Shae Ross Wins Douglass Interior Products’ 2026 Interior Craftsman Scholarship

Douglass Interior Products has officially selected the winner of its 2026 Interior Craftsman Scholarship: Shae Ross of Melbourne, Florida.

This year’s decision wasn’t easy. According to Brodie Smith, National Sales Manager – Automotive, the company received an unusually high number of impressive applications, with more than 20 entrants demonstrating strong talent, passion and potential.

But Ross rose to the top for her energy and enthusiasm for the craft.

“Shae was the consensus pick amongst everyone reviewing applicants,” Smith said. “She has an amazing drive to learn about this industry and grow her skills. Her passion for the trade came across in her essay submission. I feel she will be turning heads with her unique approach and creativity for design in the near future.”

Ross will receive the full 2026 scholarship prize package — an unparalleled combination of travel, training, mentorship and professional development designed to accelerate the careers of up-and-coming trimmers. That includes:

A week-long trip to Scotland to tour Scottish Leather Group’s Muirhead and Bridge of Weir tanneries.
One-on-one mentorship with the talented team at Avant-Garde Design in Palm City, Florida.
A five-day course at Automotive Soft Trim’s upholstery school in Ocala, Florida.
Unlimited online training through The Lucky Needle.
Sid Chavers’ complete Street Rod Interior DVD series, covering seats, panels and headliners.

Douglass Interior Products expressed gratitude to all of their partners — Jeremy Carlson of Avant-Garde Design, Shawn Brando of Automotive Soft Trim, John Pollack of The Lucky Needle, and Sid Chavers of Sid Chavers Company — whose generosity and expertise made the 2026 scholarship possible.

Smith also thanked the entire auto upholstery community for spreading the word and encouraging new trimmers to apply. “We had high-quality submissions from all over the United States enter this year, which gives me great hope for the industry’s future,” he said.

The Hog Ring congratulates Shae Ross on winning Douglass Interior Products’ 2026 Interior Craftsman Scholarship. We look forward to following her journey as she continues to develop her craft and shape the future of automotive interiors.

To learn more about Douglass Interior Products and check out their lineup of leathers, fabrics and carpets, visit DouglassInteriorProducts.com. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to stay inspired.