Lizzy and Darlene Okpo, Founders and Designers, William Okpo
Young, beautiful, and unbelievably charming — sisters Lizzy and Darlene Okpo come at New York fashion from a completely different angle. As local natives, they grew up surrounded by the best in style, which is perhaps why their mix of high-end Bernhard Willhelm pieces and lower-end Flatbush finds seems so organic, so natural. Their line, William Okpo (named for their father), captures some of that easygoing spirit, but also displays a level of effort and attention uncommon for designers so young. Yeah, it's hard to nail these girls down to one definition or genre, but at least we got Lizzy to point the way with a few fascinating fashion facts.
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My constant source of style inspiration:
Darlene: "Aaliyah in the ‘90s! Tight tops, loose-fitting pants, I can’t get enough.”
Darlene: "Aaliyah in the ‘90s! Tight tops, loose-fitting pants, I can’t get enough.”
My horrible style secret:
Lizzy: “Laziness is my weakness! I tend to wear wrinkled silk tops only because I'm too lazy to iron anything. Also, white clothes just aren’t for me — I'm too messy!”
Lizzy: “Laziness is my weakness! I tend to wear wrinkled silk tops only because I'm too lazy to iron anything. Also, white clothes just aren’t for me — I'm too messy!”
My boldest, summer-only style move:
Lizzy: “Showing cleavage is extremely rare for me. But, for some reason, warm weather and those bright, sunny days encourage me to don halter tops.”
Lizzy: “Showing cleavage is extremely rare for me. But, for some reason, warm weather and those bright, sunny days encourage me to don halter tops.”
My favorite summer accessory:
Darlene: “Sunglasses with beautifully colored lipstick is always a win! I tend to gravitate toward smaller-framed sunglasses, because then it wouldn't look so overwhelming with my Afro and loose-fitting clothes. It's important to wear glasses that don’t swallow your face.”
Darlene: “Sunglasses with beautifully colored lipstick is always a win! I tend to gravitate toward smaller-framed sunglasses, because then it wouldn't look so overwhelming with my Afro and loose-fitting clothes. It's important to wear glasses that don’t swallow your face.”
My favorite places to shop:
Lizzy: "Opening Ceremony, Acne, Lot-Less (seriously), and Flatbush, Brooklyn. I found my favorite pair of distressed Levi’s at this spot there. I swear, don't sleep on Flatbush shopping.”
Lizzy: "Opening Ceremony, Acne, Lot-Less (seriously), and Flatbush, Brooklyn. I found my favorite pair of distressed Levi’s at this spot there. I swear, don't sleep on Flatbush shopping.”
My style theme song:
Darlene: “’Y'all Don't Want None’ by Master P.”
Darlene: “’Y'all Don't Want None’ by Master P.”
My definitive summer go-to outfit:
Lizzy: “Long, flowy everything with high-heeled sandals. I love to feel free.”
Lizzy: “Long, flowy everything with high-heeled sandals. I love to feel free.”
If I were 80 years old today:
Lizzy: “You’d see me rocking purple hair covered with hair jewelry, killer heels, and a slim-fitting suit.”
Lizzy: “You’d see me rocking purple hair covered with hair jewelry, killer heels, and a slim-fitting suit.”
Styled by Laura Pritchard, Hair by Bethany Brill, Makeup by Tiffany Patton.
On Lizzy
Look 1: Prada Sunglasses, $290, available at Sunglass Hut; Acne camo pants; Alexander Wang collared shirt; Aline Quilicci leather clogs; Jennifer Fisher Gold XL Square Chain Link Cuff, $725, available at Jennifer Fisher; Jennifer Fisher Gold Small Square Chain Link Cuff, $375, available at Jennifer Fisher.
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Look 2: Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses, $235, available at Sunglass Hut; William Okpo box-print silk top; William Okpo box-print silk pants; J.Crew gold-link bracelet, available at J.Crew stores; Jennifer Fisher Gold XL Square Chain Link Cuff, $725, available at Jennifer Fisher; Giles & Brother Rings and Nuts Necklace, $135, available at Giles & Brother; Jennifer Fisher Gold Round-Link Chain Necklace, $520, available at Jennifer Fisher; Jennifer Fisher Gold Gun Charm $750, available at Jennifer Fisher; Jennifer Fisher Gold Lightning Bolt Charm, $500, available at Jennifer Fisher; Rebecca Minkoff strappy sandals.
On Darlene:
Look 1: Ray-Ban Sunglasses, $139.95, available at Sunglass Hut; Phillip Lim tank top; H&M silk pants; Tibi Stilettos, $304.50, available at Tibi; IOSSELLIANI Brass and Rhinestone Earrings, $249, available at Scoop NYC; Jennifer Fisher Gold Pulse Bar Ring, $1,600, available at Jennifer Fisher; Jennifer Fisher Gold Vertebrae Branch Cuff, $1,375, available at Jennifer Fisher.
Look 2: Miu Miu Sunglasses, $235, available at Sunglass Hut; William Okpo denim drawstring dress; Pierre Hardy wedges, $795, available at Saks Fifth Avenue; HELIANTHUS Croc Bracelet, $449, available by special order, 212-563-0163.