Urban Outfitters is thrilled to announce the launch of the UO Summer Class Collection, an exclusive apparel and accessories assortment designed by five interns from URBN’s “Summer Class” Internship Program – a 10-week design internship for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). Building on the success of the inaugural Summer Class Collections, the latest designs were crafted in collaboration with Morehouse College, Tennessee State University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Hampton University, providing students from these institutions with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase their creative talent. Proceeds from this year's Summer Class Collections support a $55K donation to the participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Scroll down to get to know the students and what learn about their unique designs.
Bishr Burns - Morehouse College
Hailing from Brodnax, Virginia, Bishr studies biology at Morehouse College and joined the Urban Outfitter’s Men's Buying Team during the internship.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE. WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PARTS?
Coming to Urban was kind of a big step out of my comfort zone since I am a biology major who has never really had experiences in the fashion industry besides my own research. I'm glad I decided to try it because it gave me another path to explore. My favorite part was meeting the other interns who are now some of my closest friends and learning about fashion through their eyes.
WHAT WAS THE DESIGN PROCESS LIKE?
The design process was hella fun! I finally got to pour out my ideas and watch them slowly come to life. My process felt like throwing all my ideas at a wall and seeing what stuck. Yeah, it was intimidating at first, but I saw how different everyone's process was so you literally can't do any wrong.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER POC CREATIVES INTERESTED IN WORKING OR INTERNING IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY?
My advice for any POC creatives that are interested in fashion is to never take "no" for an answer, like you honestly deserve anything you want, and you can have that. Also, comparison is the thief of joy don't feel like you're not good enough because others have a little more than you!
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO POST-INTERNSHIP AND WHERE CAN OUR COMMUNITY FOLLOW YOUR JOURNEY?
After my internship, I started my senior year and was set to graduate but unfortunately, I ended up hospitalized during my last semester. Now I'm finishing my degree in biology and plan to go into a master's program after as my next step towards med school. If you want to see where I go from here, follow my Instagram @Bishrburns and my TikTok @bishrorwhatever!
Faith Reeves - Tennessee State University
Faith, a Springfield, Tennessee native graduated from Tennessee State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s in Fashion and Communications and worked with the Women's Intimates and Loungewear team during her time as a Summer Class intern.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE. WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PARTS?
Connecting with everyone from the different HBCUS & getting to experience Urban Outfitters as a whole my favorite part of the internship!
WHAT WAS THE DESIGN PROCESS LIKE?
It was pretty fast! Once we were given the concept we started designing, preparing tech packs, and then the ball was rolling from there.
HOW DID YOUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY INSPIRE YOUR PIECES?
As a Tennessee native, I grew up always hearing about Tennesee State University (TSU) because of the band and the football games. The John merrit classic was my very first football game I attended at the age of 10. So I went back to my beginning at TSU and that’s what inspired my collection.
WHERE CAN OUR COMMUNITY FOLLOW YOUR JOURNEY?
My community can keep up with me on instagram @msraichelleb & TikTok @faithraiii.
Mike Tambashe - North Carolina Central University
Mike, a designer and artist by nature, interned with the Urban Outfitters Men’s Buying Team and uses his free time to study the parallels between market research and customer behavior along with storytelling, surface design and textile manufacturing.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE. WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PARTS?
Looking back, interning at Urban was an experience that helped validate my beliefs in my skills and the value I can bring to a team. Some high points were building relationships both with the other summer class and the regular interns, some of who I’ve collaborated with since. The level of access we also received helped open my eyes to understanding what space in fashion I’d like to play in. On top of that, leaving with a set of mentors is something I can’t even begin to put a price on.
WHAT WAS THE DESIGN PROCESS LIKE?
After getting our design brief, I started looking at all the archives I could get my hands on. From documentaries, to old NCCU yearbooks, I wanted to find links to the past that I could weave into the current experience. I reached out to a few current students to get some stories of their lives on campus. My approach was inspired by the knowledge that we’d be partnering with Urban Renewal so the idea of repurposing and collaging was the language I wanted to use in making my pieces.
WHAT KEEPS YOUR CREATIVE? WHAT DESIGNERS OR BRANDS MOST INSPIRE YOU?
