Recipient

MOON MENDOZA
FIRST EVER TWO TIME RECIPIENT OF THE AWARD (2024,2025)

“I am incredibly honored to be awarded the Headwear Association Endowed Scholarship, sponsored by S.H. Baik of Young An Hat Company. This recognition means so much as I continue building my industry experience. Currently, I have an internship with Rag & Bone in the Soft Accessories Design department, where headwear plays a significant role in my work. I am also excited to announce that I will accept a summer internship with J. Crew in the Accessories Design department and can’t wait to start! I am passionate about designing accessories and I am thankful for your support in helping me fulfil my passion.”

-Moon Mendoza

Congratulations to Moon from all of us at The Headwear Association!

CHECK OUT OUR 2024 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER!

About the Award

S.H. Baik of Young An Hat company generously donated $100,000 on behalf of The Headwear Association towards a scholarship for aspiring designers in the millinery field. This money has funded a scholarship at the famed Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. The scholarship has been established as an endowed scholarship award fund with a pledge of $100,000 it will be awarded in perpetuity using the interest earned on the gift.

Baik Sung-hak was born on April 18, 1940, in Heilongjiang province, China to one of the wealthiest households in the Manchuria region. A series of unfortunate events left Sung-hak fatherless at age five and a war orphan at the age of ten with the Korean War of 1950. Despite the numerous adversities he has faced, his experiences have also shaped opportunities that combined with his work ethic, outside-the-box thinking, and charisma allowed him to start his company, the Young An Hat Company. Today S.H. Baik has become a role model and his values and generosity continue to impact the lives of many through charity. Among his many charities, S. H. Baik has founded and continues to support many orphanages worldwide.