Parsons Students Sweep Amazon Fashion Studio Challenge

Last month, a team of undergraduate students from Parsons won the Amazon Fashion Studio Sessions Challenge, which rewards talented young individuals interested in the fashion industry. They competed against The Fashion Institute of Technology, Pratt Institute and the School of Visual Arts, to style, photograph, and design editorial images, which are featured on Amazon.com’s fashion site. After a long day of styling and shooting, Parsons was declared as the winner in both the menswear and womenswear categories.

“I saw an email stating something about Amazon, so I thought I would apply for fun,” said Jeanette Jakubauskas, the photographer for Parsons’ menswear team. “I love fashion photography, but my major is fashion so I thought this was a great opportunity if were to get in.”

To be considered for the contest, Parsons students had to fill out an application and submit three portfolio pieces. The teams, which consisted of a stylist, a graphic designer, a photographer, an art director and a fashion/accessories editor, were given access to Amazon’s new 40,000 square-foot photography studio in Brooklyn. Models, clothing, equipment, and hair and makeup services, were all available for the teams on site.

Each team had eight hours to come up with a concept, style their model, shoot their photographs, and then edit and design the final image. By the end of the contest, each group had created an editorial image that showcased Amazon Fashion’s fall offerings. Some groups, like the Parsons womenswear team, showcased a single look in their final image, while others, like the Parsons menswear team, styled their model in multiple outfits and created a series of looks.

“The day was super high stress, but Parsons maintained a high level of professionalism and teamwork throughout,” said Spencer Kohn, the photographer for Parsons’ womenswear team.

After styling, photographing, and designing their editorials, the teams presented their final image to a panel of 13 industry experts.

“Being able to get your work seen in front of the amazing panel of judges was unreal,” said Gabrielle Guglielmelli, the graphic designer for Parsons’ menswear team. “And then to find out that they loved our work was the best feeling in the world.”

In addition to having their images featured on Amazon.com, each winning team won $25,000, and $25,000 for their school, resulting in $50,000 awarded to Parsons. The students also won a mentoring session with Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Cathy Beaudoin, President of Amazon Fashion, and Andrew Rosen, founder and president of Theory.