Get To Know This Local Designer & Opening Ceremony Virtuoso's Rules Of Style
We love tracking a skyrocketing designer or an It Girl in-the-making as much as the next one. But when it comes to up-and-coming local talent, we know it's often those lovely ladies working hard, juggling jobs/school/art, and turning everyday outfits into art that have us just as curious. So, we've whipped our new column "Girl Next Door" to dial you in to all the ordinary-and-extraordinary things your coolest NYC neighbors are up to. In our first installment, Opening Ceremony sales girl and emerging designer Lizzy Okpo tells us a little about her burgeoning clothing line William Okpo, hair jewelry, and her favorite Big City meal. Hint: It ain't pizza.
Name: Lizzy Okpo
Occupation: Business-owner/student/Opening Ceremony employee
I live in/on: Staten Island
Tell us about what you do: "I am the co-owner of the contemporary womenswear line William Okpo. I am partnered with my sister, Darlene Okpo. Darlene and I secretly snuck into designing. Our parents wanted us to have our careers in medicine, and at that time they completely rejected the idea of doing anything pertaining fashion. We loved designing and really wanted women to enjoy our designs, too, so we created William Okpo, which is inspired by our parents—our father is the name sake. I also work part-time at Opening Ceremony!"
What do you love most about your work? "My favorite part of creating William Okpo is being able to butt heads with Darlene, agree/disagree on things, and then dance and sing about our final ideas. Nothing beats that."
Name: Lizzy Okpo
Occupation: Business-owner/student/Opening Ceremony employee
I live in/on: Staten Island
Tell us about what you do: "I am the co-owner of the contemporary womenswear line William Okpo. I am partnered with my sister, Darlene Okpo. Darlene and I secretly snuck into designing. Our parents wanted us to have our careers in medicine, and at that time they completely rejected the idea of doing anything pertaining fashion. We loved designing and really wanted women to enjoy our designs, too, so we created William Okpo, which is inspired by our parents—our father is the name sake. I also work part-time at Opening Ceremony!"
What do you love most about your work? "My favorite part of creating William Okpo is being able to butt heads with Darlene, agree/disagree on things, and then dance and sing about our final ideas. Nothing beats that."
Next
- 1 of 2
in NYC