Angel Macias Madrigal ’28 is pioneering the role as Marist’s first-ever Ralph Lauren Scholar
Angel Macias Madrigal ’28 is pioneering the role as Marist’s first-ever Ralph Lauren Scholar. The prestigious $100,000 scholarship, established by Ralph Lauren to support underrepresented students in fashion, covers tuition for four years and includes mentorship, an internship, and post-graduation opportunities with the company.
Angel, a native of Los Angeles, brings a unique background in both fashion and advocacy. A self-taught designer, he has several years of experience in garment construction and tailoring, alongside three years dedicated to Native American activism focused on social justice and representation. During high school, he also interned at a law firm, where he combined office duties with creative projects,including designing branded materials for community events.
Jennifer Finn, Chair of Marist’s Fashion Program, praised Angel, stating, “Angel’s thoughtful perspective and enthusiasm truly embody the spirit of our Fashion program. We are thrilled to see him thrive with the Ralph Lauren Design Scholars program.”
The Ralph Lauren Scholarship program at Marist aims to increase educational opportunities for underrepresented students in the fashion industry by removing financial barriers and providing resources and support. This scholarship is the latest collaboration between Marist and Ralph Lauren, building on last year’s initiative that allowed underrepresented high school students to take pre-college classes at Marist’s Poughkeepsie campus.
“I never imagined that my passion for fashion, largely self-taught, would lead to an award like this,” said Angel. “I’m eager to gain insights from my mentors and give back to Indigenous communities through my work in fashion. ”The scholarship allows me to pursue my love for design and explore academic interestslike psychology.
