WASHINGTON – A group of Howard University students within the Division of Fine Arts recently traveled to New York City to meet award-winning fashion designer Carlos Campos for an intimate question and answer conversation and a tour of his Manhattan studio. Coordinated by Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) fashion student Iran Paylor, the trip was planned as an opportunity for Howard students to gain inspiration and create gateways into the fashion industry, from design to photography. 

Campos, an inductee of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, launched his namesake brand CARLOS CAMPOS NEW YORK, in 2007 as a modern take on "classic American style, with a Latin twist,” and has since received the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star for Menswear award and the VANIDADES Emerging Designer Award.  Just a week prior to the visit, Paylor earned an opportunity to work alongside Campos on numerous design projects. But, instead of solely benefiting from his connection to Campos, Paylor decided to forge a path for his classmates as well. 

“It was important for me to create a gateway for students of my university to not only have hands-on experience, but to get a shoe in [to] the industry. In the fashion world it’s about having access to the right people and knowing the information that can take you to the next level. That’s a major part of fashion education that can’t be taught in the classroom,” Paylor explains. “I wanted to pay it forward and share my resources to my classmates to hopefully develop a partnership program where Howard University students will work with Carlos Campos and develop in the industry for decades to come.”

After chatting with students for more than 2 hours about everything from their designs to their many inspirations, Campos gave a tour of the space where models are casted for runway shows, and the intricate details of selecting fabrics for different designs. Fashion Design Professor Micky Taylor says the unique opportunity for emerging designers to interact with a seasoned and established fashion designer is critical for establishing a fundamental understanding on the design process and the industry as a whole. 

“Access for the students is a wonderful opportunity to get real-world experiences and tutelage from a top designer such as Mr. Campos,” Taylor explains. “It also means building relationships in the industry that launch or further enhance future careers. Iran, our fashion design graduate student, has played an integral part of our Fashion Program. He has consistently shared his already established relationships and experiences with our students — this goes along to further developing and increasing our program.”

As a first acknowledgement of the talent among Howard University students, Campos has invited photography and film students who attended the visit to return to New York during New York Fashion Week to cover his events as videographers. They will have the opportunity to create a reel on behind-the-scenes footage from his runway shows. 

Prospective students interested in learning more about the Howard University Fashion Design Program should visit http://www.art.howard.edu. For more information on CARLOS CAMPOS NEW YORK, visit https://carloscampos.com. 

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media contact: Ramzey Smith, Office of University Communications, ramzey.smith@howard.edu