High School of Fashion Industries to honour Awake NY’s Angelo Baque at student fashion show

The annual fashion show in which the HSFI graduating class presents their designs on the runway, is also a fundraising event that aims to raise money for student scholarships. All proceeds raised during the fundraising from ticket purchases for the event and donations go towards the scholarships.

Throughout the school year, the senior class received guidance from industry designers and other professionals, culminating in the HSFI Career Day and the Fashion Show Preview where experts advise the students on their final designs for the runway show.

During the final student runway show, the young designers showcased a total of 90 looks which they modelled, styled and choreographed themselves.

In addition to recognizing the work of Angelo Baque, the school also honours US postal service UPS. The company will receive the Fashion Equity Award for its support in the form of donations to the students of the High School of Fashion Industries.

Three Latinx students of the HSFI graduating class of 2023 receive UPS scholarships worth 25 thousand dollars each (about 20 thousand pounds) to pay for their college education.

The 2023 recipients were Julia Gonzaga, Luna Flores and Merlin Bonilla. The students were selected through an application and interview process and stood out due to their “tremendous promise and outstanding accomplishments”, HSFI shared in a post-show release.

During last year’s NYFW in September, Angelo Baque partnered with UPS on the project ‘La Bodega Baque’ which championed the spirit of the Latinx community entrepreneurs, featuring merchandise sold exclusively by Latinx-owned small businesses. It also presented a special UPS x Awake NY collaborative collection, of which all the profits, along with 50 thousand dollars (about 40 thousand pounds) in grants, went to the HSFI to fund their scholarship program that supports the next generation of Latinx fashion designers and entrepreneurs.

At NYFW FW23 in February, UPS presented its first limited edition apparel and merchandise collection. All proceeds went to non-profit organisation In the Blk which aims to uplift and build economic independence for black fashion brands and individuals in the global industry.

Awake NY’s Angelo Baque, who worked as Supreme’s brand director from 2007 until 2017, said in a statement: “I’m grateful for this recognition and the fantastic work we did alongside UPS for the 2022 of NYFW in support of HSFI. Still, the true honorees are the kids, teachers, administrators, and supporters of HSFI, who are shaping the future of fashion.”

Jeffrey LeFrancois, executive director at New York’s Meatpacking District added: “We are thrilled that our plazas will become runways for this year’s High School of Fashion Industries Student Fashion Show.” He continued: “The future of fashion has always come from New York City, and the Meatpacking District is a destination for style and innovation, making it the perfect backdrop for students to showcase their creativity. We can’t wait to see their final creations!”

Previous recipients of the HSFI awards include Ken Downing, Ruth Finley, Jeffrey Kalinsky, Tracey Reese, Daniela Vitale, and Gary Wassner.

This article has been updated after publication with the names of the scholarship recipients from HSFI.