William Okpo's Fall/Winter 2014 presentation was vibrant, whimsical, and strong––just like the afro beats by DJ Lindsey that welcomed guests into the doors of 51 Astor Place. Once inside, the bright yellow backdrop and sweet lemonade with straws brought you into another world, far from the gray and icy streets of New York in February.
Lizzy and Darlene Okpo, designers and sisters (as well as OC-alums), have been creating playful, sophisticated garments with subtle references to their Nigerian roots since 2011. True to form, their Fall/Winter 2014 line was welcoming and effortless, from its chunky charcoal knits to the flower buttons on the garments to the robust blue stripes that weaved through the collection.
Before the presentation, I got the chance to chat with Darlene about the inspiration for the collection, their work with the 14+ Foundation building schools for children in Africa, as well as their amazing new collaboration with Solange and PUMA.
Photos by Patrick Spears | E-mail ONLINE@OPENINGCEREMONY.US to be notified when the FW14 collection arrives at OC!
Mecca James-Williams: So what's the inspiration for this season? I see bold prints and floral details! Can you dish on that?
Darlene Okpo: This season we were inspired by color. You know when you live in New York City and everything is just black! We were like, "We love color!" We also wanted it to be fun at the same time, because we don't really take ourselves that seriously. Everything is based on how we feel! It's never like, "Oh, I'ma put this sweater with this thing." It’s never so specific.
I see a lot of amazing details in this collection. Like the little flowers as buttons!
Good eye! This collection was fun and very playful. I think designers sometimes get so concentrated on getting into stores and lose their style. Stores have a tendency to be like, "Ok, we want to see this,” and it discourages designers. That is what is great and different about Opening Ceremony. They've always been supporters. They let us have our personal freedom and personal style.
Tell us about the hair! Every collection, you guys do amazing hair.
We're really big on hair. I change my hair all the time to the point that no one recognizes me. People are always like, "Is that you Darlene?" and I'm like, "Yeah, that's me." Last season with the big high hair it was a problem dressing the models because the hair was so high!
You took a trip to Zambia recently with the 14+ Foundation, where you're working together to construct a school. Can you tell us about your trip? Did you get inspiration for the collection on that trip?
We did! That was a beautiful experience and so inspirational. The color and texture of how young people dress in Zambia was incredible.
Lizzy and Darlene Okpo, designers and sisters (as well as OC-alums), have been creating playful, sophisticated garments with subtle references to their Nigerian roots since 2011. True to form, their Fall/Winter 2014 line was welcoming and effortless, from its chunky charcoal knits to the flower buttons on the garments to the robust blue stripes that weaved through the collection.
Before the presentation, I got the chance to chat with Darlene about the inspiration for the collection, their work with the 14+ Foundation building schools for children in Africa, as well as their amazing new collaboration with Solange and PUMA.
Photos by Patrick Spears | E-mail ONLINE@OPENINGCEREMONY.US to be notified when the FW14 collection arrives at OC!
Mecca James-Williams: So what's the inspiration for this season? I see bold prints and floral details! Can you dish on that?
Darlene Okpo: This season we were inspired by color. You know when you live in New York City and everything is just black! We were like, "We love color!" We also wanted it to be fun at the same time, because we don't really take ourselves that seriously. Everything is based on how we feel! It's never like, "Oh, I'ma put this sweater with this thing." It’s never so specific.
I see a lot of amazing details in this collection. Like the little flowers as buttons!
Good eye! This collection was fun and very playful. I think designers sometimes get so concentrated on getting into stores and lose their style. Stores have a tendency to be like, "Ok, we want to see this,” and it discourages designers. That is what is great and different about Opening Ceremony. They've always been supporters. They let us have our personal freedom and personal style.
Tell us about the hair! Every collection, you guys do amazing hair.
We're really big on hair. I change my hair all the time to the point that no one recognizes me. People are always like, "Is that you Darlene?" and I'm like, "Yeah, that's me." Last season with the big high hair it was a problem dressing the models because the hair was so high!
You took a trip to Zambia recently with the 14+ Foundation, where you're working together to construct a school. Can you tell us about your trip? Did you get inspiration for the collection on that trip?
We did! That was a beautiful experience and so inspirational. The color and texture of how young people dress in Zambia was incredible.
Last question! Your collaboration with PUMA and Solange just dropped. The sneakers are so fun