For those without industry connections, fashion design might feel like an unattainable career path, no matter how hard you work. Veronica Beard wants to change that.
The New York City-based brand partnered with the CFDA to launch the Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship, an initiative that provides financial support and industry experience to four college juniors across the design categories of denim, knitwear, soft wovens, and tailoring. Co-founders Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard know the power of the CFDA to propel young designers’ careers. In 2013, they were named CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists, a turning point in their brand’s trajectory. Since then, Veronica Beard has dressed the likes of Caitlin Clark and Meghan Markle in its tailored separates, timeless denim, and all-occasion dresses.
The recipients of the Creative Futures Scholarship were awarded $50,000 to fund their design careers. The cherry on top? They also spent the summer working paid internships with the Veronica Beard design team.
Below, get to know the four recipients of the 2025 Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship. Their game-changing work shows what’s possible when we eliminate fashion’s barriers to entry.
Name: Lena Alibrio
School: Marist College
Specialty: Denim
Lena Alibrio hails from Glastonbury, Connecticut, and her denim designs are inspired by the unforgettable silhouettes of ’90s Ralph Lauren shows. She contributed to the design process for Veronica Beard’s Fall 2026 denim offerings, working hands-on with sketches, washes, and structured pieces. Through her internship, Alibrio took her fashion knowledge to the next level, learning all that goes into bringing a design from a studio floor to a customer’s hands.
Name: Samira Koehler
School: POLIMODA, Central Saint Martins, Fashion Institute of Technology
Specialty: Knitwear
German-born Samira Koehler’s design philosophy is informed by her experiences at fashion schools around the world. She infuses knitwear with nods to rebirth, emotions, and the evolution of gender expression. During her internship at Veronica Beard, she contributed across the design process, from experimenting with pattern placement on sweaters to attending prototyping meetings.
Name: Giorgio Parolini Arroyo
School: Fashion Institute of Technology
Specialty: Soft wovens
Born and raised in Mexico City with Italian-Mexican ancestry, Giorgio Parolini Arroyo views fashion design as a cultural responsibility. He honors his roots with designs that emphasize traditional Mexican craftsmanship, and he plans to build Mexico’s first luxury fashion house, in hopes of uplifting the country’s garment industry and preserving centuries-old artisan techniques. At Veronica Beard, Parolini Arroyo brought his heritage-driven perspective to the soft wovens team, where he gained a deeper understanding of how a collection comes together.
Name: Athmiha Saravanen
School: Fashion Institute of Technology
Specialty: Tailoring
Athmiha Saravanen grew up surrounded by textiles in her native Karur, India. Today, she predominantly studies sportswear, where her passion for precise tailoring sets her apart in the space. Her work reflects her personal experiences, and she brings confidence to the forefront of every garment she designs. During her internship, she created artwork and sketches for upcoming collections, working closely alongside the tailoring team.
