IN TRUE FASHION BEGINS SECOND SEMESTER!
Project Runway meets The Apprentice and Reality meets Substance
In True Fashion is back in the classroom for its second semester. An apprenticeship program that builds self-esteem and work ethic in American youth through hands-on participation and promotes the value of products “Made in the USA,” In True Fashion is bringing to life a much-needed resource for building better futures in our community in another class of impassioned students. Check back next week as the students begin working in their teams and start dreaming big!
ECHS STUDENTS SHOW APPRECIATION FOR JAMAH’S IN TRUE FASHION AND WE RESPOND
Beyond conversations, posts and emails, the inaugural class presents a giant thank you card signed by inaugural class!
Ironically, In True Fashion was created to inspire the students, but we are the one’s being inspired . . . welcome to the world of teaching!
Thank you NFTE and ECHS,
Nancy & Jacquelyn
STUDENT BAGS UNVEILED AT NFTE LA’S REGIONAL YOUTH BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION
In True Fashion student team marketing representatives from Environmental Charter High School presented their completed bags at NFTE LA’s Regional Youth Business Plan Competition at USC. In keeping with In True Fashion’s motto of ‘dreaming big,’ models were assigned to each teams representative, allowing the students to properly market the features and design of their team’s bag. Guests were able to vote for their favorite design as student’s shared the process of In True Fashion’s inaugural journey. Will Renfroe, the In True Fashion Student Spokesperson, shared the experience with the audience, from the classroom’s initial hesitant attitude to the ultimate embrace of the project, making special note of the confidence building and heightened self-esteem for each student involved. Vote now for your favorite team bag!
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 14
After spending the semester creating a bag, the student’s success proved the ultimate accomplishment of each team’s hard work and dedication. The bags came directly from the JAMAH factory, true to the team’s sketches and actualized the student’s visions. The bags epitomize the goal of the student’s journey, utilizing the process of completing a final product to empower and shape destinies. Students appreciation for In True Fashion was overwhelmingly evident as they eagerly reviewed their bags and began promoting the contest. Each student proudly autographed the interior of their team bag, escalating their self-worth. Vote now for your favorite team bag!
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 12
Teams received cut-outs that showed the shape and size of their designs. These rough mock-ups proved the perfect visual for students to test out their bags before samples were made. Teams were able to alter their designs if they needed too and the completed patterns were sent to the factory. Check back for Week 14 when students receive samples of their design!
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 11
With the team’s designs complete, students began shooting videos for the media during Week 11. Each team scripted an opening that introduced local TV stations to In True Fashion. Their videos included student’s sharing their team’s progress and bag design as well as personal testimonies. Stay tuned for next week when the student’s receive a mock-up of their bag!
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 9
Week 9 marked the halfway point of In True Fashion and the students progress showed it. Large sketches outlined each team’s design as they began putting together mock-ups with muslin, glue and pins. Students browsed swatches and chose colors and textures that would go best with their team’s design. The marketing students continued work on ‘Will’s Oprah Campaign,’ recording testimonials and asking for Oprah to give In True Fashion exposure so it can change the lives of others, as it is theirs.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S RACE TO THE TOP COMMENCEMENT CHALLENGE
JAMAH’S In True Fashion pays it forward to Environmental Charter High School, bringing the students to meet Sir Richard Branson. Join him as he ‘Fashions the Vote’ for President Obama’s Race to the Top Commencement Challenge.
President Obama will speak at the winning high school’s commencement ceremony!
Click to Vote:
www.whitehouse.gov/commencement
Experience more of the journey:
http://bit.ly/journeyECHS
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 8
In class for the eighth week, students finalized their bag designs and prepared their sketches to be translated into fabric mockups. While their teams were designing, the marketing students met with guest faculty, Taura Mizrahi, of The Write Approach. She introduced the group to press releases and the best ways to reach out to the media. Students also continued working on ‘Will’s Oprah Campaign’ by filming their reaction to In True Fashion.
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 7
After a week of spring break students returned to class, even closer to their finalizing their team designs. Working again with clay and sketches teams focused on the hardware elements they planned to incorporate. Teams also shared new ideas for press reach out including Facebook, word-of-mouth, Youtube and celebrity spokespersons. The marketing students of each team met to discuss ‘Will’s Oprah Campaign’ and how they would reach out to The Oprah Show via written entries, video and more. Will’s vision is that Oprah will show her support and get involved with In True Fashion because it is helping students live their best lives.
The students have already begun writing the their letters to Oprah. Get a sneak peek below . . .
“There is a great need for In True Fashion . . . so many kids need this inspiration.”
“In True Fashion is an inspiring program that allows students to design bags and learn entrepreneurship.”
“In True Fashion is showing us the positive effects of manufacturing in the USA. It’s been amazing to experience a factory filled with artists that feels like a family.”
“We would love you to help spread the news about In True Fashion.”
