seriouslyby

SPRING/SUMMER 2014

fashionInspiring Words

with Lizzy Okpo

of William Okpo

Model Ambitionwith Brittany Mason

FeaturingAva, Olivia, Sloane & Zoe

Disney Princessstreet style

ISSUE 1

Our first

issue

SPRING/SUMMER 2014Contents

Ava

2 - Our Tea m

3 - About

The Fashion C lass

6 - Inspiring Words

an interview with lizzy okpo of william okpo

12 - Our Favorite

spring /summer 2014 trends

18 - Model Ambition

an interview with brittany mason

23 - Disney Princess

Street Style

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it was good to learn with other people. the class was so fun, because of all of

the fashion i saw on everyone. my classmates inspire me.

peace and love xoxo

- Olivia, age 9

Fashion Journalist

i love being on the cover of our magazine! i learned so much

about how to make a magazine.- Sloane, age 5.5

Fashion Assistant

i love seeing the models, fashion & poses in magazines. i really liked

being the stylist for our photoshoot.- Ava, age 7

Fashion Editor

i love how i have learned so much from my teacher Kyle, and my classmates.

i am so glad that i got to be in this awsome class. i am so glad that i got to

be in a magazine for the first time!!!!!!! keep calm and love

- Zoe, age 9

Art Director

Zoe

OURteam

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the fashion class began in 2010, as

a summer camp in Brooklyn, NY. Today, The

Fashion Class is in five locations throughout

New York City, in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

®

Courses run during the Fall, Winter

and Spring seasons for children

starting at age 6 through age 17.

design, sewing, illustration & creativity.

We offer 8 - 12 week courses in fashion

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Olivia

We offer summer fashion design camps, winter break

camps, holiday camps, and spring break camps in

Manhattan, New York.

Our camps run full days, 9AM-5PM with early drop off

& late pick-up available. Our students learn

everything from sewing, fashion illustration,

accessory design, and even walking the runway.

Field trips to talk with real fashion designers,

showrooms, and museum visits are always on the schedule.

visit us online at thefashionclass.com

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“It’s a new era in fashion - there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style,

wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together.”

- Alexander Mc Queen

“I do

n’t

do f

ashi

on. I

am

fas

hion

”- C

o c o

C ha

nel

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wordsinspiringan interview with Lizzy Okpo

of

6

is a women's wear collection

Darlene and I are 4 years apart. I'm 24. She is 28.

LizzyDarlene

What's the age difference between you two... how old are you both?

I have been designing clothes for about 7 years, but we started

our brand 4 years ago.

How long have you been designing clothes?

Fall / Winter 2013

designed by sisters Darlene and Lizzy Okpo.A nurtured love for fashion and creativity brought about the birth of their collection,

which is named after their father.

The William Okpo line is inspired by the parents of the Okpo sisters. Daughters

of Nigerian immigrants, Darlene and Lizzy were motivated by the interplay of their

parent's personal style with American culture.

With William Okpo, the Okpo sisters wish to illustrate the unique aesthetic that results

from the juxtaposition of the immigrant's sense of style against American cultural sensibilities,

offering the modern feminine designs with touches of masculine elements. William Okpo is for women

who celebrate their cultivated sense of style.

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Fall / Winter 2014

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We've had 6 fashion shows. Three were runway shows ,

and three were two hour long presentations. My favorite show would have to be the very first. We were sponsored by a program called GenArt, who provides shows to up-and-coming designers.

It's my favorite was because it was our first break into fashion. We were finally able to get

a chance to see exactly what it's like and what it takes to put a show together.

It was a great experience, and my family came to support. It was so much fun !

How many fashion shows have you had,

and can you tell us which was your favorite, and why?

GenArt Fall / Winter 2012

Spring / Summer 20149

Fall / Winter 2013

I love hair, and I always believe it's a better intake on fashion to have a show where people can have fun wacky hairstyles that are pretty cool, but no one is actually bold enough to wear that type of style in their day to day life. I really enjoy animated hair. As a child, all of the cartoon characters had such cool, stiff and funky styles that I would always want to copy, but couldn't.

What inspires the hairstyles for your shows... especially Fall / Winter 2013?

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Our parents influenced us to find beauty in working with family. They remind us all the time that family is very important and we must always love one another. Working side by side with my sister is the best business choice ever. We grew up together & understand each other so well.

Our father was always fashionable, while we were growing up. He is very meticulous with his wardrobe and in the way he presents himself. In fact, growing up, he was responsible for picking out most of our clothes.

Watching my father prepare his clothes for work every week, and spend 1 hour ironing clothes everyday, made us appreciate his sense of style.

