When I was 18 years old and moved to NYC from Chicago, IL. to attend Pratt Institute, I was a budding fashionista that wore Jean Paul Gaultier, Willie Smith, and great vintage finds. My classmates, who later became lifelong friends were inspired by art, music, and fashion designers like; JPG, YSL, Gucci, Fendi, Ungaro, Carolina Herrera, Oscar De la Renta, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Arnold Scassi, and many emerging downtown brands on the NYC fashion and nightlife scene in the early 90s.
The pinnacle of it all as an art and design student was attending or working at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in whatever compacity possible, mainly as a dresser or intern. I was lucky enough to dress many top models of the moment in power house looks by many American designers. As a student in my freshman and sophomore year at Pratt, I worked for a licensing company called UBI which is a job I got after giving out 20 resumes and one interview referral on 7th Avenue. I also interned at Bethann Hardison's agency in Tribeca where Tyson Bedford, Veronica Webb, and many others launched their careers. As well as NOW Modeling Agency that had a roster of all foreign models, working at these two agencies was a master class in fashion, commerce, beauty, and business. In the midst of all these internships, working part time, juggling school, photo shoots as a budding makeup artists, and busy nightlife social calendar, I am well acquainted with what it means to be a struggling artist.
My NFIF Partner, Javier Pedroza, and I felt now is the time to elevate diversity and all that we have to offer with decades of experience collectively in the creative arts. Our inaugural brands are Lana Ogilvie Cosmetics, Tatee Sakr, HiPost by Kelly Glusovich, Modestly Cupcakes, and Kent State Fashion Alum, D'Antae Butler.
THE NEXT FRONTIER IN FASHION EXPERIENCE
We look forward to being an incubator for national and global expansion. Next Frontier In Fashion (NFIF) realizes as the landscape of beauty, fashion, and retail is changing in the 21st century and beyond, consumers are demanding representation from mass to high end brands. You can no longer use the same formulas and expect major success in retail. Social media has been a strong tool into giving small and more established brands more access to a global market especially with targeted marketing/posts, pop ups, and many more innovative activations.
NFIF is meant to be a full fashion experience from the moment you walk into the door at Room and Board; flowing drinks, small bites, fashion show, designer and beauty pop ups, great music, and a VIP Lounge.
LEARN MORE ABOUT NFIF HERE: www.nextfrontierinfashion.org
