South Florida Fashion Academy’s founder and creative director, Taj McGill, is excited to celebrate her students’ passion and new skillsets this Friday, June 7, 2024, in the Arts District of Fort Lauderdale. The immersive fashion runway show will take place at the new YMCA in Fort Lauderdale, located at 1409 NW 6th Street, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
When McGill began her career as a celebrity stylist in South Florida nearly 15 years ago, starting a fashion school wasn’t in her plans. Now, she is celebrating six years since founding the academy. SF/FA has earned a reputation as an illustrious and innovative fashion and beauty school for middle and high school students in Fort Lauderdale. The academy is proud to have educated and graduated more than 1,000 students, many of whom are passionate Black and Brown students from Broward and Miami-Dade counties. As the school year concludes this June, SF/FA is thrilled to honor its students and leadership team with this spectacular runway show in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.
The Second Annual Student Fashion Show and Portfolio Review will allow students to present their unique fashion collections to an audience of 200 guests, including parents, media, and local fashion influencers. “If ticket sales are any indication, this will be one of Fort Lauderdale’s most anticipated fashion events of the year, with nearly 80 percent of tickets already sold. We’re proud to support and empower 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 include Blake Sabrin, Evrose Myrtil, Gabby Isom, Khyla Beaujin, Khyla Purchas, Rosetta Smith, Selicia Robinson, and Terreek Guillaume. “These emerging designers have worked diligently over the past year to handcraft their unique fashion collections and are excited to present them to the world. Each student will showcase six to eight creative fashion looks, ranging from sustainable upcycled fashion capsules to urban streetwear and glamorous red carpet ensembles,” McGill shared.
During this year’s event, SFFA will spotlight one exceptional fashion design student with the Designer of The Year Award. The award, accompanied by a scholarship, will be presented 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 the resources and tools necessary to bring their fashion design and beauty concepts to fruition. This year’s DOTY recipient won’t be revealed until the night of the event, but I can say the student is quite an innovative fashion creative,” said McGill.
With live beats provided by DJ Sam Goodman and light refreshments for attendees, Broward County’s fashionistas will gather to celebrate the innovative fashion and beauty concepts of the academy’s brightest students. “We’re extremely excited and proud of this year’s graduating SFFA students and what they have created. As we celebrate our fourth year of operation, this moment is special for our entire team and students alike. We have now graduated over 1,000 students, many of whom are bright Black and Latino individuals. As a Black woman myself, it brings me immense joy to support other young Black and Brown students and help them fulfill their destinies,” McGill continued.
McGill, a true creative, takes pride in having founded and developed SF/FA into a renowned institute of learning and creativity. “Do it scared is a motto I’ve always lived by,” she says. SF/FA offers a diverse range of programs in fashion design and merchandising, barbering, cosmetology, makeup artistry, skincare, nail technology, as well as business development and entrepreneurship. “Our unique programs were designed by my team and me for middle and high school students, with the mission to educate, inspire, and foster a creative environment that imparts advanced knowledge and entrepreneurial skills. Our faculty and staff were meticulously selected to provide students with experienced, knowledgeable, innovative, and talented individuals, all dedicated to nurturing the next generation of fashion, beauty, and business enthusiasts,” McGill explains.
SF/FA specializes in beauty, fashion, and business programs for students in sixth through twelfth grade. “We’re proud to educate and guide local creative students towards earning their licenses and certifications in their chosen fields through a variety of informative electives. Our aim is to prepare them for real-world success and sustainable careers,” says McGill, the founder and Creative Director of SF/FA.
Taj McGill elaborates, “Our goal at South Florida Fashion Academy is to nurture and develop the next generation of trailblazers, with a particular focus on the Black community in Fort Lauderdale and the greater South Florida area.”
Taj McGill, the founder and Executive Director of South Florida Fashion Academy (SF/FA), leverages her background as a fashion stylist and image consultant to train and inspire young minds. She is an advisory board member for the Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Miami-Dade, a member of Fashion Group International, and an active community leader deeply respected in the fashion education sector.
McGill has committed her life to expanding SF/FA, ensuring it provides students with a top-notch education, world-class resources, practical skills, and the confidence to excel as professionals in business, fashion, and beauty. Her passion lies in preparing young, ambitious students for success through rigorous and flexible academic programs and innovative partnerships that champion inclusiveness, sustainability, and community. SF/FA’s seasoned instructors guide students to proficiency in the arts, fashion, and beauty industries, with a strong emphasis on meeting all academic requirements set by the state of Florida.
Interested parties can learn more about Taj McGill, SF/FA and buy tickets to this year’s student fashion show online:
https://www.instagram.com/tajmcgill
https://www.instagram.com/southfloridafashionacademy.