• by Tanya Gazdik , September 8, 2022

UPS is returning to New York Fashion Week with an initiative that aims to support the Latinx community.

The activation, created by the Martin Agency, includes a creative partnership with Latinx creative Angelo Baque, founder of AwakeNY, who created a clothing collection. 

The event is designed to spotlight the Latinx fashion community and help grow businesses, according to UPS.

Within the fashion industry, only 4% of the most influential people in fashion are Latino, per UPS. The transportation company is committed to supporting the health and growth of diverse-owned small and medium-sized businesses, with more than $1 million in grants through its Be Unstoppable campaign and partnerships with New York Fashion Week and others.

UPS will drop its first-ever capsule Latinx fashion collaboration which will include a limited edition Unidos Para Siempre collection (United Forever) featuring a jacket, hoodie, bucket hat and T-shirt. 

The profits of the UPS x Awake NY collaboration will go to New York City’s High School of Fashion Industries, to support future Latinx fashion creators. The school focuses on nurturing the future of fashion designers and businesses. 

The company is also conducting a takeover of La Bodega Baque. The interior will be curated with Latinx-owned small businesses with goods, designer apparel and more.

Bodega guests can also find a mural designed by Latinx artist, contemporary artist Cristina Martinez and a floral mural designed by Flower Bodega, a Latina-owned floral design studio.

UPS also will host a panel conversation at Spring Studios on Sept. 10 about cultivating the future for Latinx creators in today's world, as well as the importance of corporate efforts in support of the community. 

Finally, a custom UPS truck will make its way around the city with a design that pays homage to the campaign and limited-edition line.