The High School of Fashion Industries and the Meatpacking District BID have extended their partnership with a lineup of visual arts and fashion events taking place in the neighborhood this spring, including the return of its annual Student Fashion Show and Fundraiser to Gansevoort Plaza.
This year, Fashion Flags have replaced the standard placemaking street banners and were created by HSFI students featuring avant-garde and creative interpretations of the neighborhood’s streetscape. The Fashion Flags showcase elements of the district from its cobblestone streets to the distinct architecture to the trademark red umbrellas of Gansevoort Plaza, and were selected from 60 submissions by HSFI’s junior class. The Fashion Flags are on display now through the end of June, including NYC x Design Week.
The Meatpacking District is home to such retailers as Gucci, Diane von Furstenberg, Dior, Loro Piana, Alice + Olivia, Hermès, Theory, Warby Parker and Belstaff.
Through Tuesday, Chelsea Market’s Maker Studio will host HSFI’s Industry Art Show, featuring student paintings, drawings and other visual creations. This is the first time these student works are available for the public to view outside the school. The show is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 75 Ninth Avenue.
This year’s partnership culminates with the 36th annual Student Fashion Show and Fundraiser on Gansevoort Plaza on May 29 at 7 p.m. featuring more than 40 designs created, modeled, styled and choreographed by the HSFI graduating senior class.
The event will honor Brandice Daniel, founder of Harlem’s Fashion Row. All proceeds raised at the fundraiser will go to student scholarships.
“We are grateful for the Meatpacking District’s vision to expand our partnership, which embraces even more students and now incorporates three of our majors. Jeffrey [LeFrancois, the Meatpacking District’s executive director] and his team bring experience, exposure and excitement to the HSFI students, realizing our mission of bringing the industry into the classroom. The initiative is a learning experience that creates opportunities, kick-starts careers, and galvanizes the community,” said Daryl Blanks, principal of HSFI.