Razzle dazzle style sizzling summer style fashion fun
Calling all fashionistas—The Outlet Shops of Grand River are looking for a few good gals from the ages of six to fifteen to suit up for Fashion Camp.
Fashion Camp started in June and runs until August 3.
Covering topics from fashion history to lunch etiquette, these young ladies discover what it means to be stylish.
“Being stylish is about letting your individuality shine,” said Fashion Camp director Tracy James Robinson. “We’re teaching girls how to give and receive compliments no matter if they’re a tom boy or girlie girl. Fashion Camp is all about accentuating the positive.”
Equipping these young ladies with the right tools, Robinson is teaching Fashion Camp attendees how to treat others and carry themselves all in a fashionable manner.
Gathering fashion inspiration, the girls were given a Project Runway like assignment as they were divided into three groups and given a picture of the Sahara Desert, a bowl of candy and the New York City skyline.
“They put together three collections using things they liked from different magazines,” said Robinson.
Coming up with names such as Candy Shop Collection and the Big Apple Collection, the girls were commended for their keen eyes.
Later they were taken to Claire’s for a Fashion Camp favorite as the participants were asked to pick out the most stylish accessories for each outfit.
The day culminating with the ladies working the catwalk in their own runway show as each camper became their own stylist and got to pick out their favorite look.
“This allows them to become the stylist and do their own thing,” said Robinson.
Watching excerpts from Devil Wears Prada and real runway shows, the girls were inspired to craft their on super model walks.
Sharing sass, spunk and smiles with the crowd at The Children’s Place, seven campers showed what it takes to walk the walk.
Showcasing their own style, Lucy Woodkey wore a straw hat with yellow ribbon, detailing Sistine Lawag dazzled in one of her favorite colors—hot pink (the other is lime green), while Abby Wyatt emphasized her devotion to “long live the queen” in a British flag tee.
“We had a lot of laughs and it was a lot of fun,” said 11-year-old Woodkey. “The best part about fashion is you don’t have to be afraid to express yourself.”
Her friend Anne Mitchell Welch is all about the accessories.
“I like sunglasses,” said Welch. “What I like about fashion is you can mix and match and be really bright.”
Citing royal blue and hot pink as her favorite colors, Welch says her style icon is Kate Middleton, and she likes to keep with the latest trends by reading In Style magazine.
Lawag, a 10-year-old student at Moody Middle School loves shoes and learning about fabrics. Her favorite part of Fashion Camp was working the runway.
Receiving personal attention all day long, perhaps the best advice was from make-up artist Kerri Bunn who asked the girls, “Where does a princess’ true beauty come from?” The answer, “Their heart.”
To find out how to get your fashion forward thinker signed up for Fashion Camp, log onto
www.shopsofgrandriver.com, then click on events.
Slots are still available. Fashion Camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and runs for age groups 6-7, 8-9, 10-12 and 13 – 15.
“This is a fun age group,” said Robinson. “Fashion Camp is a great time!”