NYFW like many fashion weeks around the world is manic and chaotic but the line that runs through it all is creativity and reinvention.
I had the pleasure of watching Byron Lars (In Earnest Official) and Victor de Souza Collections strut down the runway at 199 Water Street on September 7th, 2022. Lots of layers, textures, vibrant colors, and a cross section of models
commanding the runway, produced by Ignite The Runway, Jez Magazine, The Image Guru, and Soho Muse, Inc.
On September 8th, 2022, Javier Pedroza and I had the pleasure of launching our new business endeavor the Next Frontier In Business at the spacious Room & Board Furniture showroom in Chelsea. We showcased emerging and diverse brands: D’Antae Butler, Modestly Cupcake, HiPost, Tatee Sakr, Raul Penaranda, and Lana Ogilvie’s skincare and jewelry line (Sabre). It was a vibrant, festive night, with a strong launch at NYFW pushing diversity and inclusion into the forefront. As the world was shifting in 2020, we thought instead of complaining about what the fashion wasn’t doing, we wanted to be apart of the solution.
One thing we know for sure, taking risks are important and to be apart of change is real purpose. So, giving a Black Trans-Woman (D’Antae Butler) a platform to show her collection made my heart smile . Also, having a Latina-Muslim designer.
(Modestly Cupcake), menswear hiphop line (HiPost), Tatee Sakr (Lebanese), Raul Penaranda (Colombian), and Lana Ogilvie Skincare/Sabre was also something we are proud of.
As I write this, many collections are still showing, exciting after parties, and events throughout the city, you get a strong sense of a dynamic shift and people wanting a true change.
Also, other brands that made us all take notice were PUMA, COS, and Tom Hilfiger.
D’angelo Thompson is a three-time Daytime Emmy Nominated Hair and Makeup Artist, “Guest Hair” Daytime Emmy Award winner for the Wendy Williams Show, an accomplished Author, and Podcast Host.
His most recent credits include Law & Order SVU, Season 21, MTV/VH-1/LOGO (Viacom), Amy Trask (CBS Sports), Food Network, Joy Mangano, Amber Stevens West/Andrea DeBordeaux for Run The World (Starz), and Author, James Patterson. His expertise extends to bridal, editorial, commercial, film, and television. Additionally, for over 20 years, D’angelo has been a consultant and educator in partnerships with Il Makiage, Glamour Dolls Makeup, Chic Studios, Makeup For Ever, Calvin Klein Cosmetics, LORAC, and others.
As an Author, D’angelo penned and published “Enhanced Beauty”, “Enhanced Beauty for Teens “, “Enhanced Beauty: Men’s Grooming”, and “A 100 Days of Gratitude”. All are available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and other online retailers.
He is also the host of “Gratitude Is A Journey” available on Anchor.fm/dangelo- thompson and “Beauty & Gratitude” a series on Soulivity Magazine’s ‘SoulivityTV’, available on Youtube.
D’angelo was educated at Pratt Institute for two years in Fashion Merchandising and Fine Art and through mentorships with Alfred Fornay, Byron Barnes, and Sherry Lee. He further attended The Makeup Institute of California, MAC Pro, Makeup Forever Pro/Academy Workshops, Lash Extension Certification through NYIB, and Basic FX lessons from Daytime Emmy Award-Winning artist, Ingrid Okola. He also holds practitioner licenses and accreditations in Emotional Intelligence, Reiki, Crystal Healing, and Hypnotherapy. Currently attending National University, studying Psychology.
As a community activist, he organizes yearly fundraisers to support AIDS research, education, and advocacy with The Latino Commission on AIDS (2009-2017), youth initiatives, domestic violence, and sex trafficking awareness (2000-Present), social justice, and LGBTQ rights & safety (1990-Present).