South Florida Fashion Academy was founded in 2018 by Taj McGill, who originally rose to prominence as a celebrity fashion stylist. As a Fort Lauderdale native, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in fashion design from the Art Institute and has used her dynamic, multifaceted expertise to build the region’s leading fashion, beauty, and business dual-enrollment, private school for creative students in grades 6th through 12th. As a state of the art high school dual-enrollment program, Taj has been able to build a team, culture and study body that offers the industry’s best tools, strategies and courses that enable students to unlock their potential and harness their crafts in the fashion, beauty, arts and business sectors.

SF/FA was originally conceived when Taj tapped into her natural entrepreneurial instincts and merged her love for impressionable, creative kids and fashion to create an innovative academy for middle and high school students. As a mother of two and lover of the Arts, the concept of creating an innovative educational institution that nurtures creative kids and their love for fashion, beauty, and business was something she knew could empower the next generation of creatives in the various fields of fashion and beauty. Instead of asking for a seat at the table, Taj did what she has often been known to do– she created her own table and started her own school. Since then, she has scaled the academy from the ground up with a passionate and dedicated team and staff into a successful school offering a variety of specialized programs. In fact, Taj has always valued and believed in entrepreneurship so much that she developed and launched the SF/FA Business and Entrepreneurship program in 2023. Taj’s primary goal with the academy is to provide students at an early age with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to develop their fashion or beauty passions into businesses from concept to creation and become knowledgeable, profitable business owners.

Taj’s expansive career isn’t limited to just one industry– she also has a background as a media personality and digital radio host having previously founded and hosted Talk is Chic Radio. Through her own media platform, she often spotlighted emerging artists and interviewed iconic figures dominating the fashion and beauty industries. In addition, Taj previously hosted Style in the City, a networking gala and fashion showcase annually held at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Impressively, she has always found a way to consistently tap into her creativity and build businesses that deliver unique value and offer a positive staple in the industry and local community.

Overall, Taj is a firm believer in continuously and proactively cultivating an inclusive culture and educational atmosphere in which students of all backgrounds and walks of life feel confident and safe enough to embrace their creativity. Taj is also an advocate for enforcing programs that uplift mental health wellness, emotional intelligence development, and fitness with the belief that these core fundamentals enable students to receive the best education possible.

Taj is continuously recognized for her dedication, hard work and impact on the South Florida community, especially when it comes to education and fashion. She has received a variety of humble recognitions including being named 40 under 40 Leaders of Today & Tomorrow by M.I.A. Media’s Legacy Magazine.She was the Innovator of the Year recipient of the Annual Thelma Gibson Awards and currently serves on the Presidential Advisory Board for Women’s Chamber of Commerce (WCC) of Miami-Dade County. In addition, she was given her own official “Taj McGill Day” on April 18th, 2023 by Broward County Commissioners for her positive and uplifting impact within the community. Taj was also a recipient of the Robert Roscioli Heritage Award.

Taj is a major advocate for giving back to the local community and supporting others through proactive initiatives, which is why she launched the McGill Scholarship Fund in 2021. Through this scholarship fund, Taj awards hard-working, qualifying Black, Brown and Latino SF/FA incoming students in the South Florida region with scholarships to cover additional tuition expenses. The annual McGill Scholarship Fund was created by Taj in honor of her parents, John and Marie McGill, who helped positively shape her perspective on life at a young age. Under Taj’s leadership, SF/FA is now entering the new 2024-2025 school year and will award various McGill Scholarships for the fourth consecutive year.

In the beginning of SF/FA (2018), local South Florida kids interested in fashion and beauty attended weekend programs developed for creative teens. Fast forward four years later and Taj is proud to continue scaling the academy into a fast-paced, ever-growing full-time, private, dual-enrollment middle and high school. SF/FA is known as a premiere secondary school, providing students with an exceptional core curriculum and specialization in fashion or beauty as required by the state of Florida.

Current students enrolled at SF/FA receive an exceptional education in core subjects such as math, science, history, etc. while studying fashion design| merchandising or a specific beauty specialty while obtaining college credits towards a fashion and/or business degree. Additional options include obtaining a diploma and state of Florida license in barbering, cosmetology, nail technology, or skin care. SF/FA teachers hold Bachelor degrees and/or Master’s degrees and offer their students extensive experience and insight.

SF/FA proudly partners with local and national fashion and beauty brands to provide students with internships. For example, SF/FA regularly works with local South Florida-based fashion designer, Keya Martin of Keeyahri, which is a staple luxury shoe and accessory brand based in Miami, made in Italy and sold in globally recognized stores like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Taj continues to combine her esteemed experience in fashion with a keen business acumen and electric persona to break down barriers and set an example in the education space. She remains committed to uplifting young, talented students with the very best education and unique opportunities through programmatic courses and practical, real-world internships. Overall, SF/FA is an innovative fashion and beauty academy that is dedicated to birthing the next generation of creative professionals in the South Florida region.

To learn more about Taj McGill and SF/FA, please follow her on Instagram or LinkedIn. Follow South Florida Fashion Academy on Instagram for regular updates from teachers, students and more.