These Fashion Students Are Ready to Take On the World

[Note: Photos have been removed for privacy]

Working in fashion is a dream for many. From artists and designers to merchandisers and marketers, the opportunities in the fashion industry are abundant and highly sought after. Here on the island, we’ve made it part of our mission to support young people pursuing a career in fashion through mentorship, scholarships, and first-hand experience.

Coming from all over the country, eight talented students joined us as part of our very first internship program, aimed at helping them explore their passions, excel in their fields, and give back to the community.

“I want young people to know there’s a career to be made in fashion,” Bradley O’Brien, key program organizer and Executive Vice President of Product Design and Development, says. “My goal is for our teams to share their wisdom, so that the students can better understand the myriad career paths they might take.”

With an array of products and styles, Tommy Bahama has no shortage of unique expertise in a wide variety of departments.

“Fear of failure hinders many from stepping out of their comfort zone,” Chrisann Furciato, key organizer and Executive Vice President of Retail – eCommerce and Licensing, says. “Our company provides a safe, nurturing place for our interns to search beyond their area of focus. Plus, having young, thoughtful thinkers challenges our teams to be their best selves.”

Over the course of the summer, the interns worked together in groups to design a product—from sourcing materials, to designing and fitting, to merchandising and marketing it—gaining true hands-on experience working in the clothing industry.

With an impressive and exciting range of skills, education, and experiences, this class of interns shares a clear passion for fashion—and appreciation for relaxation. And that iconic “vacation” ease is what we’re all about, from our headquarters to our restaurants and bars to our stores.

Chongxi, Women’s Design

Graduated with a master’s degree in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University, Chongxi is an employee at our Denver Park Meadows store location and is interning with our Women’s Design team.

“Working in one of the retail stores, and now here, I’ve always felt that, across the board, everyone helps create that laid-back feeling, and I really love that about our company,” Chongxi says.

Bringing an island state of mind into your everyday helps to handle the worries, the hustle and bustle, the ups and downs of life, a school year—or a career.

Monica, eCommerce

Interning with our eCommerce team, Monica is a student at Central Washington University, where she’s earning a degree in Apparel, Textiles & Merchandising and is graduating in 2024.

“Every person on my team is so talented and skilled, so it’s been wonderful to work with peers that are passionate and creative about what they do,” Monica says.

Kara, Technical Design

A fashion design student at the University of Cincinnati, Kara graduates in 2025 and is interning with our Technical Design team.

“Day to day, I get to work with some very talented, great people here. I also get to work closely with some of the other interns,” Kara says. “It’s been so fun and interesting to get to work with new and different people—and products! I bounce between men’s, women’s, and swimwear, and I love the variety that I get.”

A wide breadth of experience, new connections, and the opportunity to discover one’s own path are just what this internship program was created for.

Emma, Swim Design

Graduating in 2024, Emma is a fashion design student at Arizona State University and is working with our Swim Design department.

“Women’s swim has been really interesting for me,” Emma says. “It’s a very different process from men’s or women’s apparel design, and it’s great that this is like a little trial run. I get two months of what it’s like to be a swim designer.”

Long-term goals and plans start in the present moment, and it’s clear that this group of interns is well on its way to success.

Aliyah, Merchandising

Graduated in 2023 with a degree in Apparel Merchandising from Indiana University, Aliyah is a Fashion Scholarship Fund scholar and is working with our Merchandising department.

“Five years from now, I still want to be working within buying and planning,” Aliyah says. “I think it's something so special to see an item go from a sketch on a line sheet all the way to being in stores nationwide or even worldwide. And just seeing the way that clothes can make someone feel is really awesome.”

That feeling of trying on the perfect-fitting swimsuit, or most comfortable shirt, or most flattering dress is something unlike any other. It’s something we always strive for at Tommy Bahama, and it’s a product of company-wide collaboration, effort, and care.

Ruchi, Men’s Design

Working with our Men’s Design department, Ruchi is currently a student at Thomas Jefferson University, where she is studying fashion design and graduating in 2024.

“I think it's so cool how you have design and resourcing and marketing, and all of that comes together into this one big package—and every part is important,” Ruchi says. “I definitely see myself in that sort of collaborative environment in the future.”

Hannah, Sourcing & Product

A graduate student in Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles at Washington State University, Hannah is interning with our Sourcing & Product department and will be graduating in 2024.

“I’m enjoying the group project since it allows for a lot of collaboration and the chance to get to learn from my peers. It’s a great opportunity for each of us to share our knowledge in the field and to educate each other with the new information we’ve learned so far here,” Hannah says. “Collectively, with this project, we’ve created a unique product line that incorporates each of our ideas, and I think that’s really exciting.”

Vanessa, 2024 Tommy Bahama x Fashion Scholarship Fund Recipient

Vanessa, a junior studying fashion merchandising at the University of Georgia and Design Director of the Fashion Design Student Association is our 2024 FSF scholar.

Tommy Bahama is proud to partner with the Fashion Scholarship Fund, the nation’s leading fashion-industry education and workforce nonprofit. The TB x FSF scholarship aims to advance talent in the fashion industry by reaching thousands of aspiring and established fashion creatives through the FSF scholarship competition.

“I’ve known from a young age that fashion was what I wanted to do. This scholarship has given me access to incredibly talented contacts at Tommy Bahama who are open to offering valuable guidance and advice. I’m so excited about all the creative opportunities it’s opened up for me,” she says.

As part of the scholarship competition, Vanessa did a case study in which she developed a clothing line for people with mental health difficulties and sensory hypersensitivities. Her designs featured noise-insulated hoods, non-irritating flat seams, and weighted quilt detailing in soft, environmentally conscious fabrics.

“I love the idea of making something that gives the wearer a feeling of complete confidence. I want them to know that their wants and needs were taken seriously when developing each piece. If I can offer clothing that creatively addresses needs that are often overlooked, I feel like I’m succeeding,” Vanessa says.

Wherever the paths of these talented young people lead, we’re grateful to have been a part of it—and we can’t wait to see what they will achieve.