Fashion Institute of Technology Student Atenea Maldonado Awarded 2025 VMSD Scholarship + Experience

PAVE Global, in partnership with VMSD magazine and SmartWork Media, is proud to announce Atenea Maldonado as the recipient of the 2025 VMSD Scholarship + Experience. Atenea will receive a $3,000 scholarship, plus airfare, hotel accommodations, daily per diem, and registration to attend the 2025 International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) in Providence, Rhode Island, October 22–23.

Atenea’s winning portfolio and personal essay demonstrated a clear passion for creating immersive, emotionally engaging retail environments that connect people to brands and experiences.

Excerpt from the Portfolio of Atenea Maldonado

“We are thrilled to have Atenea Maldonado join us at the 2025 International Retail Design Conference as our PAVE x VMSD Scholarship winner of 2025,” says Carly Hagedon, Editor-in-Chief, VMSD magazine, and Co-Chair, IRDC. “Atenea’s portfolio showcased a range of engaging retail designs, including window displays, pop-ups and traditional environments. All of our student entrants provided amazing portfolios for review this year – their design prowess proves the future is bright for the retail design industry. Congratulations to Atenea!”

Excerpt from the Portfolio of Atenea Maldonado

In her essay, Atenea reflected on a lifelong love of building imaginative worlds and the ability of design to shape how people feel in a space. She described retail environments as immersive, sensory experiences that welcome customers and create lasting emotional connections. Her perspective — that design is about sparking joy, nostalgia, and curiosity — underscored the judges’ decision and demonstrated how she views design as a way to craft memorable experiences.

Excerpt from the Portfolio of Atenea Maldonado

“Atenea’s portfolio stood out amongst our student entrants this year, all of which provided impeccable design talent and strategy,” says Murray Kasmenn, VP Group Publisher, VMSD magazine. “Each year, we receive a range of submissions that inspire and impress us. From traditional apparel stores to unusual pop-ups, these students’ designs show that they will be invaluable members of the retail design industry in the future. Congratulations again to Atenea!”

The VMSD Scholarship + Experience, now in its fifth year, continues PAVE Global’s mission to support the next generation of designers by providing financial assistance, mentorship, and professional opportunities.

About VMSD
Since 1897, VMSD (Visual Merchandising Store Design) has been committed to providing retail professionals with the most up-to-date, innovative retail design ideas and industry news — and to do so in a way that inspires, challenges, and motivates.

About International Retail Design Conference (IRDC)
Presented annually by VMSD magazine, IRDC is a one-of-a-kind conference that delivers two full days of education and design dialogue. Recognized as the premier educational and networking event for the store design and visual merchandising communities, attending IRDC offers student designers a unique opportunity to broaden their knowledge of retail design while they interact with and learn directly from professionals.

About PAVE
Founded in 1992 as The Planning and Visual Education Partnership, PAVE Global is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, with all proceeds benefitting PAVE’s educational programs. The organization enables young talent to build successful careers designing and creating consumer environments. Our vision is to cultivate relationships with students, educators, and the design industry through financial assistance, top-industry thinking, inspiration, and mentorship.