Huntington Fashion Students Model Gorgeous Designs

Huntington High School fashion design students showed off their work at two public shows in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium that coincided with the district’s annual art show.

The show consisted of Fashion I, II and III and Portfolio in Fashion Design students plus several guest models. The teenagers made a variety of garments. Art teacher Kim Valerio heads the high school fashion design program and she smiled broadly throughout the afternoon and evening shows.

Fashion program intern Toni Reyes-Sorto served as master of ceremonies, introducing each of the students’ designs as the models entered the runway.

“In addition to a variety of garments created by my Fashion 1 students, my Fashion 2, 3, and Portfolio students walked the runway in a themed part of the fashion show titled ‘Seasons,’” Ms. Valerio said

Show highlight included:

• Toni Reyes-Sorto wore a gray and black velvet coat with fur trim that he created to represent winter. He also created a stunning deep purple gown that was worn by his guest model, Josie Sullivan.

• Mason Gomez (Fashion 3) created a three-piece winter outfit that included a white rib knit turtleneck top, white fur trimmed shorts and a white fur cape with white pom-pom ties.

• Kimora Fuller (Fashion 3) created a white fur dress for winter, accessorizing it with white lace tights and white platform boots.

• Representing spring, Charles Desrochers (Fashion 2) created printed pants with pockets and zipper detailing, and a coordinating white shirt that used the same printed fabric for the logo in the center. He used a custom designed printed fabric that he and Advanced Computer Graphics student Kenneth Gilhuley collaborated on creating.

• Isabella Goutevenier (Fashion 2) created a custom three-piece winter outfit that included hand embroidery on the vest. She also created a white fur rabbit-eared hoodie, worn by her guest model Jasmine Adcock.

• Liva Camarata  (Fashion 3) created a sparkly red top and a flowy white skirt that she wore on the runway, representing summer. She also created three additional tops that were worn by her guest models, Natalie Parrott, Caleigh Camarata and Nova Camarata.

• A’Shai Vessup  (Fashion 2) created a summery matching top and skirt using black and white polka dot and red fabrics. She walked the runway with her younger brother, Rajon, for whom she also created a top.

• Stephen Spina (Portfolio in Fashion) created a purple hand-stenciled skirt and a gold mesh top for summer. He also created a lavender knit sun dress, worn by his guest model, Izzy Gregorio.

Art teacher Kim Valerio

A graduate of Harborfields High School, Ms. Valerio holds an undergraduate degree from Parsons School of Design. After working for many years in graphic arts, mostly in New York City, she returned to college and obtained a master’s degree in art education at Long Island University-CW Post.

Ms. Valerio completed her student teaching requirements in Huntington. She then worked as a substitute teacher in Huntington and in several other surrounding districts. She was hired as a part-time art teacher in Huntington in 2010 and became full-time in 2015. Throughout the years she has worked in all eight buildings in the district in some capacity.