It only made sense to build a fashion brand in honor of him.

What made you name your company after your father?

How have your parents influenced you?

What inspires you, and

what's next for William Okpo?

I love learning about people's heritage and I love to travel. There are so many different types of people in the world

and I love learning from them. Next for William Okpo will be to expand our brand into shoes and accessories. We’d also like

to team up with more art programs and children who like fashion.

cultures inspire me.Different

Spring / Summer 2014

Spring / Summer 2013

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our favoriteSpring / Summer 2014

trends

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“Fashion is a language. Some know it, some learn it, some never will - like an instinct.”

- Edith Head

“Fashion is inspired by youth and nostalgia, and draw

s on inspiration from the best of the past.”

- Lana Del Ray

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ambitionm o d e lan interview with Brittany Mason

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At the age of 16 Brittany’s life changed within a matter of months. She signed with her first modeling agency and moved to NYC to pursue her dream career as a fashion model. Now she models for worldwide brands and publications like

Vogue, Sports Illustrated, Bebe, GQ, Esquire, Yves Saint Laurent, Ferragamo, Seventeen Magazine, Maxim Magazine, and many more. In 2010, Brittany was the face of the John Frieda Go Blonder Campaign.

Brittany studies at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Institute and has made many film and television appearances. Most notably on the 200th episode of Two and a Half Men, playing guest star Jason Alexander’s secretary, Project Runway All Stars 2, and has starred on Oxygen’s first season THE FACE. The supermodel cast included legendary icon Naomi

Campbell, Karolina Kurkova, Coco Rocha, and Nigel Barker. Brittany won THE FACE Fan Favorite voted by viewers.

Shortly after signing her first modeling contract as a teen, Brittany entered a local beauty competition that led her to capture the national title of Teen Model of the USA, for the World Beauty Organization. At the internationally

televised competition Teen Model of the World, Brittany competed against top models from around the globe. Out of 52 countries vying to be named the most beautiful woman in the world, she placed 2nd. In 2008 She was crowned Miss

Indiana USA, for Donald Trump’s Miss Universe Organization placing 7th at Miss USA live on NBC.

Brittany is an advocate for several charitable organizations. As a teen she created a bullying awareness and safer school initiative program and continues to produce educational fundraising events for the cause. Within a few years it is

estimated Brittany has worked with over 100,000 students across the state of Indiana. Her hometown, Anderson awarded her with the Service to Mankind award for her philanthropic efforts towards safer schools. Brittany has also organized fund-raising events to collect supplies for Mission of Hope Haiti where she has traveled to work at a children’s shelter and hospital. Add brains to beauty, this blonde has even dabbled in to politics. In 2008 she joined Chelsea Clinton,

Hillary Clinton, and President Barack Obama on tour for the Democratic Presidential Campaign. Brittany also supports the Model Alliance which serves as a voice for models. In 2012 she studied Fashion Law at Fordham Law School under Susan Scafidi to further her goal to improve the industry and establish fair and ethical working rights for all models.

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How old are you, and how long have you been a model?Haha, I am too old to enroll in the Fashion Class unfortunately ;-) I have been modeling for 10 years, but full time for about 5. It was always my dream so I feel blessed to be living my dream!

What was it like to learn from Coco Rocha, on The Face?It was an amazing experience to work with Coco.

She is a very talented model and she inspired me to be faster with my poses.

What are your favorite things to model?I love modeling long glamourous gowns and unique high fashion pieces! Anything that stands out. I like bringing personality to pictures. One photo is a thousand words.

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How many fashion shows have you been in?A lot... oh goodness I've lost count! I've done New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, LA Fashion Week, I've done fashion shows in China, Germany, and El Salvador. I love doing live shows, anything can happen and the energy from the crowd can be amazing!

You've taught here at The Fashion Class,

do you like working with children,

and how do you inspire them?

I love working with kids! I didn't really have a mentor when it came to the industry when I first started. I was totally clueless and had to learn everything on my own. I love giving back and helping others achieve their dreams. I try to share as much about the industry that I can to help direct people who aspire to be part of it. There really is no dream out of reach, no matter what obstacles you may face. If you are disciplined and stay focused you will achieve your goals !

What's next for you?I am really focused on doing more film and television work in LA and also working on my movement called the "I Am Possible" Campaign. I am hoping to get enough funding to produce concerts and speak at 12 schools next year. So stay tuned! And on the look out for me!

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Princess

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Street Style

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Princess

Whether or notyou believe in fairytales

every girl is a

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- Zach PorterAll Star Weekend