Newark School of Fashion & Design Students Present School’s First Fashion Show

NEWARK, N.J. – In a spectacular display of talent and creativity, Newark School of Fashion and Design (NSFD) students’ original designs graced the catwalk at the school’s first fashion show.

“We are extremely excited about the first fashion show of the Newark School of Fashion & Design,” said Superintendent León. “There’s nothing like seeing beautiful fashions created by our students presented in such a professional production, and it was so great to have so many students from other district high schools involved in the production.”

Each of the student-created designs was professionally modelled. The models’ make up was done by cosmetology students from West Side High School, and hair was done by Malcolm X Shabazz High School cosmetology students. American History High School and Bard High School Early College students worked as ushers, the Arts High School Latin Band performed, the Newark Vocational High School Culinary Arts students and Hospitality program students catered the event, and the school’s graphic design students printed the event’s program. There were performances by Central High School, Eagle Academy, East Side High School, Science Park High School, and University High School. Technology support was provided by Technology High School and the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology. Security support was provided by Barringer High School, and special services were provided by Weequahic High School and the Newark School of Global Studies.

The fashion show was the culminating event of an exciting year at NSFD, led by Principal Sakina Pitts. Last fall, the school premiered the District’s first reality show, Newark Fashion Forward, in which three teams of student designers competed for a prize worth $10,000. During the winter holiday season, NSFD students decorated a Halsey Street storefront using their original fashions. In February, Rutgers University - Newark released new spirit wear designed by NSFD students featuring the school’s new mascot, the Scarlet Raider.  Previously, NSFD students participated in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Fashion Competition at Nationals and took home first place in San Diego and third place in Colorado. Their fashion designs have also graced the runway at Atlantic City Fashion Week (ACFW). At the opening of the school, students designed the cleats of New York Jets Wide Receiver Garrett Wilson. The school will hold the commencement for its first graduating class next week.

“This fashion show was a celebration of the brilliance, creativity, and hard work which went into the Capstone Projects of our student designers,” said Principal Pitts. “I couldn’t be more proud of our students’ growth these past few years, and we’re thrilled by the chance to see their talent on display at this first fashion show with the support and participation of all of the other Newark high schools as well.”

“The Newark School of Fashion and Design continues to be a shining example of how education can ignite creativity and open doors for our students,” said Hasani K. Council, President of the Newark Board of Education. “This first-ever fashion show is a powerful reminder that when we invest in our young people’s passions, they rise to the occasion and exceed all expectations.”

Hosting the event was Shannon LaNier, an Emmy Award-winning news anchor, actor, and fatherhood influencer who currently stars in Tyler Perry’s Duplicity, a feature film currently streaming on Amazon Prime. The show was produced by Eric E-Stylz Santiago, a celebrity fashion and wardrobe stylist and retail visual merchandiser specializing in fashion and design.

Newark Public Schools also thanked and acknowledged Michael Devon for his assistance in model casting, Angelo “Rizz” Rizzolo for his technical support, and seven-year-old model Montana Monroe Jenkins for participating in the fashion show.