Fashion for middle school learners – How fashion Professor Jeffrey Ampratwum provides creative opportunities for the youth

We have seen the results of underrepresented and misguided youth in struggling communities and the outcomes that it can produce. Statistics show that miseducation in formative adolescence growth may cause a push towards a road less traveled. Quality education is and has always been at the beginning of every conversation with respect to building careers and developing prominent members of society. Our youth, particularly in Brown and Black communities – feel the effects even more when there are disparities in learning communities. The Bronx has always been a place within New York City which has been synonymous with the idea of struggle. One of the poorest districts in of all of the county, 1 of 5 boroughs in NYC – are eyes all on the BX.

Jeff with 7th Grade Fashion Student

One special individual utilized positive experiences and healthy relationships to navigate a challenging upbringing. Jeffrey Ampratwum now teaches Fashion Studies within the borough to hundreds of middle school learners – pushing the envelope and introducing conversations about the need for more opportunities. I had the pleasure of speaking openly with Jeff about his fashion vision and the importance of quality creative education for the youth.

Jeff teaching fashion design in the Bronx

BW: Jeff, Were you a straight A student?

Jeff: Haha. My A’s had slight curves in them at times, but for the most part – I was a very decent and disciplined student. Particularly in elementary. High school presented some challenges, simply because there were too many friends in one building. It is a recipe for game-playing. However, I did well.

BW: When did you start studying fashion? How early on was that?

Jeff: Actually, I didn’t pick up a formal fashion education until I was an existing senior at the university. Very bizarre. But I did not know you could actually study how to become a designer or a fashion professional. Those ideas were not very well drawn out nor advertised widely within the city. So you wouldn’t sit around and think too much about it. However, I remained creative and began doing research and events on a collegiate level.

BW: When exactly did you receive your formal education?

Jeff: After college, I went to Paris out of curiosity and it served as an additional inspiration for all of the fashion fantasies I was holding onto. I connected with a few artists there and began to develop an art exhibition focused on styling womenswear. I became the creative director of the project. That allowed me to gain more knowledge on the processes of dress-making, styling and art curation.

BW: How different was Paris fashion from New York fashion and what did that do for you as an artist?

Jeff: Paris is very much Art Deco, architectural and romantic which adds to the softness of design, New York has more of an edgy feel and lends to more complimentary styling. I felt I needed to share all of the new findings with colleges and friends, particularly to younger students that I was mentoring back at the university.

Jeff in Paris with his first womenswear collection – House of Merlot

BW: Today, what is your role in fashion and how can you successfully bridge the gap between academic learning and fashion studies?

Jeff: Currently, I am a creative fashion director for my own styling agency, an instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology with a focus in menswear and I also teach fashion studies to middle school learners in the Bronx. I thought the latter was incredibly important to introduce the youth while they are still impressionable. Fashionably speaking, in depth, the courses focus on proper male/men’s dressing, suiting, dress etiquette in the work place, grooming, as well as areas in female/ women’s dressing for corporate ascension, casual vs. formal wear and areas of beauty. The courses have proven to strike an honest cord with the scholars, in which they are able to effectively express their creativity and at the same time realize the importance of presentation in today’s market and society.

Jeff teaching wardrobe styling at the Fashion Institute of Technology

The students are given a full hands-on, fun and interactive experience and learn about the various concepts of fashion style and design. The full curriculum runs parallel to the fashion calendar (which students find exciting) and covers areas of fashion design, fashion brands, fashion photography, editorial makeup and hair looks, fashion magazines, guest speakers about the state of the culture and industry, runway shows, social media influencers market, modeling, celebrity styling, jobs in fashion and fashion in music, just to name a few. The updated current material gives the scholars the opportunity to learn how to brand themselves through digital presentation. (i.e Zoom, TikTok, Snapchat, etc.). The course is essentially a gateway to introduce the concept and importance of proper presentation, etiquette, personal style, as well as providing career insight and programing to youth of this community. And fashion is the vehicle being used to drive home essential messages about the importance of a quality education.

Connect with Jeffrey Ampratwum on Instagram via @Che_Dior