MassArt Students Awarded Primark Scholarships

(From Left to Right: MassArt Provost and Interim President Ken Strickland, Liz LaCava, Kathryn Higham, President of Primark U.S. Corp Jose Luis Martinez de Larramendi, Vice President of People and Culture for Primark Sue Hoffman)

On Tuesday Primark presented its Grand Award scholarships to MassArt Fashion Design students Liz LaCava and Kathryn Higham.

LaCava and Higham were two of 10 finalists who had taken the semester-long Product Design Course offered by MassArt in conjunction with the popular European fashion retailer. As part of the class, students were instructed to create a portfolio of original clothing designs geared towards the average Primark customer. The winners were chosen from these portfolios.

LaCava was awarded the Primark Internship Scholarship and will spend this summer working in the company’s Dublin, Ireland buying offices. There she will take part in all facets of the buying and selling process, learning trends, design and PR strategies. Higham, who won the Primark Scholarship Award, will receive financial assistance as needed.

“I’m looking forward to being exposed to something I’ve never experienced before,” LaCava said. “It will give me the chance to expand on my own thinking, ideas and influences.”

Primark and MassArt collaborated on multiple projects throughout the past year in order to give students a better understanding of the fashion industry, as well as the company itself. Last summer students competed to develop a storefront display that was presented at Primark’s grand opening in Boston in September.

“Primark’s partnership with MassArt is incredibly meaningful in our ongoing mission to directly connect with, and contribute to the communities in which we work,” said President of Primark U.S. Corp Jose Luis Martinez de Larramendi in a press release. “We are delighted to partner with a prestigious institution such as MassArt, and to have the unique opportunity to collaborate with the college’s inspiring young talent.”

Martinez de Larramendi presented the award with Vice President of People and Culture for Primark Sue Hoffman.

Photo Credit: Margaret Meluzio, Havas PR