product Development
Adam Aronowitz - Knitwear Design
Mary Wrightson - Technical Design
Madeline Owen - Merchandising
Firas Zedan - Footwear Design/Development
Sarah Herring - Sales
Lexia Vadevoulis - RTW Product Development/Production
Jenni Rao - Human Resources
Juliana Bakumenko - Creative/Digital
Ruth Beinhacker - RTW Product Development/Production
KyleAnn Lilli - Planning
Mary Wang - Production/Development/Design
Verretta Andersen - Raw Materials
3rd Edition Fashion Business Mentorship Program
Spring 2026 - Applications are Now Closed.
We are thrilled to announce the 3rd Edition of the Proenza Schouler x Gromek Institute Fashion Business Mentorship Program for Spring 2026. We are pleased to welcome a new cohort of forward-thinking fashion business leaders.
This exclusive mentorship is open to all current students and recent alumni of The New School, offering a chance to gain career support, experience, and network opportunities from Proenza Schouler leadership. From design to sales, merchandising, and beyond, you will have the opportunity to connect with key decision-makers and industry experts.
Here is what you can expect:
1:1 mentorship with senior leaders across the Proenza Schouler organization.
A combination of virtual and in-person sessions to accommodate different learning styles and schedules.
Exclusive industry insights that will prepare you for your next big move in fashion.
This year, we’re offering 15 spots to students and alumni ready to take their skills, knowledge, and network to the next level. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience!
Hear from one of the mentees from the 2nd Edition: "The biggest piece of advice I would give to someone enrolling in this program is to take it by the horn and do everything you want, pitch the idea, and go for the opportunity. It was beneficial for me to be able to bring ideas to my mentor and have so much fun brainstorming together." Hajra Alvi
How to apply:
1. Complete the Google survey to express your interest: Apply Here
2. Submit your application by December 15th at 11:59 pm ET.
All applications are carefully reviewed, and a limited number of students will be selected to join this prestigious mentorship.
Have questions? We're here to help. Feel free to reach out with any questions at gromekinstitute@newschool.edu.
Please note that applications for this mentorship are now closed.
Proenza Schouler x Gromek Institute Cohort II
Spring 2025: January - May 2025
The Gromek Institute for Fashion Business is proud to announce the Proenza Schouler x Gromek Institute for Fashion Business Spring 2025 Mentorship Program Cohort.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural class, we saw a significant increase in applications from talented students and recent alumni of The New School. 17 outstanding recipients have been selected to receive mentorship, furthering the Gromek Institute’s commitment to supporting the next generation of fashion business leaders.
Recipients have been paired with mentors who will support their career journeys, providing direct access to senior leaders at Proenza Schouler across key areas, including creative, design, sales, retail, merchandising, communications, development/production, finance, planning, logistics, human resources, operations, and more.
Meet the Spring 2025 Recipients:
Alejandra Parra Parodi – MFA, Fashion Design and Society
Ana Margarida Feijão – MFA, Fashion Design and Society
Artur Grzeskiewicz – MFA, Fashion Design and Society
Audrey Nataf – MPS, Fashion Management
Betty Dao – BFA, Fashion Design
Dina Mahrouz – MFA, Fashion Design and Society
Elizabeth Bragg – BBA, Strategic Design & Management
Hajra Alvi – BBA, Strategic Design & Management
Karen Silitonga – BBA, Strategic Design & Management
Linda Cen – MPS, Fashion Management
Maanya Lakhiani – BBA, Strategic Design & Management
Mitch Kalungi – MFA, Fashion Design and Society
Richa Modi – BFA, Fashion Design
Taylor Savage – BBA, Strategic Design & Management
Tiffany Huang – MPS, Fashion Management
Vy Bui – MPS, Fashion Management
Yingdi Xiong – MFA, Fashion Design and Society
2nd Edition Fashion Business Mentorship Program
We’re thrilled to announce the 2nd Edition of the Proenza Schouler x Gromek Institute Fashion Business Mentorship Program for Spring 2025—and this time, we’re ready to welcome a new cohort of ambitious, forward-thinking students.
This exclusive mentorship is open to all students currently enrolled at The New School and Alumni, offering a rare chance to gain career support, experience and network opportunities from Proenza Schouler leadership. From design to sales, merchandising, and beyond, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with key decision-makers and industry experts.
Here’s what you can expect:
1:1 mentorship with senior leaders across the Proenza Schouler organization.
A combination of virtual and in-person sessions to accommodate different learning styles and schedules.
Exclusive industry insights that will prepare you for your next big move in fashion.
This year, we’re offering 12 spots to students ready to take their skills, knowledge, and network to the next level. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience!
Here is what a student from the 2024 1st edition PSxGI Fashion Business Mentorship Class shared about their experience:
How to apply:
Complete the Google survey to express your interest: Apply Here
Submit your application before January 26th at 11:59 pm ET.
All applications will be carefully reviewed, and 12 students will be selected to join this prestigious mentorship.
Have questions?
We’re here to help. Feel free to reach out with any questions at gromekinstitute@newschool.edu.
We’re so excited to see the next generation of changemakers step up for this incredible opportunity. Don’t miss your shot—apply today!
Applications are now closed.
“Being part of a community of like-minded individuals passionate about fashion has been incredibly enriching. It's been an amazing semester of growth and inspiration, and I'm grateful to have been part of the mentorship program!” Aisha Bikebayeva
1st Edition Fashion Business Mentorship Program
Spring 2024: January - May 2024
Teen Vogue's Generation Next, Class of 2023
Ahmrii Johnson, 23 | Parsons School of Design
Ahmrii Johnson draws inspiration from her Bahamian American background, fine art, and nature. Her designs “seamlessly blend elements of modernity, tradition, and novelty.” She is deeply committed to craftsmanship with an artistic sensibility, as well as sustainability and reducing environmental impact across her line. Johnson has been honored as a Virgil Abloh Post Modern Scholar, Runway of Dreams Scholar, Gucci Changemaker, Tommy Bahama featured artist, Met Design finalist, and a Research Award recipient of the New School, among other honors.
Mel Corchado, 26 | Parsons School of Design, The New School
Mel Corchado is a “Brooklyn-based, Boricua fashion designer” and CFDA Scholar whose designs explore how “fashion might confront narratives and shift consciousness in service of decolonization.” Corchado is currently focusing on “building alternatives to the fashion industrial complex through participatory research and design methods.”
Newark High School of Fashion & Design
Parsons x Newark School of Fashion & Design High School
The Parsons x NSFD collaboration is designed to offer NSFD students and faculty a forward-thinking approach to the Fashion & Design curriculum using Parsons’ Pedagogy and the guiding principles of sustainability, social justice, and collaboration through the fashion design process. Using Parsons’ progressive approach to education, students will build a strong foundation in fashion guided by social and environmental imperatives to create innovative, ethical, and responsible fashion. At completion, students will be equipped with the skills they need for an evolving field and intellectual development post high school.