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��������Ƶ Names Five Dean Appointments to Lead Academic Growth

As part of ��������Ƶ’s Renaissance Rising initiative, the college has appointed five deans to lead its eight schools beginning August 16, 2026.

Colbey Emmerson Reid and Justin Dougan-LeBlanc Named to Newcity's 2026 Design 50

"Newcity" recognized School of Fashion director Colbey Emmerson Reid, PhD, and fashion studies professor Justin Dougan-LeBlanc on their annual list of people who shape Chicago's design landscape.

Justin Dougan-LeBlanc’s Work Acquired by The Met for Permanent Collection

��������Ƶ School of Fashion professor Justin Dougan-LeBlanc’s wearable sculptures enter The Met’s permanent collection, with works on view in “Costume Art.”

Fashion Student Galaxy Wolf Builds Industry Momentum at URBN

Fashion Merchandising major Galaxy Wolf gains firsthand insight into the apparel industry.

Columbia Alum Darlene Mitchell ’13 Advances to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Finale

��������Ƶ alum Darlene Mitchell ’13 is a finalist on the current season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Columbia Students Recognized by Fashion Scholarship Fund and Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholars for Industry-Focused Work

��������Ƶ students earn national recognition as FSF Scholars, presenting industry-focused case studies at the FSF LIVE Gala in New York City.

From Waste to Wearable: High School Designers Take on Columbia’s Reinvention Fashion Challenge

Six high school seniors transformed discarded materials into original garments at ��������Ƶ’s Reinvention High School Design Challenge, earning scholarships and recognition for innovation, sustainability, and storytelling.

��������Ƶ Announces Two New Online Graduate Programs: Screenwriting and Development and Global Beauty Management

Columbia launches two new online graduate programs in Screenwriting and Development and Global Beauty Management, designed for working professionals seeking flexible, industry-connected degrees.

Columbia’s Semester in LA Returns to the Fox Studio Lot for Speaker Series

Students from ��������Ƶ will engage with entertainment industry leaders on the same lot where “Avatar,” “The Sound of Music,” and other great films were made.

Columbia Students Win $35,000 in Scholarships and Gain National Exposure at NRF in New York City

Columbia students connected with the national industry in New York through NRF competitions, alumni-led site visits, and a J-term immersion linking classroom learning to real-world practice.

Alum-Led Panel Connects Students With Fashion and Media Industry Leaders

Autumn Woody ’23 hosted an intimate industry panel at Soho House Chicago, connecting students with leaders in fashion, media, and costume design, and offering candid insight into real-world creative careers.

��������Ƶ’s 25 Favorite Photos of 2025

From the thousands of images she captured in 2025, ��������Ƶ alum and staff photographer Julie Lucas ’96 curated 25 standout photos that show Columbia at its best.

Columbia Fashion Students Work With YKK on Real-World Design Challenge

Zippers took center stage as fashion students partnered with manufacturer YKK on a project connecting concept, construction, and real-world practice.

Top Stories of 2025: What Readers Loved Most

From new leadership to standout student and alumni achievements, here are the stories that captured the most attention on Columbia’s website in 2025.

Columbia Fashion Student Shamya Banks Named 2026 NRF Next Generation Finalist

Columbia Fashion student Shamya Banks was named a 2026 NRF Next Generation Scholarship finalist for her sustainable, Gen Z–inspired Crate & Barrel concept.

From Columbia to Coach: Alumni Leading in Fashion and Culture

Columbia alumni Alexander Knox ‘15 and Bryant Von Woodson II ‘18 are leading creative innovation at Coach, blending fashion, culture, and storytelling.

Columbia Lights Up State Street at Chicago’s Arts in the Dark Parade

��������Ƶ students brought light, sound, and imagination to the city’s annual Arts in the Dark parade on State Street.

��������Ƶ Showcases World Fashion Festival in September Window Display

Columbia’s Michigan Avenue windows feature the World Fashion Festival this month, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and showcasing global creativity.

