Gen Art New Garde AW12 Designer… William Okpo Gen Art alumni designers, Darlene and Lizzy Okpo created the women’s wear collection, William Okpo in 2010. A nurtured love for fashion and creativity brought about the birth of the collection named for their father, William Okpo. The concept behind 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 the 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.

Gen Art New Garde AW12 Designer…

William Okpo

Gen Art alumni designers, Darlene and Lizzy Okpo created the women’s wear collection, William Okpo in 2010. A nurtured love for fashion and creativity brought about the birth of the collection named for their father, William Okpo. The concept behind 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 the 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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Gen Art New Garde AW12 Designer… Samantha Pleet The story began in 2006 when Brooklyn Designer Samantha Pleet debuted her namesake collection, intertwining elements of the mysterious and fantastical with a sense of modernity. Each season new and ancient ideas from music, art, history, and literature are conjured along with various feelings and are transformed into Pleet’s silhouettes, then shown in collaborative projects from films, photographs to unique installations. The clothes, made in New York City using organic materials whenever possible, have become favorites among creative girls around the world including musicians like Beach House, The Dirty Projectors, and Au Revoir Simone.

Gen Art New Garde AW12 Designer…

Samantha Pleet

The story began in 2006 when Brooklyn Designer Samantha Pleet debuted her namesake collection, intertwining elements of the mysterious and fantastical with a sense of modernity. Each season new and ancient ideas from music, art, history, and literature are conjured along with various feelings and are transformed into Pleet’s silhouettes, then shown in collaborative projects from films, photographs to unique installations. The clothes, made in New York City using organic materials whenever possible, have become favorites among creative girls around the world including musicians like Beach House, The Dirty Projectors, and Au Revoir Simone.

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Gen Art New Garde AW12 Designer… Gemma Kahng In 1990, Gemma Kahng started her own namesake fashion house. For her first season, she showed a tightly edited collection representing her personal style. As a total surprise, that first collection was a big hit, opening over 30 top retail accounts across the country. It was also featured in a full page editorial in Vogue Magazine. From then on, Gemma was well on her way to be recognized as a respected designer in the fashion industry and soon became a member of the CFDA. Twenty years later, Gemma has re-launched her collection to great acclaim from editors, buyers, press and celebrities like Julie Roberts and Christy Turlington.

Gen Art New Garde AW12 Designer…

Gemma Kahng

In 1990, Gemma Kahng started her own namesake fashion house. For her first season, she showed a tightly edited collection representing her personal style. As a total surprise, that first collection was a big hit, opening over 30 top retail accounts across the country. It was also featured in a full page editorial in Vogue Magazine. From then on, Gemma was well on her way to be recognized as a respected designer in the fashion industry and soon became a member of the CFDA. Twenty years later, Gemma has re-launched her collection to great acclaim from editors, buyers, press and celebrities like Julie Roberts and Christy Turlington.

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Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge…  WHITNEY PORT Whitney Port is not just another pretty face in Hollywood. She is paving her own way as a designer, TV host and author, and making sure that she builds a solid foundation that she is proud of.  Whitney began her career on the MTV reality-hit show, “The Hills,” appearing as intern at Teen Vogue Magazine, as well as Lauren Conrad’s co-worker and confidant. By Season 4 she was a show regular and an audience favorite. In December 2008 Whitney’s own spin-off, “The City” launched on MTV. She moved across the country and the cameras followed as she began working for fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg and in later seasons for People’s Revolution’s Kelly Cutrone. During that time she also launched her own fashion line, Whitney Eve. Whitney Eve, which had its first runway show with Gen Art during Fashion Week 2009 showcases Whitney’s creativity and knack for style. Its sophisticated yet comfortable cocktail attire, featuring feminine dresses, tops, skirts, sweaters and jackets. Whitney Eve can be found online and in various high-end boutiques. It has also expanded overseas where Whitney has a large fan base. Whitney will be debuting her first runway show for Whitney Eve during New York Fashion week on Feb 15, 2012. In 2010 Whitney released her first book, “True Whit” for Harper Collins. The book is now being sold overseas and in the US. Whitney currently resides in Los Angeles and is attending Gen Art’s New Garde show as a spokesperson for Crest 3D White. 

Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge… 

WHITNEY PORT

Whitney Port is not just another pretty face in Hollywood. She is paving her own way as a designer, TV host and author, and making sure that she builds a solid foundation that she is proud of.

 Whitney began her career on the MTV reality-hit show, “The Hills,” appearing as intern at Teen Vogue Magazine, as well as Lauren Conrad’s co-worker and confidant. By Season 4 she was a show regular and an audience favorite. In December 2008 Whitney’s own spin-off, “The City” launched on MTV. She moved across the country and the cameras followed as she began working for fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg and in later seasons for People’s Revolution’s Kelly Cutrone. During that time she also launched her own fashion line, Whitney Eve.

