Black New York Fashion Week Designer Promotes Fashion with a Purpose

As the fashion elite descended upon New York for Fashion Week in February 2025, one designer made a resounding statement—not just with style, but with purpose. Harlem-based Afro-Colombian designer Edwing D’Angelo celebrated the 5th anniversary of his atelier with a star-studded fundraising soirée blending high fashion with a powerful mission. 

“New York Fashion Week is the perfect moment to showcase not just designs, but the impact fashion can have on lives,” said D’Angelo. “This event isn’t just about celebrating my atelier’s milestone—it’s about using our success to uplift communities.”

The affair was a dazzling fusion of Harlem’s cultural richness and cutting-edge couture. Guests walked the red carpet and enjoyed custom-made cocktails and local cuisine, immersing themselves in an atmosphere where style met philanthropy. Among the luminaries in attendance were actress and Emmy-winning talk show host Sherri Shepherd, legendary stylist Ty Hunter who served as Beyonce’s stylist for 18 years, fashion editor Memsor Kamarake best known for heading Wendy Williams glam squad,  Emmy-winning journalist and entrepreneur Mara S. Campo and Dr. Yusef Salaam, a NYC Council Member and Central Park 5 exoneree turned author and motivational speaker.  

Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty

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D’Angelo’s event was part of a broader movement highlighting the influence of Black designers during New York Fashion Week. Christopher John Rogers opened the week as part of the Vogue runway with his signature bold colors and dramatic designs.  Sergio Hudson, who has dressed former First Lady Jill Biden, Kamala Harris and actress Blake Lively brought his impeccable tailoring and luxurious American sportswear.  Tia Adeola marked a decade of her brand with a collection celebrating her Nigerian heritage, skillfully blending traditional elements with contemporary fashion. Additionally, the Black in Fashion Council Discovery Showroom, now in its tenth season, provided a platform for emerging Black designers, ensuring they gained critical exposure and industry support during one of fashion’s most pivotal weeks.

Beyond the glitz, the evening carried a deeper purpose—proceeds from the fundraiser will support the Edwing D’Angelo Foundation’s mission to train 300 seamstresses in Colombia, empowering them to break free from poverty and make their mark on the fashion industry. The initiative is also expanding to New York City, where it will provide vital skills and opportunities to domestic violence survivors, the formerly incarcerated, and at-risk youth through a forthcoming training center.

“This is about creating real change,” D’Angelo emphasized. “Fashion is more than aesthetics—it’s a vehicle for empowerment, a tool for transforming lives.”

Edwing D’Angelo has long been heralded as Harlem’s own fashion visionary. His designs, blending cultural heritage with contemporary style, have graced the pages of Vogue and turned heads at the Met Gala. But beyond his artistic prowess, he is dedicated to using fashion as a platform for change. His foundation’s work in Colombia and New York exemplifies his belief that fashion should not just be worn—it should be a force for good.