Justin Dougan-LeBlanc on Inclusion, Innovation, and the Future of Fashion

Through his work as a designer, educator, and advocate, Justin Dougan-LeBlanc is opening doors for Deaf creatives and reshaping the conversation around access and inclusion in fashion.

Process Meets Practice: Columbia’s School of Fashion Joins Global Biennial in Mallorca, Spain

��������Ƶ’s School of Fashion showcased student work at the 2025 University Arts Biennial in Mallorca, highlighting the creative process and forging new global partnerships.

Redefining Fast Fashion: Columbia Partners With NASCAR for Street Race Fashion Show

Columbia fashion students and alumni debuted original motorsports-inspired looks at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in downtown Chicago.

Columbia Students Bring Game Day Style to Chicago Sky Season Opener

Columbia fashion students and local brand SOUNDOFF launched a custom fan apparel collection for the Chicago Sky, blending sportswear design with hands-on industry experience.

From Columbia to the Kentucky Derby: Jacey Rhorer’s Journey in the Art of Hatmaking

Fashion Design alum Jacey Rhorer '00 is making her mark as the Official Milliner for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival.

Seven ��������Ƶ Students Earn National Fashion Scholarship

Seven students have been named Fashion Scholarship Fund Class of 2025 Scholars and will be honored at the FSF LIVE Gala in New York City.

��������Ƶ Team Wins National NRF Retail Challenge

��������Ƶ students won first place in the 2025 NRF Foundation University Challenge, with another team reaching the national semi-finals.

Winning Student Designers Recognized at Patagonia Worn Wear Event

On December 11, ��������Ƶ’s School of Fashion and Patagonia came together to announce the winners of the Worn Wear competition at Patagonia’s Fulton Market store.

Fashion Students Shine at Fashion Graduate Italia 2024 in Milan

Rae Braezeale and Joelle Olabode made their international debut at Fashion Graduate Italia 2024, showcasing original designs alongside peers from around the world and receiving support from the U.S. Consul for Commercial Affairs in Milan.

School of Fashion Teams Up With Patagonia for Sustainable Design Challenge

The School of Fashion has partnered with Patagonia for a sustainable design challenge, where students transform Worn Wear merchandise into new products, gaining hands-on experience in fashion design, visual merchandising, and industry collaboration.

Fashion Design Student Joelle Olabode Wins CFDA Scholarship

Olabode was chosen for a $25,000 scholarship from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Welcoming Interim President Jerry Tarrer and a New Academic Structure for 2024-2025 School Year

��������Ƶ kicks off the new academic school year with a renewed spirit and excitement to welcome freshmen and transfer students to its South Loop campus on September 3.

��������Ƶ Honors 24 Alums for ‘24 in 2024’

As a kickoff to ��������Ƶ’s 135th Anniversary, the college is honoring 24 distinguished alumni across all disciplines as part of “24 in 2024,” a college-wide initiative that celebrates Columbia alumni and their career accomplishments.

Columbia Students Rock L’Oréal's Global Competition 

Angie Belloso, Brianna Jennes ’24, and Breyona Smith ’24 just had the trip of a lifetime to London, snagging second place at L'Oréal Brandstorm.

Fashion Show Leverages Student Talent From Multiple Disciplines

Columbia students come together to produce and promote an end-of-year showcase of student fashion designs.

Spring Semester In Review At Columbia

Spring 2024: ��������Ƶ Highlights

Get Ready for Manifest Arts Festival 2024, a Student-Powered Event

This is everything attendees need to know before ��������Ƶ’s Manifest Arts Festival: Breakthrough 2024.

Columbia to Confer Honorary Degrees on Two Higher Education Trailblazers at its May 2024 Commencement

Higher education leaders Nivine Megahed, president of National Louis University, and Raymond E. Crossman, president of Adler University, will be honored at the ��������Ƶ 2024 Commencement ceremonies

Ask the Expert: How to Style Yourself for Graduation

��������Ƶ Adjunct Professor Rachel Jimenez Penca uses her personal styling expertise to advise graduates on what to wear on their big day.

