Changed For Good: Newark Public Schools, Students, Faculty, and Staff Cast Their Spells in Wicked Fashion Show

NEWARK, N.J. – Fashion, music, theater, and student creativity took center stage as Newark Public Schools presented its second annual fashion show, Wicked, a spectacular districtwide production that brought the beloved world of Oz to life through original student-designed collections and performances.

Presented by the Newark School of Fashion & Design (NSFD) in collaboration with all of the other high schools in Newark, the show featured designs inspired by Wicked, with occasional nods to The Wiz, and The Wizard of Oz, while showcasing the talents of students and staff from throughout Newark Public Schools.

“What we are doing is, in fact, living our 10-year historic strategic plan right before your very eyes,” Superintendent León told the audience. “The way that we make our city even better than what it has ever dreamed it could be is by us working collaboratively, and tonight is an example of that.”

The production was collaborative from beginning to end. Every model who walked the runway was either a Newark Public Schools student, faculty member, or a staff member. Malcolm X Shabazz High School cosmetology program students provided the models’ makeup, and West Side High School hairstyling students styled the models’ hair.

Guests were welcomed to Oz with a performance of “Ease on Down the Road” by the Malcolm X Shabazz High School marching band before the runway presentations began.

The show’s collections demonstrated how students interpreted themes from Wicked through original fashion concepts and avant-garde designs. The first collection, “No One Mourns the Wicked,” set the tone for the evening with dramatic designs inspired by the opening scenes of Wicked.

The “Shiz University” collection incorporated elements inspired by the Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design, with the first model being the school’s principal, Soraia Mendes, followed by many of her students on the runway.

The “Popular” collection celebrated the iconic song made famous by Glinda. Featuring layers of frills, sequins, tiaras, and shades of pink reminiscent of the character’s signature style, the collection drew enthusiastic reactions from the audience.

Additional collections included the “Sneaker Street Scene Rizz” collection, which opened with a video of Dorothy’s black-and-white dream sequence that hurled her from Kansas to Oz, and featured designs by students at Barringer High School, Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark, and Newark Vocational High School, as well as NSFD students.

Artists of all kinds rounded out the show. Leah Crespo of Arts High School joined East Side High School’s Ana Pinho for a tender rendition of “For Good,” the signature song from Wicked. The sax solo was played by Crespo’s older brother, Miguel Rodriguez Bermudez who graduated from Arts High School last year and now is attending William Paterson University. He was famously offered a position as a music teacher by Superintendent León last year at graduation. A video from Communications Director Paul Brubaker of the event went viral with millions of views. University High School’s national duo-interpretation champions, Dante Elliott and Josemanuel De Leon, gave a compelling performance of Run by Kristy Thomas. Before the show, hors d’oeuvres were prepared and served by Newark Vocational High School Culinary Arts students, and the Arts High School Latin Jazz Band performed.

Eric E-stylz Santiago, a celebrity stylist who works as Tamron Hall’s wardrobe supervisor, returned as the fashion show’s producer. Actor Steven Strickland (Law & Order, FBI) hosted the afternoon show and Shannon LaNier – an Emmy Award-winning news anchor, actor, and fatherhood influencer – hosted the evening show.

The annual fashion show serves as NSFD’s culminating presentation of the Senior Capstone Project. Through the capstone experience, students apply the skills they have developed over four years of study in fashion design, illustration, sewing, visual arts, research, and creative problem-solving to create original mini capsule collections. NSFD is one of 11 new schools opened by Superintendent León and serves as of the five new high schools. In the high school (re)design strategy, each high school is partnered with a higher education partner. Newark School of Fashion and Design is proud of the partnership with Parsons School of Design – The New School in all of its works.

Principal Sakina Pitts said the project challenged students to look beyond fashion as clothing and instead use it as a vehicle for storytelling and advocacy.

“At the Newark School of Fashion & Design, our students are artivists who create fashion with a purpose,” Pitts said. “This year’s collections demonstrate not only their technical skills as designers, but also their ability to communicate ideas, challenge assumptions, and celebrate individuality through their work.”

“The creativity and craftsmanship of the Newark School of Fashion & Design students were remarkable, but what made this event truly special was the way students and staff from schools across the district came together to support one another and contribute their talents,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “From the designers and models to the musicians, performers, and cosmetology students, this production was a powerful reminder that when we work together, we can create experiences that inspire our entire community.”

Last year, NSFD premiered the district’s first reality show, Newark Fashion Forward, now streaming on the In The Black network. The show featured three teams of student designers competing for a prize valued at $10,000. NSFD students have also decorated a Halsey Street storefront with original fashions, designed spirit wear for Rutgers University- Newark, competed in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Fashion Competition at Nationals—earning first place in San Diego and third place in Colorado—and shown their work at Atlantic City Fashion Week. At the school’s opening, students designed cleats for New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The school will hold commencement for its second graduating class on June 23, 2026.