There’s this little engine at my house that just turned two back in July. He’s definitely my cheat code. When I’m tapped out, playing with him brings the energy back. He’s also part of the fuel that gets me to wake back up each day and reminds me to take a few more steps closer to my dreams. From there the inspiration shifts from appreciating the works of Virgil, Martine Rose, Wales Bonner, Briant Giles, Rema, Earl Sweatshirt and Telfar. Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of Allen Iverson and Chad Ochocinco highlights. I think the link between these designers and athletes is me appreciating craft at a high level, no matter the discipline. But the biggest inspiration comes from inspiring myself. I used to be one of them kids that was told to stop asking so many questions. I didn’t take the advice so I got to hold on to my curiosity. I’m constantly trying to see how far I can push something and if I can outdo my last effort. I guess you can say I'm obsessed with beating myself.
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO POST-INTERNSHIP AND WHERE CAN OUR COMMUNITY FOLLOW YOUR JOURNEY?
Since the internship, I’ve graduated and have placed my energy into building up my brand POOR DAD. One day the full circle moment is that you’ll find it at your local Urban Outfitters. Just give me two more years to get there. Till then you can follow me and the brand at @mikethecurator and @poordad.store
Sade Holt - Hampton University
Sade, originally from Greensboro, NC, studied business management and leadership at Hampton University in Virginia. She interned with the Urban Outfitters Women’s Buying Team while participating in the Summer Class program.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE. WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PARTS?
My time at Urban Outfitters as a buying intern through the Summer Class program was exciting, dynamic, and overall, a great learning experience. My favorite part of the internship was the Summer Class experience, the master classes, and all the chats with senior leadership and executives.
HOW DID YOUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY INSPIRE YOUR PIECES?
When I thought of Hampton University, I thought of our campus's important history along with the innovative and fashion forward students who attend “My Home by the Sea”. I knew I wanted to incorporate those details into an edgy collection inspired by our mascot, the Pirate!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER POC CREATIVES INTERESTED IN WORKING OR INTERNING IN THE FASHIO INDUSTRY?
I would tell other POC creatives to reach out to other POC and HBCU alumni already in the industry from entry level to senior level positions; they understand the challenges for people of color and oftentimes try to help their community anyway they can.
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO POST-INTERNSHIP AND WHERE CAN OUR COMMUNITY FOLLOW YOUR JOURNEY?
Post-internship, I completed my BS in Business Management with a minor in Leadership Studies. Post-graduation, I was able to intern in consulting and strategy for a Fortune 500 Company. Now, I get to fuse creativity and strategy, developing my own brand and skills in personal styling and upcycling.
Mya Harris - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Mya, a senior majoring in Fashion Merchandising and Design, worked alongside the UO Women’s Structured Design Team during her time as an intern.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE. WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PARTS?
During my internship, I worked with the Women's Design team in Structured Wear (pants). I had a great experience and was responsible for organizing their denim room and also did a lot of shadowing in various areas in the company. My favorite parts of the internship were shadowing the Clo 3D Studio and seeing how 3D design is becoming a huge part of the fashion industry. I also enjoyed our Summer Class activities, which allowed me to become closer with other students with the same experience as me.
WHAT WAS THE DESIGN PROCESS LIKE?
My design process was exciting. I will never forget, when I first started designing, I put all my ideas on a huge board to present and my team was so shocked. I really wanted the customer to understand the historic value of my university and the value of HBCU’s as a whole. I tried to take real life experiences, styles, and trends I see at my school everyday to speak for the university.
WHAT KEEPS YOU CREATIVE? WHAT DESIGNERS OR BRANDS MOST INSPIRE YOU?
Music keeps me creative. I create my designs around the emotion I feel when I listen to a certain song. From R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop, and Afro Beat, these categories each showcase a different side of me.
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO POST-INTERNSHIP AND WHERE CAN OUR COMMUNITY FOLLOW YOUR JOURNEY?
I am currently a Senior at North Carolina A&T State University studying Fashion Merchandising & Design with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. I am serving as the president of Fashion X-Cetera, a student led fashion organization on campus, as well as a Champion Ember for my university. I am also working on building my personal brand. You can follow my journey through LinkedIn and Instagram @realmyanicole