“In True Fashion is an extraordinary program that allows high school students to design bags and how to run a business. This program allows students to step into the world of entrepreneurship.”
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 5
Fresh from the factory field trip students gained a new perspective on their designs. During this class teams were introduced to clay. They were able to mold their designs in 3D form and evaluate how their bag elements interacted. Teams drew closer to finalizing their sketch designs and this new design tool aided in creating a dynamic mock-up of their final bag.
Stay tuned for the reveal of one student’s campaign idea!
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 4
The fourth week of In True Fashion‘s inaugural class found students diving into the design process as they explored limitless bag ideas. Working in teams, students used sketch paper, muslin, glue, pins and their imagination to visualize the initial components of their team’s design. While the designers on each team were concentrating on the construction of the bag, the finance students were considering the cost of production and the marketing students were analyzing the saleability of the bag. Each student plays an important role in the overall process and as they begin the first stages of design, they’ll discover how crucial each component is to the final result. Teams set goals from completing their design to sourcing fabric. To reach their weekly goals, students assigned each other tasks such as bringing in materials for inspiration and budget research.
In honoring JAMAH’s In True Fashion philosophy of dreaming big, students were transported to the JAMAH factory in limos. Students toured the facility and explored the production process, yielding a truly inspired day.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
There’s always something more . . . the name of Dr. Seuss’ first book that was rejected 27 times! How did he know there was something more? What kept him from never giving up? We all need inspiration to follow our dreams. Here are some quotes that inspire In True Fashion and JAMAH . . .
“Be who you are.” (JAMAH)
“Be who you are & say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter & those who matter don’t mind!” (Dr. Seuss)
“Beauty comes from within.” (unknown)
“If one person decides that they want something to change then it can change!” (unknown)
“You never give up . . . you may need to change course, but you never give up!” (Donald Trump)
“Nothing will change if you don’t do things differently.” (unknown)
“Self-esteem has no boundaries.” (unknown)
“The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action.” (unknown)
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” (Joseph Campbell)
“What is in true fashion is what is on the inside . . . everything else is just an accessory.” (unknown)
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 3
The third week introduced the students to the materials and process of creating a bag. Not only did the guest faculty, Eddie, the owner of JAMAH’s factory, share the various leathers available (from alligator to lizard to lamb to snake!), he also showed the students the elements and costs of designing and manufacturing a bag. With labor, material and shipping to name a few, there is much more than meets the eye. The teams began brainstorming as to how these factors will affect their design. Next week they’ll develop their ideas further through sketching and molding.
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 2
The second day of In True Fashion found the students beginning to explore their passion. As the driving philosophy of In True Fashion, students will learn to implement their personal passion into all their assigned tasks. To begin uncovering the inspiration behind their passion, students brought to class their favorite bag. In effort to encourage out-of-the-box thinking, they also brought an object, unrelated to fashion, that reflects their favorite shape. Bags varied from shiny and small to large and handmade. They were then able to recognize how their favorite shape will translate into a utility object such as a bag. This initial exploration will continue to apply as they begin to create next week.
DOES “MADE IN THE USA” MATTER TO YOU?
We at In True Fashion want to know, does it matter to you? Let us know on our survey page.
THE CLASSROOM • SEMESTER 1 • WEEK 1
In True Fashion officially launched on February 22. The first day of class began in typical fashion with the students unsure of what to expect. As they learned more about the In True Fashion experience, their curiosity was picqued. They were introduced to field trips, program curriculum, the national contest and the challenges they would face if heard using the always forbidden, off-limits “no, but.” At the conclusion of their initiation, they were excited to embark on the In True Fashion journey.
It was only the first day of class and already Sharareh was inspired!
CAUSE SUPPORTING CAUSE • BEAUTY BUS FOUNDATION
With a deep passion for our cause, it is important to recognize the value of like-minded organizations. This week In True Fashion honors Beauty Bus Foundation.
During the most difficult times for a person to feel confident and beautiful, The Beauty Bus Foundation has found the perfect way to enhance the quality of life for homebound, terminally or chronically ill individuals and their primary caregivers. This non-profit brings beauty home, providing professional beauty services that enable these individuals to feel empowered inside and out. Beauty Bus brings inner confidence to the surface, aligning with In True Fashion‘s philosophy that beauty comes from within.
Due to illness the importance of beautification is often forgotten. By providing these makeovers, Beauty Bus helps to improve their clients quality of life by helping them to better deal with their treatments. With a renewed attitude and confidence, The Beauty Bus epitomizes In True Fashion‘s motto that what is truly fashionable is on the inside.
Please visit www.beautybus.org or call 310.287.1272.
JAMAH PRESENTS IN TRUE FASHION
In True Fashion kicks off in February 2010. In True Fashion is a program that will build self-esteem and work ethic in American youth through hands-on participation and promote the value of products “Made in the USA.” Together with NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, JAMAH will bring to life a much-needed resource for building better futures in our community.