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.
MY FASHION EXPERIENCE IN NEW YORK
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
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).