When Green Hope High School graduate and Savannah College of Art and Design student Karly Hankin applied for the prestigious YMA Fashion Scholarship, she never expected to win.
But Hankin, a junior majoring in fashion merchandising and marketing, was chosen from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants to receive the coveted award.
"I was completely shocked when I found out I won the scholarship," she says. "I couldn't stop smiling for days. There were so many cuts and reviews through just [Savannah College of Art and Design] students, and the numbers kept dwindling down, but I made it through. I never imagined I would actually be selected by SCAD and then by YMA nationwide."
The scholarship is presented each year by the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund, a national nonprofit association of influential members of the fashion community.
Students must be selected by their school to apply, and they must meet minimum grade-point average requirements. As part of the competition, Hankin submitted a project that included a 12-by-12-inch model of a boutique. Her work on the project and application reflected some of her career and school interests.
"At SCAD, some of my favorite classes are Private Label Product Development and Retail Buying," she says. "I'm really interested in fashion PR, trend forecasting and visual merchandising."
During the award dinner, Hankin drew the attention of fashion legend Diane von Furstenberg. The encounter solidified her commitment to a career in fashion.
"When she came over to the student table, she said 'I know that dress, that's my dress. Let's take a picture,'" says Hankin. "I couldn't believe it. At that moment, and at the awards dinner, I felt like it was my first steps into my career in the fashion industry."
A knitting party
"Knitscene," a knitting magazine, will launch its Winter/Spring 2011 issue with a party 6:30 p.m. Friday at DownTown Knits in Apex. Editor Lisa Shroyer and fiber artist Esther Rodgers will show all the garments featured in the new issue. DownTown Knits is at 122 N. Salem St., Apex. 249-5638, downtownknits apex.blogspot.com
A red letter day
Each February, the American Heart Association celebrates American Heart Month with its Go Red for Women campaign, which calls attention to heart health. Macy's has joined the campaign with its Wear Red sale, Wednesday through Sunday. Customers wearing red - from lipstick to shoes - will get 20 percent off most merchandise, and 10 percent off sale and clearance watches and jewelry. For those who forget to don red, Macy's will sell Go Red for Women red dress pins for $2, with all proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association. macys.com
Give someone a lift
Soma Intimates, which has stores in Cary Towne Center and The Streets at Southpoint, will collect new and gently used bras to be donated to needy women through Feb. 14. The lingerie chain will give the gently used bras to local homeless shelters and breast cancer support groups. New bras will go to Dress for Success, a nonprofit that provides career wear for disadvantaged women. Non-wearable bras will be sent to The Bra Recyclers, a textile recycling group. soma.com/givebras
