The Marian Locks Senior Award is granted competitively each year to a graduating senior at Moore College of Art & Design through an endowment from the Locks Family Foundation. The winner is selected based on their outstanding potential to benefit from an opportunity to explore career possibilities.
This year's recipient is Erin Partlow ’25, a Fashion Design major from Tampa, Florida. Having discovered her love of patternmaking at Moore, Partlow plans to use the award to kickstart her career as a sample development and pattern assistant for Berthollet in New York City.
Join us on Saturday, May 10 at 11 am at Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for Moore’s 176th Commencement to celebrate the Class of 2025 and recognize award recipients.
Why did you choose to come to Moore?
Growing up in Tampa, I always had a plan to eventually end up in New York City. I knew going from Tampa to New York would be quite a big jump, so I decided that I really wanted to start in Philadelphia as a good middle ground between the two cities.
When I toured Moore’s campus, I ended up falling in love with the area. I love being around so many museums.
What does it mean to you to be selected as the winner of this year’s Marian Locks Senior Award?
It means a lot to me! I’ve always had a plan to go to college and then move to New York. I didn’t have the funds to do so this year, and I thought I would have to go back to Florida to save up those funds. Thanks to this award, I’m able to go straight from Moore to New York and start my career as a sample development and pattern assistant for Berthollet.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments from your time at Moore?
During my sophomore year, I entered Philly Fashion Week’s Next Up Student Design Competition and won Best in Show. The following year, I created a design inspired by The Nutcracker® for Moore’s collaboration with Philadelphia Ballet. That was the first time I saw my work on a real model, and it was an amazing experience.
I’m also grateful for this award and the Penny Fox Internship Fellowship I won in 2024, which I used to support my summer internship with fashion designer Bach Mai in New York City. Both awards have been super beneficial for me and my career.
What are your career plans after graduation? How did Moore prepare you for your goals?
When I move to New York, I’ll be working as a sample development and pattern assistant for Berthollet, a company that helps designers develop garments for the runway. I’ll be working on everything from patterns and mock-ups to live fittings.
Through my courses at Moore, I found that I really enjoyed patternmaking and the technical side of fashion. I decided while I was here that I want to become a full-time patternmaker—that’s where I really see garments come to life. It all aligned perfectly, and I’ll be able to start doing what I want to do as soon as I graduate.
What is your advice for current and future Moore students?
Explore the many resources the school offers students. Becoming a resident assistant (and then head resident assistant) helped me immerse myself in the campus and find more opportunities. Use all the resources that are available to you here!
Moore College of Art & Design is the only independent art and design college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Want to learn more about the Fashion Design major at Moore? Contact our Admissions team at enroll@moore.edu or 215.965.4015 to set up a call or a campus visit. We'd love to tell you more!
