Sustainability and Red Carpet Glamour Set to Shine at South Florida Fashion Academy’s End-of-Year Second Annual Student Fashion Show

DATE: Friday, June 7, 2024 

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center

ADDRESS:  1409 NW 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311

PARKING: Complimentary parking available in adjacent parking lot 

Seven emerging fashion designers in middle and high school attending Florida’s leading fashion and beauty academy, South Florida Fashion Academy, are gearing up to reveal new fashion collections next month at the academy’s Second Annual Student Fashion Show and Portfolio Review in Fort Lauderdale’s new Arts Village District at the new YMCA in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. located at 1409 NW 6th Street from 6.pm. to 9 p.m.

Distinguished and talented SFFA middle and high school students (grades 6 - 12) will each present their own unique fashion capsule in front of more than 200 guests at this year’s fashion show, with everyone from parents to media and local fashion influencers in attendance. “If ticket sales are any indication, this will be one of Fort Lauderdale’s most anticipated fashion events of the year, with nearly 70 percent of tickets already sold. We’re proud to support and embolden these young, creative fashion students as they lead the way as the next generation of talented fashion designers,” said Taj McGill, founder and creative director of the South Florida Fashion Academy. 

This year’s student fashion designers will include Blake Sabrin, Evrose Myrtil, Gabby Isom, Khyla Beaujin, Khyla Purchas, Rosetta Smith, Selicia Robinson and Terreek Guillaume. “These emerging fashion designers have worked diligently to handcraft these unique fashion collections and they are excited to present them to the public. Each student will present six to 8 creative fashion looks that range from sustainable upcycled fashion ensembles to urban streetwear and glamorous red carpet ensembles,” McGill continued.

During this year’s fashion show event, SFFA will spotlight and celebrate one talented fashion design student with the Designer of The Year Award, which will be presented with a scholarship by the academy’s Fashion Director, Mr. Vice. “It’s inspiring to work with these young and passionate students every day.  This is why I founded the academy– to help them develop their craft and provide them with the resources and tools necessary to bring their fashion design and beauty concepts to fruition. This year’s recipient for the DOTY won’t be revealed until the night of the event, but I can say the student is quite an innovative fashion design student and we’re excited to celebrate their creativity at this year’s fashion show,” said McGill.

With live beats provided by DJ Sam Goodman and light refreshments available to attendees, Broward County’s favorite fashionistas will come together to mingle, enjoy innovative fashion and beauty, hosted by the academy’s brightest students. “We’re extremely excited and proud of this year’s graduating SFFA students and what they have created– as our fourth year operating the South Florida Fashion Academy, this is a special moment for our entire team and students alike. We have now graduated 1,000 students, the majority of which are Black and Latino students. As a Black woman myself, it brings me so much joy to pour into other young Black and Brown students and help them fulfill their destiny,” McGilll continued.

Established in 2019, SFFA has built an outstanding School of Fashion for emerging young fashion designers. “The school is going to officially be renamed after me and we will host a ceremony during the fashion show event for this special occasion. Taj is a remarkably dedicated and passionate founder and creative director, and without her none of this would be possible. She used her knowledge as a celebrity fashion stylist to create a fashion school that can help young kids. With no other fashion school in Broward County, that is quite an impactful move that will ultimately provide young kids an educational outlet to enhance their creative side and propel them into a long and successful fashion or beauty career,” ____ stated.

Graduating SFFA business and beauty students will also be in attendance celebrating the completion of the school year and earning college credits or state certifications via their dual enrollment program in partnership with local colleges and universities. “We work with numerous collegiate schools across the state of Florida to enable our students to receive college credits or certifications. Our partnerships for these programs include Miami Dade College, Miami Fashion Dade College, and the University of South Florida (USF). Not only are our students learning real skills in our various fashion, beauty and business programs, but they are earning real college credits or certificates in their chosen specialized field that can help them jumpstart their new budding careers,” McGill said.

Local fashionistas are encouraged to attend and can purchase tickets to the SFFA’s Second Annual End-of-Year Fashion Show online starting at $20– tickets go on sale May 9, 2024. Follow @SouthFloridaFashionAcademy on Instagram for ticket link information and official announcements. To learn more, to inquire about media passes or request influencer tickets, 

please email:  Samantha@Savory-PR.com or call 305.582.5997.

ABOUT TAJ MCGILL

Taj McGill is the founder & executive director of the South Florida Fashion Academy (SFFA). As a dedicated fashion stylist and image consultant turned fashion educator, McGill is dedicated to birthing the next generation of fashion and beauty creative professionals and entrepreneurs in South Florida. Prior to founding and leading SFFA, McGil also worked within the fashion industry hosting numerous radio fashion shows in South Florida. She holds a B.A. degree in fashion design from the Fort Lauderdale Art Institute and is passionate about developing the next generation of inspiring fashion designers and beauticians.  Learn more about Taj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tajmcgill. 

ABOUT SFFA 

South Florida Fashion Academy’s mission in South Florida is to educate, inspire and illuminate an intense desire to optimize the creative minds of students seeking a career in the Arts, Fashion and Beauty Industries. With a focus on young Black creative grade school students, SFFA provides students with an innovative quality education supported with world-renowned resources, practical skills and the confidence to be a world-class fashion and/or beauty professional. South Florida Fashion Academy will prepare students for professional excellence in art, fashion and beauty through rigorous and adaptable academic programs, experiential learning and ingenious partnerships that embrace inclusiveness, sustainability and a sense of community. SFFA’s experienced instructors teach students how to become proficient in the arts, fashion and beauty industries with a strong focus on excelling in all necessary required academic areas mandated by the state of Florida. 

Learn more about SFFA online:

https://www.instagram.com/southfloridafashionacademy

http://southfloridafashionacademy.com

https://www.facebook.com/southfloridafashionacademy