2025 - A Year of Recognition: Reflecting on Some Meaningful Milestones

The Foundation of APD When Amy launched APD in 2017, it wasn’t with the intention of chasing recognition - it was about creating contemporary fashion that didn’t exist in her own closet. Pieces that felt bold, intentional, and expressive. Pieces that felt like her. From the beginning, APD has been rooted in the belief that fashion should do more than follow trends. It should empower. It should spark conversation. It should help women express who they are on the outside. That same mindset continues to guide the brand today. Every collection begins with a simple but powerful question: How can this empower the person wearing it? Recognition from institutions like the University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island creative community reinforces that staying true to that mission matters. Last year marked a series of moments that felt both surreal and deeply meaningful for APD. From being recognized by the University of Rhode Island to exhibiting at Pawtucket City Hall and being voted Best of Rhode Island Fashion Designer once again, these milestones represent more than accolades - they reflect the values that have shaped APD from the very beginning. University of Rhode Island “10 Under 10” Award Amy was honored with the University of Rhode Island Alumni “10 Under 10” Award, which recognizes young alumni who demonstrate outstanding professional achievement and dedication to the URI community. Amy Page DeBlasio Founder + Creative Director, APD | URI ’15 w/ Marc B. Parlange the President of URI The award highlights leaders who embody the University’s core values, including: Creativity and scholarship Diversity, fairness, and respect Engaged learning and civic involvement Intellectual and ethical leadership As a proud graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design and Bachelor of Arts in Italian Language and Literature, this recognition holds particular significance. Building APD from the ground up has always been anchored in creativity, integrity, and community - principles that continue to guide every collection and every business decision behind the brand. For Amy, this award was not just about professional achievement. It was about representing the values instilled during her time at URI and carrying them forward into entrepreneurship. Building an independent fashion brand requires creativity, yes - but also resilience, ethical leadership, and a commitment to community. Amy remains actively engaged with URI, mentoring students and returning each semester as a guest speaker in the design department. In addition to receiving this recognition, Amy returned to URI to serve as the 2025 Master of Ceremonies and Judge for the annual Spring Splash Fashion Show, which showcases the work of approximately 20 student designers. Amy first debuted The Amy Dress during her senior-year Spring Splash show, where she was an award winner. She is pictured here wearing an updated version of her best-selling silhouette while serving as a judge and MC for the 2025 show. Returning to campus in this role was a full-circle moment. Sitting in those same classrooms years ago, Amy never imagined she would one day stand on stage encouraging the next generation of designers and entrepreneurs. Watching young creatives present their collections each year is a reminder of how powerful creative education can be - and how important it is to nurture it. The show continues to evolve, becoming more dynamic, ambitious, and forward-thinking with every new class of designers. Supporting emerging talent and staying connected to the next generation of creatives is something Amy values deeply. Fashion is an industry built on mentorship, inspiration, and evolution - and being able to return to URI in this capacity reinforces that connection. Pawtucket City Hall: “Let’s Get Down to Business” Exhibit APD was also featured in Let's Get Down to Business: The Art and Culture of Business, an exhibition at Pawtucket City Hall located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, hosted by the Pawtucket Commission on Arts and Culture. Amy Page DeBlasio Founder + Creative Director of APD w/ Don Grebien the Mayor of Pawtucket The exhibit celebrates local businesses that are creative in their products and integral to the economic and cultural foundation of the city. Being included alongside other entrepreneurs and artists reinforced something Amy has always believed: fashion is not just about clothing - it is a form of art, expression, and economic impact. Independent designers are not just artists; they are entrepreneurs, employers, collaborators, and contributors to the cities they work in. Small businesses like APD play a role in sustaining local culture and strengthening the creative economy. APD’s fashion design process is unique in many ways with APD’s roots in Rhode Island, combined with ethical production in NYC’s Garment District, representing a commitment to craftsmanship and independent design. Every piece is produced in small batches, allowing the brand to maintain quality and intention while avoiding the excess of mass production. Being recognized by the Pawtucket Commission on Arts and Culture was especially meaningful because it affirmed that creativity and commerce can coexist. Thoughtful design, ethical production, and community involvement are not separate from business - they are essential to it. Best of Rhode Island - 7 Years in a Row APD was also voted Best of Rhode Island Fashion Designer for the seventh consecutive year. The Best of Rhode Island poll, conducted online by Rhode Island Monthly, invites the community to vote for their favorite local businesses and creators. To be chosen year after year is not something Amy takes lightly. Each win reflects real people choosing to support local, independent design. In an industry often dominated by mass production and fast fashion, continued recognition from the community signals that intentional, small-batch design resonates. Customers value clothing created with thought, care, and individuality. Winning Best of Rhode Island for seven consecutive years is more than an award — it’s a vote of confidence. It’s a reminder that staying authentic, staying independent, and staying intentional matters. For Amy, this recognition belongs just as much to the women who wear APD as it does to the brand itself. More Than Awards Recognition is always an honor - but what matters most is the journey behind it. From sketching ideas at a desk to overseeing production in small batches, APD has grown through dedication, risk-taking, and a belief that fashion should help women express who they are unapologetically. These milestones are reflections of that mission - and of the community that continues to support it. While these recognitions mark important achievements, they are also reminders to keep evolving. APD continues to focus on ethical production in NYC’s Garment District, small-batch releases, and designing pieces that spark conversation and confidence. The goal has never been scale for the sake of scale. It has been impact, intention, and individuality. To everyone who has worn APD, shared it, voted for it, supported it, or believed in it - thank you. These moments belong to you as much as they belong to the brand. — Amy Page DeBlasio