Fashionista

Friday October 5th, 2012

How I’m Making It: Darlene and Lizzy Okpo of William Okpo
How I'm Making It

How I’m Making It: Darlene and Lizzy Okpo of William Okpo

It hard not to get sidetracked when chatting with Darlene and Lizzy Okpo about their label, William Okpo. The two sisters, who are 25 and 22 respectively, are not only talented designers and entrepreneurs, but they are hip, young New Yorkers with plenty to talk about. They’re always saying things like, ‘That reminds me of this one time’, or ‘True story…’, but regardless of the topic things usually come back to their life’s passion: their label.

William Okpo takes its name from the girls’ Nigerian father, who immigrated to New York in 1976 with $80 in his pocket (their mom joined him soon after).

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Published at 3:40 PM

Thursday September 13th, 2012

William Okpo Spring 2013
Reviews

William Okpo Spring 2013

The Clothes: Graceful minimalism and functionality ruled the day. Braided cord belts, rolled-up pants and buttoned up overalls were reminiscent of industrial or farm workers with a feminine twist. Hard-wearing cotton and denim cut into wide-leg shorts, stove-pipe pants and asymmetrical skirts brought old-time classic into a post-modernist future. A delightfully on-trend romper with side Read more →

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Published at 9:53 AM

Tuesday March 20th, 2012

Africa Rising: The Top 10 Designers To Watch From Arise Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria
Fashion Week

Africa Rising: The Top 10 Designers To Watch From Arise Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria

For a split second I almost thought I was at New York Fashion Week. Backstage, top models like Georgie Badiel, Alek Wek and Oluchi Onweagba were getting beautified, while at front of house an army of street style photographers stalked the front row for candids of celebs and it-girls. Outside, copies of an all-African daily (suspiciously similar to The Daily Front Row) were being handed out to thousands of paying guests while the oversized tents, similar to those at Lincoln Center, were prepped for the influx.

Yet as time went on, it became increasingly clear that this was definitely not New York. This was Arise Magazine Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria–and for all the similarities–it’s a whole different ball game.

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Published at 6:45 PM

Tuesday January 31st, 2012

Fashion News Roundup: Rachel Roy Is Launching a Footwear Line, Alexa Chung Designed a Teddy Bear, and Tavi Gevinson Stars in an Animated Short and Sings Neil Young
Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: Rachel Roy Is Launching a Footwear Line, Alexa Chung Designed a Teddy Bear, and Tavi Gevinson Stars in an Animated Short and Sings Neil Young

Rachel Roy to Release Footwear Line: As a few non-designers zealously stamp their names on shoe lines, actual designer Rachel Roy is expanding her brand, adding a footwear collection to the two clothing and accessory lines bearing her namesake. Due out in August, Rachel Roy collection consists of flats, boots, and naturally, pumps inspired by long-time mentor and collaborator, Manolo Blahnik. {WWD, subscription required}

i-D Rings in The Year of the Dragon: … with a set of 12 absolutely stunning covers featuring Asian models rocking some breathtaking hair and makeup. Photographed by Chen Man with the help of M.A.C’s Director of Makeup Artistry, Terry Barber, these seriously gorgeous covers are worth framing and mounting in your salon. {Models}

Alexa Chung Designs a Teddy Bear: For the BBC’s Children in Need charity, Alexa Chung joins the ranks of designers like Giles and Louis Vuitton, designing a version of their iconic Pudsey Bear. Alexa keeps Pudsey’s look relatively simple, in ink blue velvet and a red and white heart-embroidered bandana. {Vogue UK}

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Published at 1:45 PM

Monday August 8th, 2011

Gen Art Announces New Designers, Will Show at New York Fashion Week

Gen Art Announces New Designers, Will Show at New York Fashion Week

Gen Art, that incubator of new design responsible for launching the careers of Zac Posen and Philip Lim, has been sorely missed the past two years while it’s been on hiatus to deal with financial troubles. Now under new ownership, the organization has trained its eagle eye on a new cadre of up-and-coming designers.

Gen Art is going to spotlight six ready-to-wear designers, one men’s wear designer, and four accessory designers. Ace & Jig, Ann Yee, Eighteenth, Jennifer Chun, Shunghee Bang, William Okpo, and Baron Wells will make their runway debut at New York Fashion week, WWD is reporting.

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Published at 3:00 PM