HERMENSVALID X WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSISTUTE FASHION SHOW
- HERMENSVALID
- Jul 4
- 6 min read
HERMENSVALID RETURNS FOR THIRD SEASON WITH WPI STUDENT MODELS, FEATURING LUH TYLER AND RISING DESIGNERS IN AN UNFORGETTABLE WORCESTER SHOWCASE
For the third consecutive season, HERMENSVALID — the bold and culture-driven fashion brand founded by Ghanaian-American designer Hermen Acheampong — returns to Worcester for another unforgettable collaboration with WPI Student Models. Known for transforming fashion shows into immersive cultural events, HERMENSVALID brings its signature blend of fashion, music, art, and energy to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), solidifying its role as a unifying force in youth culture and creative expression.
This year’s event isn’t just a fashion show — it’s a full-on celebration of talent, identity, and innovation. Headlining the musical lineup is none other than Luh Tyler, the chart-rising rapper and Gen Z icon whose viral flows and "aura" mirror the very essence of what HERMENSVALID stands for: authenticity, creativity, and staying true to self. Accompanying this star-studded showcase are a new wave of emerging designers, each bringing a fresh voice and unique aesthetic to the runway, continuing the brand’s commitment to uplifting underrepresented creatives and building community through fashion.
A CITY. A CAMPUS. A CULTURE SHIFT.
Set against the backdrop of Worcester, Massachusetts, the third season of HERMENSVALID’s partnership with WPI Student Models is more than just a homecoming — it’s a cultural reset. With two successful seasons already under its belt, the WPI collaboration has become one of the most anticipated events in the city, drawing students, creatives, athletes, influencers, and artists from across New England.
What began as a student-led initiative to bring fashion to campus has grown into something far more impactful. Thanks to the vision of Hermen Acheampong and the belief of WPI’s student body, the show has evolved into an inclusive platform where individuality is celebrated, creativity is nurtured, and the next generation of leaders in fashion and music get their spotlight.
Season 3 promises to raise the bar even higher, with a multi-layered production that integrates immersive fashion storytelling, live performance, and raw student energy.
A BRAND THAT STANDS FOR MORE
HERMENSVALID is no stranger to the college scene. The brand has hosted fashion shows at over 11 colleges and universities, from Boston University to UMass Dartmouth, winning over audiences with its visionary storytelling and emphasis on identity, legacy, and community.
Every HERMENSVALID show is built around a narrative — one that blends streetwear, luxury fashion, Black art, and pop culture to create an experience that lingers long after the lights go down. From stitched symbols of African heritage to fabric choices rooted in personal memory, every garment tells a story. That’s the magic of HERMENSVALID — it isn’t just fashion. It’s a visual language.
With the WPI Student Models, that language is amplified by the raw enthusiasm of students stepping into their power — many walking the runway for the first time, fully embodying the brand's message: Validated from within.
This collaboration works because it’s not about perfection — it’s about presence. It’s about showing up in your truth. And this year, they’re showing up loud.
THE ENERGY OF LUH TYLER
In a time where fashion and music are in constant conversation, it only makes sense that this year’s headliner would be someone who personifies both style and sonic innovation. Luh Tyler, the 18-year-old rap phenom out of Tallahassee, Florida, is one of the most exciting young artists in the game today. With viral tracks like Back Flippin and Law & Order, he’s made a name for himself through his effortless charisma, sleek beats, and fresh perspective on youth culture.
What makes Luh Tyler such a perfect fit for HERMENSVALID’s third season is more than his music — it’s his story. Like Hermen Acheampong, Luh Tyler didn’t wait for permission. He created his own lane. He spoke his truth. He let the people decide. And they did.
This performance marks not just a special moment for WPI and Worcester, but for the many students and creatives in the audience who get to witness a rising legend in his element. Whether it’s fashion or music, the takeaway is clear: this generation doesn’t just consume culture. They create it.
A PLATFORM FOR NEW DESIGNERS
Beyond the headliners and the hype, the real backbone of the HERMENSVALID x WPI collaboration is its role as a launchpad for new talent. Each season, up-and-coming designers are given a chance to showcase their work.
This season, the spotlight turns toward a curated group of designers handpicked for their originality, craftsmanship, and perspective. Some are WPI students. Others are may be people you have not heard about . Some are self-taught, while others are fashion school students trying to get their first break. But what unites them all is a deep desire to tell their stories through clothing.
For them, this show is more than a gig. It’s a runway into the industry. HERMENSVALID provides the mentorship, guidance, and infrastructure to help these student models turn a vision into something real. Whether it’s a gender-fluid silhouette, a reconstructed bomber jacket, or textile work that tells an ancestral tale, these young designers are ready to be seen — and HERMENSVALID is making sure they are.
A STUDENT-DRIVEN MOVEMENT
What makes the WPI edition of HERMENSVALID shows especially meaningful is that it is student-powered from start to finish. From organizing and recruiting models to set design, photography, and backstage coordination, the WPI Student Models bring the event to life.
Many of these students don’t come from traditional fashion backgrounds. They’re engineering majors, pre-med students, coders, athletes — all stepping into a world of creative expression that they often aren’t encouraged to explore. And yet, each year they rise to the occasion, redefining what it means to be a student model.
It’s in the fittings, the rehearsals, the impromptu dance battles backstage, the shared DMs, and the long nights that this show is built. These students don’t just wear clothes — they give the garments a heartbeat. And in doing so, they validate the message behind the HERMENSVALID name.
FASHION AS A TOOL FOR UNITY
At the core of everything HERMENSVALID does is a belief in fashion as a connector. It’s not just about aesthetics — it’s about bringing people together. Whether it’s Worcester locals, WPI faculty, fellow creatives from across Massachusetts, or first-time audience members, the runway becomes a space of inclusion and curiosity.
This year’s third season emphasizes that more than ever. With cultural divisions at an all-time high, spaces like these — where self-expression is welcomed, joy is collective, and every voice matters — are more important than ever.
Expect to see diversity not just in race or gender, but in story, body type, style, and energy. This is a space where Black joy, immigrant narratives and artistic individuality converge. It’s streetwear, luxury, Afrofuturism, punk, prep, and surrealism — all speaking in the same room, in harmony.
LOOKING AHEAD: THE LEGACY IN THE MAKING
The third season of HERMENSVALID x WPI isn’t just a continuation — it’s the planting of deeper roots. For Hermen Acheampong, this show is another chapter in his mission to build something lasting. HERMENSVALID has never been just a brand. It’s a belief system. A movement. A visual diary of resilience and reinvention.
From his internships at Louis Vuitton to his student journey at MassArt, to his community mural projects and art, Hermen's commitment to young people and cultural storytelling remains clear.
By creating these fashion experiences on college campuses, he’s doing more than putting on shows — he’s giving students permission to dream big, and the resources to back it up.
As always, HERMENSVALID will document this journey on social media and through film, allowing a broader audience to experience the power of what’s being built. In a time where so much feels uncertain, one thing is clear: this generation is ready to create its own future — and HERMENSVALID is helping lead the way.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The return of HERMENSVALID to WPI for its third season is a testament to what happens when vision meets opportunity, and when creativity is given room to grow. With a chart-topping performer like Luh Tyler, an impressive lineup of student models, and a crew of rising designers, this season is shaping up to be the biggest and most powerful one yet.
Worcester is about to witness a fashion show that’s not just about clothes — but about connection, courage, culture, and community.
Season 3 of HERMENSVALID x WPI isn't just a runway show. It's a movement — and you're invited.
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