Iconic Fashion Brand Styles Spike Fellows for Success
Spike Lee’s commitment to nurturing Black talent extends far beyond the camera lens. In an innovative cross-industry collaboration, the renowned director’s fellowship program, Spike Fellows, has joined forces with iconic fashion house Ralph Lauren.
The partnership aims to provide aspiring filmmakers from the program with professional attire, equipping them to make a lasting impression as they embark on their careers.
“What makes this so meaningful is it’s rooted in relationships where all parties share an unwavering commitment to transformative opportunities for Black talent,” said Jayson Council, Head of Culture at Gersh agency which co-created Spike Fellows.
Individual Styling Sessions Uplift Inaugural Fellows
Ralph Lauren enthusiastically embraced the sartorial initiative, conducting personalized styling sessions for the program’s first cohort. The brand curated sophisticated looks from its collections, ensuring participants exude poise and confidence.
This aligns with Ralph Lauren’s dedication to empowering the next generation through mentorship. All five inaugural Spike Fellows have since secured full-time employment at Gersh after their eight-week paid fellowships in New York and Los Angeles.
“Big Thanks to Ralph Lauren for blessing our HBCU program with fashion for the seasons,” said Lee. “We and the students truly appreciate it.”
Atlanta HBCU Students Next to Experience Transformative Program
Building on its initial success, the Spike Fellows program is now accepting applications for its second cohort. This opportunity targets undergraduates from Atlanta’s esteemed Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Morehouse, Spelman and Clark Atlanta.
The renowned institutions within the Atlanta University Center Consortium nurture a rich talent pool aspiring to entertainment industry careers. With Ralph Lauren’s continued support, the students will be styled for greatness.
As the second Spike Fellows cohort takes shape, this unique partnership elevates marginalized voices. Industry heavyweights are fostering access, propelling a new generation of creatives to the forefront.
