During the summer, the Brooklyn Public Library hosts a free program mentoring aspiring fashion designers – some with no formal experience – with an assist from "Project Runway All Stars" alum Benjamin Mach. Correspondent Elaine Quijano reports on the Brooklyn Fashion Academy and its goal to broaden access into the fashion industry.

Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Public Library's Fashion Academy provides a unique opportunity for local aspiring designers to develop their skills and showcase their work. Founded by Lindsay Augustin and Winnie C. Clay, the free 16-week program is open to library cardholders living in the community who know how to sew. The academy relies on donations and currently faces funding limitations, which have paused new student admissions until additional resources are secured. 

Participants receive mentorship from industry professionals, including Project Runway All-Stars alum Benjamin Mack, and learn to transform their ideas into completed garments. The program culminates in a fashion show held at the library, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and creative ambitions of its students. Organizers emphasize that the academy aims to break down barriers in the fashion industry and inspire participants to pursue their passions.

Brooklyn Fashion Academy: Opening the door to new talent

Elaine Quijano has proof a public library can become a key part of the fabric of a community. Come on ladies and gentlemen, make some noise, make some noise, make some noise, make some noise! The fashions walking down this runway were created by 11 designers whose garments had never been seen publicly before. This isn't New York Fashion Week, it's the Brooklyn Public Library's Fashion Academy. It was just such an amazing space. Lindsay Augustin and Winnie C. Clay founded the 16-week program, which is free for Brooklyn Public Library cardholders. Participants also need to live in the community and know how to sew. With fashion, it's such a gate-kept industry, it can feel really, really hard to get in. You're not sure what to do, especially if you have talent. Without the right connections, without knowing the industry, well we'll give you the insights so you can do what you need to do to get in there. The academy relies on the generosity of donors. In fact, the program isn't accepting more students until next year due to lack of funding. What kind of operating budget do you have? We started out with $15,000 to make all of this happen, if you can imagine. We had a lot of donations. Who has designed a collection before? To help guide the students, Augustin turned to designer and Project Runway All-Stars alum Benjamin Mack. My dress is wicked. She's wicked here, she has a split here, she's wicked there. And I laid it all out from beginning to end and he was in shock. He was sold, but he was also in shock because he goes, you really just walked in here and waited. Lindsey's got a really great energy and I think that her enthusiasm for the project was quite positive. If something feels good, I've got no problem in just saying yes. That was eight years ago. Mack is now a fixture, drawing out designers' creativity. I just don't know how I'm going to cut it out and make the shape of it. That's okay, you don't have to know today. When I see their face light up when they're talking about an idea, that's when I grab that and I'm like, okay, we're running with that. That's the bit that we're going to try and grow. Growing is the goal for these students who bring a wide range of work and life experience. My name is Regina Spann, I'm 51 years old. Occupation is human resources. Hi, I'm Suanetta Hunt, I am 24. I am a wardrobe stylist and a fashion designer. I'm Victoria Eriskina, I'm 27. I'm coming from the industry of facade engineering. Like their backgrounds, their reasons for joining the Academy vary. Regina Spann followed a traditional career path for years. Why did you apply? I've always did what I was supposed to do, which is go to school, go to college, get a degree, get a job. But I wanted to do something that I was truly passionate about. Lamika Pugh heard about the Academy years ago. I applied, I got in, and then I was too nervous, so I dropped out. So this year, I kind of like made a dedication that I was going to try it again. This is kind of like my second chance. The students all take the same first steps, turning ideas into something tangible, a sketch. I put it on a skirt at the top, but I'm not really sure if that's what it's going to be. This, I don't need much fabric on this. I only need like two yards maybe. Two? Okay. After drawing their designs, the students search for materials. Wow, that's such a good color. Maybe screen printing on top of it, but I'm nervous. Then the designers, including Suanetta Hunt, begin construction. She credits a relative with encouraging her to explore what the library had to offer. My sister, she's a librarian. She always just seeks out all the libraries that are near me. She always says, just go in there, you'll find so many opportunities. Benjamin Mack encourages students to take them. There's another piece on this side, right? So it can be coming like that, right? And to consider questions beyond the nuts and bolts of making garments. What is your message? As a fashion designer, you need to have a message. Yes, you can make a beautiful piece, but what are you trying to tell people, tell the world? And I think that's like the one thing that he was pushing us to do. Finally, the night of the fashion show arrives. The culmination of months at the academy, and for some, years of perseverance. Once again, make some noise for Regina Spann! Make some noise! Once again, make some noise for Regina Spann! Make some noise! What is the statement you hope to make by having this runway show in the lobby of the Brooklyn Public Library? The statement is, anything is possible. If you dream it, it can happen. If you want it, you can attain it. This world is full of opportunity. You just have to grab it. The Brooklyn Public Library

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