Designing Success: An Interview with SCAD’s Fashion Marketing Professor Stephen White
The path to success is a unique journey, designing and getting there looks different for everyone. Shaped by our individual talents and experiences, it’s up to us to build something extraordinary with them. For Stephen White, a dedicated professor in SCAD's Fashion Marketing program, this journey has involved several significant career shifts—what we might call reconstructions—that have shaped his path to his current role. From architecture student to interior designer, earning two master’s degrees, working with the creative team at Kiehl's, to becoming a beloved SCAD professor, Stephen’s career trajectory is a testament to his versatility and passion for art and design.
Stephen's love for architecture began with his grandfather, an architect who profoundly influenced him. It caught his attention from a young age. “As a child, we were always creating—building mini birdhouses and making signs for a pretend restaurant where I'd serve breakfast to my family,” he remembers. Each visit to his grandfather’s New York home was filled with awe as he observed him sketching designs for banks and houses at his drafting table. “My passion for design is rooted in those experiences with him,” Stephen notes. “He was the key reason I chose to study architecture.”
Stephen decided to attend Northeastern University, drawn by its co-op program, which offered him the opportunity to study in Italy for a year and work in Barcelona for another. During this time, he focused on architectural history and sustainable materials. His first co-op was at HOK, one of the largest architectural firms in the world. Amidst 120 architects in his office, Stephen joined the interiors team, igniting his passion for interior design over larger-scale structures. He shares, ‘’The stuff you engage with in a space and how you form interactions within architectural space is what I liked about architecture.’’
After graduating in May 2011, Stephen jokingly discussed starting a studio with his friend Kelly. A nearby woman suggested they design for National Geographic, which led to his first job as a contracted architect. Together, they launched Emerson-White Design, focusing on renovating the Geo Channels office floor, where they quickly learned about interior design and project management. “We often said, ‘Oh, yes, we can definitely do that,’ even when we had no idea how,” Stephen humorously recalls. Seeking more stability after a year and a half, he moved to Workspaces, a furniture company, where he honed his skills in procurement and project specifications. “That role was a guiding moment for me,” he reflects.
Two years later, Stephen reconnected with friend Lindsey Belnap, who was studying design management at SCAD. He had been following her journey, and it caught his attention. "I fell in love with Savannah, captivated by its rich history and vibrant atmosphere," he recalls, noting how the broad, research-based program appealed to his inner nerd. Inspired by Lindsey, he pursued design management, where he discovered the importance of the human side of problem-solving and how to create spaces that foster connections. Although he initially didn’t plan to return to architecture, he decided to write his thesis on fashion and its reflection of identity, leading SCAD to suggest he also pursue a second master’s degree in luxury brand management.
Right after graduating from SCAD, Stephen was invited to join the creative team at Kiehl's, where he explored various aspects of branding, brand strategy, and product and packaging design. "I came in and rewrote every creative process, including the brand guidelines, alongside the other creative directors," he explains. These changes have since become part of Kiehl's standard practices for every photoshoot, product launch, and marketing timeline.
But as it turned out after living in Savannah for his master’s degree and growing up in cities like Washington, D.C., Boston, and New York, Stephen realized that the fast-paced life of a big city no longer suited him. After a decade-long career in architecture, he recognized that New York wasn't where he wanted to be anymore. Ok, time for a renovation! Stephen makes his way back to Savannah and shortly after Smith Hall Studio was born, which got its name from his freshman dorm. “It honors the awkwardness of meeting someone new and figuring out your creative communication style,” he explains. Smith Hall was the first place Stephen recalls feeling like he could fully express and be himself, even if it was where he had a little too much fun on some nights. This nostalgic connection shaped the studio’s name and reflects his collaborative approach to creativity.
“I am all about visual storytelling & unapologetic narrative. My passion lies in helping humans around the country develop their brands, visual identities, and interiors. Brand and space have a big impact on our daily lives & my intentions as a designer have always been to use design to generate meaningful connections between humans, brands, products & spaces. ”
Stephen had never considered becoming a professor until after his store closed in 2019. "It was tough; I loved that store, and I know I'll likely open another one someday," he reflects. During a SCAD alumni program at Lacoste, he met Christine Barrick, head of Refinery 29, who suggested he consider coming on as a creative director for the digital media company. Shortly after, Dan Greene, a former professor and head of the fashion marketing program at SCAD, called to offer him a teaching position. Although the opportunity at Refinery 29 sounded exciting, Stephen found that teaching resonated more with him, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
Stephen realized that he had already been practicing much of what the fashion marketing program now teaches. At Kiehl's and in his own store, he managed photoshoots, handled art direction and creative direction, and oversaw marketing and buying. He would now take all of his various work experiences and infuse it into his teaching. Stephen loves observing his students’ creative processes. He enjoys giving them the freedom to express themselves fully, and as he watches their growth from project to project, he finds it incredible to see how thoughtful, curated, and refined their ideas become. Offering gentle nudges to guide them in the right direction, he feels that watching them bring their visions to life is the most fulfilling aspect of his role as a professor.
Maria Rodriguez, a senior at SCAD, describes Stephen as genuinely authentic. Going on to say he teaches students to be versatile while creating a safe space for them to explore their creativity in ways they never thought possible—something that many other classes lack. Olivia Jurado, a student currently enrolled in his Digital Presentation Techniques class, (a program he built for the fashion marketing department), emphasizes this unique dynamic, describing Stephen as more of a mentor than a traditional professor. "He’s just so fun, eclectic, and a little weird in the best way," she notes, highlighting how his vibrant and quirky personality fosters an engaging and supportive atmosphere that inspires students to thrive.
‘‘Starting the week thinking about what’s to come after revisiting where things started. I remember the satisfaction of seeing these two spaces come together @templedayspasavannah and am still flooded with gratitude for everyone I’ve been able to work with along this wild journey. It’s only up from here!’’
Balancing his business and teaching isn’t easy, but Stephen manages his time efficiently using the "⅜ rule": 8 hours for sleep, 8 for work, and 8 for friends, family and fun. But he goes back to emphasizing his love for teaching, noting the mutual learning that occurs in his classroom, where he learns just as much from his students as they do from him. This humility inspires his students and creates a lively, engaging environment where everyone grows together. His ability to connect theory with practice, paired with his genuine passion for teaching, makes him a great professor.
Stephen’s journey reflects the influence of his grandfather, who would undoubtedly be proud of his accomplishments and success. “The foundation of all this comes from him—he infused my love for design throughout my life.” He may not have become the architect he originally planned, but he has built something far better for his life. That’s what success looks like: someone who found how they can truly make an impact on others. Stephen teaches his students how through creativity and design we can transform our passions into meaningful connections that inspire. Ultimately, it’s about leaving a lasting legacy through the lives we touch and the changes we ignite in our communities, Professor Stephen does just that.
You can follow Stephen White’s journey as a professor via his instagram @Professorclarkstagram where he showcases his students work & @SmithHallStudio, his interior architecture studio.
