Tiffany unboxed

Learning what goes on behind the Sparkle with the Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Foundation x Tiffany & Co.

Being awarded the Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship for 2024 and 2025 through the Fashion Scholarship Fund has been surreal. Being able to learn from industry professionals, connect with so many talented scholars, and continuously grow from Virgil’s legacy has truly been a blessing. When I came to New York this year for the Fashion Scholarship Fund networking events, I couldn’t help but remember how Virgil networked—with anyone and everyone, in and outside of fashion—because he believed there was always something new to learn. He was studious, intentional, and curious, taking notes and making meaningful connections everywhere he went. He inspires me to be a fashion anthropologist in practice: always seeking new perspectives, fueling my inspiration, and—above all—observing what creatives are doing today and how I can grow from them.

This year, the Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship Foundation funneled 60 scholars into three events: Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Fendi. Last year, I attended a Louis Vuitton showroom where scholars exclusively spoke with Bernard Arnault and Shannon Abloh. Their reflections on Virgil’s immersive storytelling deeply resonated with me as both a writer and journalist, inspiring me to complete Falling into the Cyberverse, which was recognized by the 2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund. Falling into the Cyberverse is a design case study created to position Louis Vuitton at the forefront of Web 3.0—exploring AR, AI, and VR technologies. I poured both of our love for immersive storytelling into the project. It became a tale of craftsmanship, a whimsical ode to Alice in Wonderland, nod to the birth of the railroad from the Industrial Revolution—all a reimagining of what the future might look like through the synergy of nature and technology.

This year, I was invited to Tiffany & Co., where I explored more career opportunities aligned with my double major in fashion design and merchandising. I plan to pursue a master’s in digital fashion at Epsom in England.

We were fashionably late to Tiffany & Co. after getting ridiculously lost—typical tourist behavior, I know. But a friend reminded me earlier that “everything happens for a reason,” and when we entered Tiffany & Co., I couldn’t help but agree. We were greeted by a kind gentleman named Daniel—an engineer. Part of me was surprised. An engineer at Tiffany & Co.? But of course—jewelry design requires incredible precision, structure, and yes, math.

A quick "Oh gosh, we are running late elevator" selfie!

Since our small group of three arrived behind the main party, we were able to start our tour a bit more intimately. That moment turned into a gift—I got to bombard Daniel with questions and learn so much more one-on-three than I would have in the larger group.

Daniel walked us through the facility, showing us where and how Tiffany & Co. creates its prototypes. Their product development team is a collaborative mix of CAD designers, jewelry designers, engineers, artisans, and merchandisers. I was especially drawn to the CAD design, jewelry design, and merchandising teams. We saw the machines that ensure quality control, the software used in CAD design, the illustrations and sketches developed by jewelry designers, and the intricate tech packs engineered to bring each design to life. I was blown away by how complex and technical those documents were. But the highlight? Watching the jewelry artisans work their magic. I thought I learned precision in my shoemaking course in Florence—but what these artists do is an entirely different level. Surrounded by Tiffany Blue, otherworldly machinery, and next-level craftsmanship, the whole experience felt surreal.

After a few quick selfies, we headed to another Tiffany & Co. building where we attended a panel featuring industry professionals. They spoke about their winding paths through and beyond fashion, and how those experiences shaped who they are today. They taught me to be accountable, to embrace uncertainty, to know my limits, and to receive feedback—no matter how it’s delivered. Be bold. Be resilient. Be your own best advocate. Never lose your purpose, because you are the only one who can discover it and mold it into something meaningful.

This experience with the Tiffany & Co. x Virgil Abloh Scholarship Foundation has been remarkable—and it reminded me that the future of fashion isn’t just about what you wear, but how you think, connect, and create. I’m endlessly grateful to be part of this legacy—and I can't wait to keep stitching stories and designing the future.