A LITTLE PIECE OF LIGHT JOINS FORCES WITH DESIGNER EDWING D’ANGELO DURING NEW YORK FASHION WEEK TO COMMEMORATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIP-HOP, SHOWCASING THE RESILIENCE OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CARCERAL SYSTEM
On the final day of New York Fashion Week, A Little Piece of Light (ALPOL), an organization dedicated to ending the systemic trauma perpetuated by the criminal justice system, is partnering for the second year in a row with esteemed New York-based fashion designer, Edwing D’Angelo, to put on a fashion show that places people impacted by the carceral system front and center.
All of the models walking in the show have been formerly incarcerated or are otherwise directly impacted by the carceral system, and have worked closely with D’Angelo to create pieces that represent themselves. The collection and runway presentation will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop and its enduring cultural impact, while also commemorating the significant contributions that incarcerated individuals have made to hip-hop’s culture, industry, and music.
D’Angelo’s work has previously been featured on the cover of Vogue Mexico and in movies and television internationally. His designs have been worn by the likes of Laverne Cox, Laurie Metcalf, Tyra Banks, and Patti LaBelle. At this show, D’Angelo will present a provocative collection invoking the ethos and styles of New York City streetwear of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s with contemporary chic aesthetics to represent hip-hop’s journey over the last half-century. The event will be opened with a musical performance by renowned hip-hop artist Boogie Black and DJ Craig Nice.
Interviews will be available with the designer, models, and organizers from A Little Piece of Light. All media wishing to attend should RSVP to [email protected].
WHEN:
Saturday, September 16
Press Check-In: 4:00pm
Showtime: 5:00pm
WHERE:
Edwing D’Angelo Atelier
2231 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard
The Runway will run the block from 131st to 132nd Streets
WHO:
Edwing D’Angelo, Fashion Designer
Donna Hylton, A Little Piece of Light
Audrey Johnson, A Little Piece of Light
Hon. Luis Gilberto Murillo, Colombian Ambassador to Washington DC
Ty Hunter, Stylist with clients including Beyonce and Author
Ashunta Sheriff, Makeup Artist with client including Taraji P. Henson and Alicia Keys
Stacey Gray, Hairstylist and Hip-Hop Beauty Architect
Boogie Black, Hip-Hop Artist
Craig Nice, DJ
LaLa Anthony, TV Personality
ABOUT EDWING D’ANGELO: Edwing D’Angelo is a chic and dashing Colombian-born Harlem-based fashion designer – where he opened his now one-year-old groundbreaking street level 2,000-square-feet Atelier and flagship store – the only one of its kind in this historic New York City neighborhood. D’Angelo attended CUNY Bernard Baruch College, receiving a double major in Business Administration in International Marketing and Fine Arts. The designer is a fifth generation of tailors and seamstresses; one can say garment-making runs in his blood – at home as a child, he got his apprentice technical training and discovered his eclectic, elegant and sophisticated sensibilities.
D’Angelo’s designs have graced the cover of Vogue Mexico featuring reggaeton sensation Karol G, mentions/editorials on Vogue USA, Vogue Italia, Elle Bulgary, The New York Times, reviews on WWD, New York Post, Daily News, Baruch College Magazine, and one of his garments was selected for the Hollywood hit movie “The Devil Wears Prada” starring Meryl Streep. His work has been reported on national television networks including CNN, MTV, NBC’s “The Today Show”, ABC’s “Good Morning America”, CBS’s Morning News, NY1, Full Frontal Fashion, The Associated Press and MSNBC. He is usually invited as a fashion contributor for popular Spanish networks such as Univision, Telemundo, CNN en Espanol, Galavision, NY1 Noticias and Telefutura. D’Angelo has also been featured in all major Spanish publications; The Miami Herald, El Diario/La Prensa, Latina Magazine, Puerto Rican Herald, Hispanic Business Magazine, New York Post Latin Section. As of late, the designer is ascending as a darling of his native Colombia’s fashion elite.
ABOUT A LITTLE PIECE OF LIGHT: A Little Piece of Light (ALPOL) seeks to empower and facilitate healing for women, girls, and gender-fluid individuals who are directly impacted by trauma from and involvement in the criminal justice system. Led by formerly incarcerated and family members of incarcerated individuals, ALPOL mobilizes those that share their collective trauma incited by sexism, racism, violence, poverty, and incarceration.
Chaplain Dr. Donna Hylton, Founder and President of A Little Piece of Light, is an activist and author who advocates for the rights and well-being of women and girls who have been impacted by intersectional trauma such as violent and sexual abuse and assault, domestic violence, police brutality, and incarceration. She is an outspoken proponent of the need to incorporate harm reduction into our policies for addressing societal and justice issues within a humane framework.
Ms. Hylton’s advocacy includes contributing to legislation that seeks to reverse injustice and improve the lives of impacted people, such as the landmark Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA), the New York State Less is More bill, the bail reform movement, and the #CloseRikers campaign. Born in Jamaica, Donna was human trafficked to the United States in an illegal adoption. In desperation to escape unfathomable circumstances, her path led to incarceration at age 20 for 27 years. While imprisoned, she grew in her truth as a survivor of abject trauma, earned three college degrees, and began her activism.
Audrey “AJ” Johnson is a criminal justice reform advocate and women’s rights activist. She currently serves as Housing & Program Manager at A Little Piece of Light, where she oversees the ELLE Initiative, and serves as the point person for ALPOL’s legislative work, including Less is More, the Campaign to Close Rikers, and 13th Forward. As the Housing Manager for ELLE, AJ provides intensive case management services. Formerly incarcerated at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, she brings personal experience navigating reentry, including the struggles of finding housing and employment with a criminal record. As a survivor of childhood trauma and abuse, and retraumatized through prison, she also brings to the work a deep cultural understanding of the experiences and needs of the women program participants. She is committed to being a voice and advocate for the many people that can’t yet speak out.
