Just over a decade ago, our co-founders Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard were named CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists—a milestone that propelled the brand forward and marked their entry into a design community committed to shaping the future of American fashion. Now, through our partnership with the CFDA Foundation, we're doing just that—paying it forward in a way that supports the next generation of design talent.

Together, we’ve launched the Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship, providing both financial support and hands-on industry experience to four standout students across four design categories. 

"Since joining the CFDA membership in 2014, Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard have strategically grown their business all while setting an example of how to give back to our industry in meaningful ways,” says Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. “We are excited to launch this new scholarship program with the Veronica Beard brand to help us further cement the future of American fashion."

In addition to a $50,000 award, each student has received a paid summer internship with our design team, offering firsthand exposure to the creative and technical sides of the business.

The application process began earlier this year, when undergraduate juniors in fashion design or textiles programs were invited to submit original collections to the CFDA, including moodboards, sketches, and final garments. From there, the CFDA selected three finalists in each of four design categories: denim, knits and sweaters, soft wovens, and tailoring.

The finalists then participated in a design challenge, creating capsule collections based on our Spring 2026 inspiration. These collections were presented to Swanson Beard, Miele Beard, and VP of Design Iris Lee, who evaluated each designer’s creativity, technical skill, and ability to connect with the Veronica Beard brand. “We were looking for designers who had a strong point of view, but also a strong understanding of the Veronica Beard brand ethos,” says Lee.

The four scholarship recipients joined the VB design team in July—not just as interns, but as collaborators. “We’re offering each designer the opportunity to understand the full life cycle of their work,” says Lee. “From the first sketch to fittings, to thinking about the customer, we want them to see how a design becomes reality. It’s not about making one perfect sample, it’s about creating something that resonates—in real life, with real people.”

While the interns are here to learn and gain real-world experience, they’re also making an impact. “It’s really nice having a fresh perspective and learning from the next generation of designers,” says Lee. “Seeing what they’re responding to, what excites them, and how they approach design—it’s incredibly inspiring.”

Stay tuned as we spotlight each student and take you behind the scenes of their internships in the weeks ahead.

Now through the end of September, VB Gives Back will be donating a portion of all VeronicaBeard.com orders to the CFDA Foundation to support the Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship. Join us in empowering the next generation of fashion talent.