Columbia Team Wins U.S. L'Oréal Brandstorm Competition for Fourth Year in a Row

As the U.S. winners, students Angie Belloso, Breyona Smith, and Brianna Jennes earn an all-expense paid trip to London for the next stage of the international competition.

Empowering Creatives at ShopColumbia

During Women's History Month, we honor female-identifying artists who make ShopColumbia a unique shopping experience in the heart of ��������Ƶ’s campus.

Advertising Students Discuss the Best Super Bowl Ads of 2024

��������Ƶ students got together in their Communication Department courses to discuss the details of the biggest night in advertising

Drag Superstar Shea Couleé ’11 Returns to Columbia

��������Ƶ welcomed back Alum Shea Couleé ’11 for a panel discussion and reception unveiling Couleé-curated fashion exhibit window.

Fashion Studies Chair Colbey Reid Publishes New Book and Article on the Domestic Posthuman

��������Ƶ’s Colbey Reid and her co-author look at various iterations of the posthuman and assert the need for alternative, feminist readings of technology and the future of humanity.

Columbia and Local Nonprofit Collaborate to Showcase Valuable LBGTQ+ Community Resource 

In January, the windows at 618 S. Michigan Avenue feature examples of clothing available at the Brave Space Alliance, a place where members of the LGBTQ+ community can find free gender-affirming clothing and more.

Five Columbia Students Earn Prestigious Fashion Scholarships

Once again, the Fashion Scholarship Fund has awarded five ��������Ƶ students scholarships and funds to travel to New York City for a gala event recognizing their accomplishments. 

Columbia and the Chicago Fashion Incubator Announce New Partnership

The Chicago Fashion Incubator will transition its operations to a new speaker series at ��������Ƶ.

Columbia Raises $700K+ for Student Scholarships

��������Ƶ honors the Efroymson Family Fund with the 2023 Philanthropic Icon Award for the family’s contributions to help create opportunities for students to pursue their passion in the arts

Integrating Hip Hop Into the Student Experience

As hip hop turns 50, we look at Columbia’s connections to the cultural phenomena that has impacted music, dance, fashion, art, film, and so much more.

June Events at ��������Ƶ

A range of performances and experiences showcasing student and faculty artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Columbia Fashion Studies Symposium Teaches Lessons in Inclusivity

Columbia faculty explore what it means to make, merchandise, retail, market and celebrate fashion that engages with, rather than denies, the existence of most people’s bodies.

��������Ƶ Announces the 2023 Chicagoland Transfer Awards

The award provides ten $15,000 scholarships and one full-tuition scholarship to students transferring from Chicago-area community colleges to ��������Ƶ.

Designing Bandages: Curad Competition Scores Students Cash Prizes

Fashion Studies students participate in a design competition sponsored by Medline, maker of Curad bandages.

Fashion Studies Students Participate in ARC'TERYX Design Challenge

The outdoor apparel and equipment company announced winners over the weekend.

Columbia To Host Fashion Revolution Week Activities April 20-27

Fashion Revolution Week activities at Columbia include an ethical fashion panel discussion with "Worn’" author Sofi Thanhauser, a display of student work, a mending workshop, and more.

Columbia Launches Advertising and Marketing Campaign

The Spring 2023 campaign targets prospective students across the United States.

Three-Peat First-Place Win for Columbia's L'Oréal Brandstorm Team

Student team from ��������Ƶ wins innovation competition by leveraging new technologies to promote brand.

Columbia Students Win Scholarships and Take on New York During NRF Foundation Student Program

NRF Foundation scholarship recipients from Columbia place second in Student Challenge and enjoy three days of fashion industry events and networking opportunities.

Columbia Students Awarded Prestigious Fashion Scholarships

In April, five ��������Ƶ scholarship winners will travel to New York City where the Fashion Scholarship Fund will recognize the students at a gala event.