Whitney Eve, which had its first runway show with Gen Art during Fashion Week 2009 showcases Whitney’s creativity and knack for style. Its sophisticated yet comfortable cocktail attire, featuring feminine dresses, tops, skirts, sweaters and jackets. Whitney Eve can be found online and in various high-end boutiques. It has also expanded overseas where Whitney has a large fan base. Whitney will be debuting her first runway show for Whitney Eve during New York Fashion week on Feb 15, 2012.

In 2010 Whitney released her first book, “True Whit” for Harper Collins. The book is now being sold overseas and in the US.

Whitney currently resides in Los Angeles and is attending Gen Art’s New Garde show as a spokesperson for Crest 3D White. 

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Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judges… Danielle & Jodie Snyder Danielle & Jodie are self-taught jewelry designers who learned how to wirework by playing with their father’s medical tools as kids.  In 2003 they opened an accessories boutique, DanniJo Jewels, in their hometown, Jacksonville, FL that primarily stocked their collection as well as a range of other fashion jewelry labels and accessories.  Danielle studied Psychology and Spanish at Vanderbilt University, and Jodie studied Business and Public Relations at University of Florida.  Upon graduation Jodie worked as a designer in mens fashion at Harry Bachrach and later ran Private Label sales at Sam Edelman. Danielle worked in Sales at Penny Preville and co-founded a youth-based African non-profit called L.W.A.L.A: Live With A Life-long Ambition that encourages young professionals to use their passion and talent to impact positive change.  In November of 2007, Danielle and Jodie teamed up to design a capsule jewelry collection to benefit L.W.A.L.A at its New York fundraising gala.  Natalie Portman made mention of the collection in New York Mag’s Gift Guide edition as the “gift to give” that year.  Danielle and Jodie went on to pursue design careers, officially launching the DANNIJO label in March 2008 with Bergdorf Goodman as their first account.  Shortly thereafter, Henri Bendel, Intermix, Shopbop and Net-a-poter picked up the label.  The Robin Hood foundation tapped DANNIJO designers to design the canvas bags for their November 2009 New York Fundraiser as well as the wall art for the event.  Most recently, Danielle and Jodie were tapped to design an exclusive collection for W Hotels worldwide. Over the course of their two years in business, DANNIJO has collaborated with a range of designers for New York fashion week, including Luca Luca, Trovata, Bensoni, Nima, and Walter.  They have also been featured on the TODAY show and Fox Business, as well as recognized by Inc Magazine as “America’s Coolest Young Entrepreneurs.”

Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judges…

Danielle & Jodie Snyder

Danielle & Jodie are self-taught jewelry designers who learned how to wirework by playing with their father’s medical tools as kids.  In 2003 they opened an accessories boutique, DanniJo Jewels, in their hometown, Jacksonville, FL that primarily stocked their collection as well as a range of other fashion jewelry labels and accessories. 

Danielle studied Psychology and Spanish at Vanderbilt University, and Jodie studied Business and Public Relations at University of Florida.  Upon graduation Jodie worked as a designer in mens fashion at Harry Bachrach and later ran Private Label sales at Sam Edelman. Danielle worked in Sales at Penny Preville and co-founded a youth-based African non-profit called L.W.A.L.A: Live With A Life-long Ambition that encourages young professionals to use their passion and talent to impact positive change.

 In November of 2007, Danielle and Jodie teamed up to design a capsule jewelry collection to benefit L.W.A.L.A at its New York fundraising gala.  Natalie Portman made mention of the collection in New York Mag’s Gift Guide edition as the “gift to give” that year.  Danielle and Jodie went on to pursue design careers, officially launching the DANNIJO label in March 2008 with Bergdorf Goodman as their first account.  Shortly thereafter, Henri Bendel, Intermix, Shopbop and Net-a-poter picked up the label.

 The Robin Hood foundation tapped DANNIJO designers to design the canvas bags for their November 2009 New York Fundraiser as well as the wall art for the event.  Most recently, Danielle and Jodie were tapped to design an exclusive collection for W Hotels worldwide.

Over the course of their two years in business, DANNIJO has collaborated with a range of designers for New York fashion week, including Luca Luca, Trovata, Bensoni, Nima, and Walter.  They have also been featured on the TODAY show and Fox Business, as well as recognized by Inc Magazine as “America’s Coolest Young Entrepreneurs.”

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Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge… Claire Mazur Claire Mazur is co-founder of Of a Kind, a website that brings together retail and editorial content to promote and support fashion designers on the rise, selling limited-edition pieces and telling the backstories of the emerging designers who made them. She launched the company in 2010 with longtime friend and former magazine editor, Erica Cerulo. Claire interned for Gen Art in 2007 and is super excited to be working with us again.

Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge…

Claire Mazur

Claire Mazur is co-founder of Of a Kind, a website that brings together retail and editorial content to promote and support fashion designers on the rise, selling limited-edition pieces and telling the backstories of the emerging designers who made them. She launched the company in 2010 with longtime friend and former magazine editor, Erica Cerulo. Claire interned for Gen Art in 2007 and is super excited to be working with us again.

