Jeffrey Ampratwum

Jeffrey Ampratwum (born September 8th, 1983) also known as Che, is a Ghanaian-American Artistic Creative Director, Instructor, Musician, Wardrobe Stylist and Fashion Artist in New York City.
== Early Life ==
Jeffrey Ampratwum was born in the South Bronx, New York City to West African parents from Ghana. Before the age of 2, he was sent to live in Ghana for several months. His mother raised him as an only child following the early passing of his father. Jeffrey spent most of his childhood interested in design, film and travel. 
== Education ==
He attended Walton High School in the Bronx, NY where he played Varsity Basketball and served on the year book committee. He majored in Biology and minored in Pre-Dental studies at York College, City University of New York|CUNY York College, primarily to become a Dentist. During his undergrad, he created and organized a multitude of inter-campus events as student club president and student government senator that were based around the concepts of fashion, music and dance. He holds diplomas from the New York School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology, with focuses in fashion design and fashion styling, respectively. 
== Career ==
File:Jeff & Jim Moore.jpg|thumb|349x349px|Manhattan with Jim Moore of GQ MagazineFile:Jospehche.jpg|thumb|NYFW with Forbes Fashion Editor Joseph DeAcetis
File:Paris House of Merlot.jpg|thumb|House of Merlot Fashion-Art Exhibit in Paris, France. 2016
=== Fashion ===
Ampratwum has worked with some of the top fashion professionals in the industry such as Antoine Verglas, Jim Moore and Joseph DeAcetis, and brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana|Dolce & Gabbana. In 2015, he created and formed his fashion-art line House of Merlot and toured the world producing moving art shows in fashion capitals such as Paris, London and New York City|New York. On tour, he directed and produced fashion films for the brand in Germany, Sweden, Ghana, Spain, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. 
In 2018, he formed his creative and personal styling business House of Merlot Styling Services (Che Dior) where he worked with several brands and agencies building their digital e-commerce appeal and directing fashion and beauty editorials and began instructing fashion styling courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology. 
===Style & Esthetic==
He created and developed his own handmade bespoke menswear shoe KenJeffreys, Inc in 2019 with his best friend from college Kenny Occena. 
File:Pinewood Derby.jpg|thumb|Boy Scouts of America Event in Bronx, NY
His expertise is in creative direction and fashion styling in the areas of luxury, lifestyle, social media, on-figure fashion photography, still-life and e-commerce. Menswear and Womenswear. Victorian and Parisian inspired, luxury, androgynous and urban-street. 
=== Art ===
In 2015, he created the Fashion House of Merlot - an art themed clothing line which tells the stories peculiar concepts and individuals encountered during his travels. The paintings are made with gold acrylic and red wine and then transferred onto unique pieces of clothing. The pieces have been exhibited in art galleries around the world.
=== Music ===
He released his musical project House of Merlot in 2016 as part of an auditory soundtrack to compliment his fashion-art line. The project features appearances by Severe Jones and Laurent.
=== Community ===
Jeffrey worked the Boy Scouts of America for nearly 10 years providing services and raising money for youth in the South Bronx.
===Teaching===
Ampratwum is a faculty member at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he teaches Menswear Fashion Styling. He was named Fashion Director for Benco Dental’s Incisal Edge 40 Under 40.
===Authorship===
In 2023, he published his first book, Menswear Style Guide: New York City, which explores contemporary menswear trends and styling.
===Philanthropy===
Ampratwum is actively involved in philanthropy and mentoring. He has collaborated with Yellowbrick, an online learning platform, to create a comprehensive fashion styling course aimed at educating aspiring stylists. He also developed two fashion incubator programs for middle school students in the South Bronx, integrating various aspects of fashion studies to promote self-development and foster artistic talents.
Additionally, Ampratwum has produced a fashion show for children with severe brain injuries and brain-based disorders. This initiative sought to highlight the importance of adaptive clothing and advocate for greater inclusion within the fashion industry.
 
Category:American musicians
Category:Art directors
Category:1983 births