First-Round of Competition Launches on Aug. 29; Winner To Be Announced in January 2026 & Downloadable Assets Are HERE
NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Roc Nation and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) announce an exciting partnership on a student design competition aimed at empowering and uplifting the next generation of fashion designers. This initiative brings together two iconic New York institutions, underscoring the city’s legacy as a global capital of culture and innovation. Fashion has long been inseparable from music, adding a powerful visual language that amplifies and defines the sound, transforming an auditory experience into a full expression of identity and artistry.
Starting on Aug. 29 for the Fall 2025 semester, students enrolled at FIT will be invited to create, design and submit clothing capsules for the chance to win a $20K prize – representing the approximate cost of tuition. The winning student will also have their winning concept developed into an exclusive Roc Nation 2026, limited-edition collection.
“This initiative is designed to identify and invest in FIT’s brightest minds to help them shape the future of fashion,” Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez said. “Our hope is to provide students with real-world industry experience while equipping them with the confidence and knowledge to bring their creative concepts to life and build sustainable businesses around their ideas.”
By joining forces, Roc Nation and FIT celebrate their shared commitment to creativity, individuality, and the cultivation of emerging talent. Representing diverse cultures and influences, FIT students are perfectly positioned for this mashup of fashion, music, and urban identity. As the next generation of trendsetters, they are rooted in youth culture, alive to influence, and fearless in self-expression—qualities that make them invaluable partners as Roc Nation taps into FIT’s greatest asset: young designers who don’t just follow trends, but define them.
“This design collaboration between Roc Nation and FIT is an example of how talent can span boundaries—those between fashion and music or classroom and industry—to inspire creativity on a global scale,” said Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of the Fashion Institute of Technology. “We look forward to extraordinary results from our students as they think boldly, connect with new audiences, and embark on their creative journeys.”
The first round of students’ designs must be submitted by Oct. 13 at 11:59 pm ET and the pieces will be judged by the creative design, selling potential, adherence to brand identity and the effective presentation of technical features.
The top five students will be selected to produce new designs in actual materials consisting of one of each – a hoodie, sweatshirt, pants, hat, and an accessory. Roc Nation will provide $800 to each finalist for funds for the creation of designs and production will be supervised by FIT Assistant Professor Zoran Dobric, who will arrange progress reviews, muslin fittings and more.
Additionally, the five finalists will need to present their concept to Roc Nation’s judging committee in December. The winner, along with the second and third place runner ups, will be announced and unveiled in Jan. 2026.
This collaboration bridges FIT’s legacy of design innovation with Roc Nation’s global cultural reach to create a powerful educational experience for aspiring designers. With the competition, students will be equipped with the tools to shatter the mold, set new trends and reimagine fashion.
The limited-edition Roc Nation collection will be developed in 2026.
About Roc Nation Since its founding in 2008, Roc Nation has grown into the world’s preeminent entertainment company. We work in every aspect of modern entertainment—with recording artists and producers, songwriters and more. Our client list includes some of the world’s most recognizable names: from Rihanna and Rapsody to Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert and J Balvin. We are a full-service organization, supporting our diverse roster of talent via artist management, music publishing, touring, production, strategic brand development and beyond.
About FIT A part of the State University of New York, FIT has been a leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology throughout its history. Providing almost 9,000 students with an uncommon blend of hands-on, practical experience, theory, and a firm grounding in the liberal arts, the college offers a wide range of affordable programs that foster innovation and collaboration. Its distinctive curriculum is geared to today’s rapidly growing creative economy, including fields such as computer animation, toy design, production management, film and media, and cosmetics and fragrance marketing. Internationally renowned, FIT draws on its New York City location to provide a vibrant, creative community in which to learn. The college offers nearly 50 majors and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for professional success and leadership in the new creative economy. Among notable alumni in fashion are Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Norma Kamali, Daniel Roseberry, Reem Acra, Brian Atwood, Stephen Burrows, Dennis Basso, Francisco Costa, Nanette Lepore, Bibhu Mohapatra, Ralph Rucci, John Bartlett, Peter Do, and Michelle Smith. Other prominent graduates include Leslie Blodgett, creator of bareMinerals; international restaurant designer Tony Chi; and Nina Garcia, editor-in-chief of ELLE.