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Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge… Rajni Lucienne Jacques Pretty In Pink and New Order enthusiast Rajni Lucienne Jacques loves anything ’80s. But what she really goes head-over-heels for is a great pair of shoes (pun intended), the perfect blue jeans, and heather gray T-shirts. She’s also a sucker for magazines, especially foreign editions like French Vogue, which happens to be one of the reasons she became interested in working in fashion. “My grandmother use to buy me French Vogue all the time and we would go through it together,” she says. At the time I was 9 or 10 but I loved looking at all the pretty pictures. I would flip through it and my imagination would go into la la land.”  Her first foray into the fashion world was as an intern at the now defunct Honey magazine and from there she moved over to InStyle as a freelance assistant market editor. Soon after she flipped over to the public relations side as PR Director at Christian Louboutin while going to grad school at Columbia. “Working there obviously further fueled my love of shoes. “That red sole does something to you. But I’m an equal opportunity shoe lover,” she says. Shortly after she became an accessories/news editor at Vibe before going to Nylon as fashion features editor where she was for four years. Her latest job brings her to Glamour magazine as Fashion News Editor. “I’m not consumed with fashion, but I love the idea of it. I mean let’s be real it’s fun… real fun.”

Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge…

Rajni Lucienne Jacques

Pretty In Pink and New Order enthusiast Rajni Lucienne Jacques loves anything ’80s. But what she really goes head-over-heels for is a great pair of shoes (pun intended), the perfect blue jeans, and heather gray T-shirts. She’s also a sucker for magazines, especially foreign editions like French Vogue, which happens to be one of the reasons she became interested in working in fashion. “My grandmother use to buy me French Vogue all the time and we would go through it together,” she says. At the time I was 9 or 10 but I loved looking at all the pretty pictures. I would flip through it and my imagination would go into la la land.”  Her first foray into the fashion world was as an intern at the now defunct Honey magazine and from there she moved over to InStyle as a freelance assistant market editor. Soon after she flipped over to the public relations side as PR Director at Christian Louboutin while going to grad school at Columbia. “Working there obviously further fueled my love of shoes. “That red sole does something to you. But I’m an equal opportunity shoe lover,” she says. Shortly after she became an accessories/news editor at Vibe before going to Nylon as fashion features editor where she was for four years. Her latest job brings her to Glamour magazine as Fashion News Editor. “I’m not consumed with fashion, but I love the idea of it. I mean let’s be real it’s fun… real fun.”

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Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge…  Aurora James Born just outside of Toronto and marinated in Los Angeles, Aurora James feels most at home in her Brooklyn studio. Well known for her flair in marketing and brand development, she has spent much of the last few years pursuing her own artistic endeavors through writing, painting and as the Art Director at Herbert Schier. In addition to her personal creative goings-on, Aurora has worked as a freelance consultant for companies such as Gen Art, CAA, Elite Models, Fashion Television, Thomas Wylde, Next Model Management & Entertainment Tonight. She has assisted in the production of runway shows for designers such as Cynthia Rowley, Leyendecker, Erik Hart, Funktional, Valerj Pobega, Rad Hourani and Raquel Allegra - to name a few. Aurora is currently working with a slew of young artists & designers on their brand development & strategic planning. She resides between New York and Los Angeles with her boyfriend, photographer Jason Eric Hardwick and their dog, Cupid.

Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge… 

Aurora James

Born just outside of Toronto and marinated in Los Angeles, Aurora James feels most at home in her Brooklyn studio. Well known for her flair in marketing and brand development, she has spent much of the last few years pursuing her own artistic endeavors through writing, painting and as the Art Director at Herbert Schier.

In addition to her personal creative goings-on, Aurora has worked as a freelance consultant for companies such as Gen Art, CAA, Elite Models, Fashion Television, Thomas Wylde, Next Model Management & Entertainment Tonight. She has assisted in the production of runway shows for designers such as Cynthia Rowley, Leyendecker, Erik Hart, Funktional, Valerj Pobega, Rad Hourani and Raquel Allegra - to name a few.

Aurora is currently working with a slew of young artists & designers on their brand development & strategic planning. She resides between New York and Los Angeles with her boyfriend, photographer Jason Eric Hardwick and their dog, Cupid.

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Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge… Kristian Laliberte Kristian Laliberte, a graduate of Columbia University and Archives Nationales in Paris, is the Senior Editor at Refinery29. From Fashion Week reviews to the latest art exhibition, hottest new restaurant, or must-visit boutique,Kristian tells R29’s tapped-in readers where to go, what to do, and how to stay stylish. He lives in the East Village. 

Meet Our ‘Little White Wardrobe’ Design Competition Judge…

Kristian Laliberte

Kristian Laliberte, a graduate of Columbia University and Archives Nationales in Paris, is the Senior Editor at Refinery29. From Fashion Week reviews to the latest art exhibition, hottest new restaurant, or must-visit boutique,Kristian tells R29’s tapped-in readers where to go, what to do, and how to stay stylish. He lives in the East Village. 

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