Fashion Institute of Technology and Complex Launch Unique Education Program for Aspiring Sneaker Moguls

"The sneaker industry today is booming on a global scale, with the market driven by millennial demand," said Sarah Mullins, chair of the Accessories Design program at FIT. "This program is designed to translate that passion for sneakers into real-world knowledge and skills that open doors to meaningful career pathways, and FIT's outstanding Accessories Design program is extremely well positioned to lead the next generation into the industry."

The fully online program was developed by Qubed Education, a New York-based edtech startup that partners with top universities and major brands like Columbia University and Conde Nast to create career discovery courses linked to fast-growing industries, including fashion, beauty, and sports.

"Complex has always been at the forefront of sneaker culture, and we also pride ourselves on being inclusive and opening doors for creative people," said Jack Erwin, General Manager of Content for Complex. "Sneaker Essentials provides a chance for passionate learners to hear directly from true leaders in the sneaker media industry, including Joe La Puma, Gerald Flores, and Richard Lopez."

Sneaker Essentials is offered through FIT's Center for Continuing and Professional Studies. The program is made up of six courses and includes over 30 hours of instruction, led by FIT faculty, Complex editors and hosts, and many industry experts who are at the intersection of business and sneaker culture. They include contributors from Nike, Adidas, and numerous sneaker industry influencers. The curriculum, designed by FIT faculty, takes students through the history and culture of the sneaker industry, and provides insight into career fields such as design, manufacturing and production, distribution and retail, marketing strategy, and media. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of completion from FIT.

"Our mission is to provide fun, engaging opportunities for the next generation of talent to explore career paths that are aligned to their passions in growing industries," said Rob Kingyens, president and CEO of Qubed Education. "Students enrolled in the program will not only have the opportunity to learn from leading academics and industry experts from top sneaker brands, they'll also walk away with a certificate from a globally-recognized college."

Qubed has also partnered with Kick 'N It for a Cause, a social impact nonprofit, to provide scholarships to select students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Kick 'N It for a Cause works with NBA stars and other influencers to unite sneaker enthusiasts around community service, providing sneakers for people in need, and advancing art and music programs in K-12 schools.

This is the second online program FIT has developed with Qubed Education. For young professionals interested in beauty, FIT also offers Beauty Industry Essentials, designed by faculty in the school's Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing program, in partnership with Allure. The program focuses on six key professional areas in the beauty industry, and courses are taught by FIT faculty members, along with top editors at Allure, industry leaders, and professionals at MAC Cosmetics, Shiseido Group USA, and Givaudan, among others.

Beginning today, visitors to sneakers.fitnyc.edu can sign up for an exclusive preview of the program. The first group of students will be admitted to Sneaker Essentials in April.

About FIT
The Fashion Institute of Technology, a part of the State University of New York, has been a world-renowned leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology for over 70 years. With a curriculum that provides a singular blend of hands-on, practical experience; classroom study; and a firm grounding in the liberal arts, FIT offers a wide range of outstanding programs that are affordable and relevant to today's rapidly changing industries. FIT draws on its New York City location to provide a vibrant, creative community in which to learn. The college offers 50 majors and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for professional success and leadership in the global marketplace. To learn more, visit www.fitnyc.edu.

About Qubed
Qubed is on a mission to inspire the next generation of talent to pursue a career that aligns to their talent and passions—with universities and brands they know and trust. Working in partnership with the world's leading institutions, media outlets and employers, Qubed creates accessible and open-access learning experiences that help tomorrow's leaders discover and pursue career paths in growing, global industries that align to their passions, including fashion, sports, music and media. www.qubededucation.com

About Complex Networks
Complex Networks, formed from the acquisition of Complex Media Inc. through a joint venture by Verizon and Hearst, is a global lifestyle brand, media company, and one of the most influential voices in popular culture today. Complex Networks generates over 810 million video views a month across its digital channels – Complex, Collider, First We Feast, Rated Red, Pigeons and Planes, Sole Collector, and more – and is a Top 10 publisher in the U.S. for social engagement on channels like Facebook and YouTube.

Complex Networks develops and distributes original programming for its channels and through output deals with distributors including Facebook, Fuse and go90. The company cultivates content that spans across popular culture from music to movies, sports to video games, fashion to food, reaching the coveted 18-24-year-old male audience. In November, the company successfully hosted its second ComplexCon in Long Beach, California, attracting 200 top brands and over 50,000 attendees to the two-day cultural festival.

SOURCE Qubed

Related Links

http://www.qubededucation.com