Seeing Stars
While touring Mood fabrics on March 18, Oak Park’s fashion students ran into Project Runway’s season 12 contestant Helen Castillo. Castillo had also just recently been a contestant on Project Runway All Star’s season 4. The Clothing and Fashion II and Fashion Merchandising classes went to New York over spring break for various fashion programs and some sight-seeing. “I really liked meeting her, she was sassy and funny. I loved hearing her stories and meeting a celebrity,” said senior Taylor Bode (pictured middle row, right).
Walk of Fame. The fashion students stand around Ralph Lauren’s Fashion Walk of Fame plaque for a picture on March 18. The Fashion Walk of Fame is located in Manhattan’s Garment District and showcases designers who have heavily influenced fashion. “I loved how it didn’t just say the designer’s name, it gave a description of the designer too. I also loved the huge needle and button sculpture [in the Garment District]. It made me feel proud to have a passion for fashion,” said senior Miranda Haidusek.
Good morning, America. Oak Park’s fashion students also got to be audience members on Good Morning America and were able to actually be apart of the show on Friday, March 20. Good Morning America’s guests that day included actor Ben Stiller and singer Andy Grammer. “It was awesome, it was kinda surreal, it didn’t really hit you that you were there until you left,” said sophomore Kenzie Johnson (pictured right).
A place to remember. Later in the day, on March 20, the girls also visited the new National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The two memorials stand in the same spots the Twin Towers once stood, and the museum contains various artifacts from the events of 9/11. ”
Buildings for days. During their four day extravaganza in New York, the fashion students did a lot of walking and took in the setting before them. Some of the buildings they were able to visit included the Hearst Tower, Lord and Taylor’s Headquarters, and the Plaza Hotel. “It was a ton of fun, and it was really inspiring and it’s something I’ll probably always remember,” said sophomore Kenzie Johnson.
