EPCC fashion students win big at 2024 Fashion Group International showcase

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Students from El Paso Community College’s Fashion Technology Program took home honors at the 2024 Fashion Group International, including a first-place award in the Bridal category.

Three students from EPCC’s Fashion Technology Program took home awards at the 2024 Fashion Group International (FGI) in Dallas, including first-place Bridal winner, Daniel Rodriguez.

“To pursue the competition track while going to school full-time and then adding the pressure of fundraising their own way to get to the ceremony is not easy. We teachers knew we were all extremely proud of each of the students that made it through this rigorous process, win or lose. But of course, very happy they won and were recognized. Last year’s group and this year’s group put EPCC Fashion back on the grid as a highly competitive fashion program,” Fashion Instructor, Vanessa Ramirez, said.

With a focus on sustainability, Rodriguez spent two to three months perfecting his look, which was displayed on a live model during the event.

His first-place title included a $2,000 scholarship, an internship opportunity, an employment opportunity and a special invitation to showcase at the FGI’s annual DIFFA event, raising money for AIDS Awareness.

“All I want to say is that EPCC is winning every category next year,” said Rodriguez. “Also, I want to thank God and all the people that helped make this possible.”

Meanwhile, the wider FGI Scholarship Fashion Showcase featured 140 designs — spanning Eveningwear/Bridal, Sustainability, Streetwear/Daywear, and Cocktail/Party wear — from more than 100 designers attending two and four-year colleges

Overall, EPCC Fashion Technology students reportedly placed in the top five percent of the competition, including honorable mention winners Yazmyn Atkins and Amna Aboushehata.

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Atkins provided three Cocktail looks at the competition, two of which earned a spot in the fashion showcase beside eight others out of 142 designs.

According to EPCC, this was Atikns’ second consecutive year earning recognition from FGI.

Aboushehata was also featured in the fashion showcase, meaning EPCC claimed three of the 10 looks on display.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this competition,” said Aboushehata. ” It has been a journey filled with challenges and growth, pushing me to expand my creative boundaries and showcase my skills in a broader context.”

“We work long and hard to make sure the students keep focused on their designs, endure the process, and help make sure that a win is possible for them. We are not only proud of the three students that endured until the end but also of the others that were not able to complete the journey because we know it is not easy. We are proud of all of them,” Design Instructor, Jose Saenz, said. “I’m so proud of Yazmyn, Amna, and Daniel for their accomplishments and work. It is such a great honor to be recognized by the Fashion Group International. They each have a great future ahead of them and that makes me feel that what I do as a teacher is well done.”

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