Last week at camp we had a bit of a treat! As blogging becomes a platform the world watches, the kid generation is taking over, fast. Two gals, have been nothing short of impressive- already a part of the blogging land, they have been seen at little such things like the White House Press Dinner, an event even seasoned journalists aspire for. They have been best friends for a year now, and with matching chucks and bangles they resemble a charm quite like that of the Olsen twins- a la Full House years. We did a little interview about them you can see below.

The last day of camp as always is bittersweet, the start of the day is all focused on projects- there is no time to think of anything else really. The campers passed cutouts and glue around and practiced their lines as counselors tried to make sure everything was perfect in the room. You would have thought we were crazy trying to tear them away from their boards for our last panel- but it was too important. Our panel discussion “Fashion Gives Back” helped our group to realize that they can do to battle the stereotype that fashion is just vanity. The insane power of fashion in the non-profit community is something is very real. Our presenters provided insight, and inspired anyone who wanted more in their fashion career to think outside the box and spread their influence far beyond a runway. After the panel our crew had some last moments for their project before their end of the week challenge: trash bag fashion. The aim is to create a beautiful garment out of trash bags, scraps and tape. Debuting their brands and their fashion upstairs for a room full of fans, our campers had an end to the day that was nothing short of fabulous. Our ‘Fashion Gives Back’ panel: Katy Wanserski, FEED PROJECTS FEED Projects' mission is to create good products that help FEED the world. We do this through the sale of FEED bags, bears, t-shirts, and other accessories by building a set donation into the cost of each product. Thus the impact of each product, signified by a stenciled number, is understandable, tangible, and meaningful. Noel D’Allacco, Operation Prom Established in 2005, Operation PROM provides resources, opportunity and mentoring to students in need.  Services are available to children in financial need, those who are homeless, sick, or disabled. School supplies and scholarships are available in addition to our regular donations of Prom dresses and tuxedos.   Gail Garramone, Fashion Delivers http://www.fashiondelivers.org Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc. mobilizes the fashion community to reach out and affect the world through their donations. Our donations provide relief and dignity to men, women, families and survivors of natural disasters. Fashion Delivers has distributed over $55 million in product donations since 2005! Tim Riley, Warby Parker http://www.warbyparker.com We believe that everyone has the right to see. Unfortunately, millions of people around the world today don’t have access to proper vision care. To help address this problem, Warby Parker partners with renowned non-profits, such as VisionSpring.org, to deliver one pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair that we sell. In doing so, we enable you to share the gift of vision with someone who can’t see today and give them the opportunity to read, to work and to live a fuller life. More photos...

Day four, the final time before our big presentations tomorrow. It seems as though this would be filled with nerves but this group eased through with confidence and giggles. It feels as though the room has known each other for weeks, the inside jokes and funny pictures flying around. Best friendships have been declared and the classroom is packed with groups trying to sit all together-buzzing about their brands. The day had an interesting start to it- as we found out that Fashion Camp NYC was on the cover of the New York Times Style Section! As the newspaper traveled the room, it made our campers feel as though their presentations tomorrow were all the more important, which inspired a new level of dedication. Our first speaker, a fashion photographer, Nadirah Zakariya surprised the group about a different way of thinking about fashion- the photographs. Her natural energy was a source of caffeine all by itself and questions were abundant. They practically followed her out the front door asking things but we had to rush in for our second speaker Nicole, the Beauty Editor at Self Magazine. Her hysterical lipstick banter made our group relax immediately and learn just how large and well thought out magazines are. As usual, they wanted to know if she got free lip gloss, but at the end the thoughtful questions from the crowd really showcased the difference between Monday and now. After lunch, all groups got to take a break from lectures and spend the afternoon out and about in New York City, shopping and researching their projects. Ready for tomorrow?!More photos...

Day three was hectic, but at this point what else is new? It seems as though there is just so much to learn in so little time and the group’s insatiable excitement helps to fuel the fire even more. We started our day with Dana-Maxx and her lovely interns talking about the importance of internships and interview tips. They learned things like how to dress, and why body language even before the interview can help you land the job! Also, Stacey Mayesh took our crew to H&M to have a styling class. We ran around the store picking out outfits for all different occasions, emphasizing the importance of personal style and knowing your client well beforehand. After a quick lunch and some project time, we were all treated to some amazing Fashion Illustration classes by amazing artists Ty and Marika. The classes practiced their form drawing, shading and proper coloring to really enhance their designs. These lessons really stuck for those who are dreaming of futures in fashion design. Last but certainly not least was the amazing Dawn Del Russo and fashion stylist and boutique owner who spoke about her career and do’s and don’ts. There were definitely interested ears in the room as hands shot up the moment questions were allowed. Amazed by her career, campers inquired about all things from how to keep your style to what to do at a trade show. The day seemed to begin with as much energy as we started with, which is something to say! More photos...

Day two was again a crazy day for our groups. Obviously engrossed in their branding projects already, no time was wasted at the start of camp. Magazine cutouts were strewn across tables as campers talked the morning away. Breaking them away from their project boards was difficult but all were excited to talk to Candace from Tarte cosmetics about marketing, PR and whats it like to work for a small cosmetics company. After tons of questions, they were treated with free products which, needless to say was a crowd pleaser! After our group got to spend time with Jennifer from Classic Kicks while she explained branding and how her and her partner successfully changed their business from storefront to exclusively web. Her passion is contagious, perhaps inspiring some future businesses. The advanced class snuck out earlier to have a tour of the Coach Archive, an unbelievable experience filled with the history of a legendary company. Afterwards, we traveled to the famous Mood Fabrics in the garment district for some swatch shopping- and ran into a Project Runway contestant!!! After the mornings’ sessions the whole camp got a special project from Dominique and Nikki from Glitter Magazine! More photos...

Even though Fashion Camp was out of session last week our influence was still hard at work! One of our favorite presenters Alexis Rodriguez from Bobbi Brown has started a blog and twitter based on us! "I just started a new blog called The PR Closet, offering young aspiring publicists info on how to break into PR, similar to my presentation. The blog was inspired by my visit to Fashion Camp and my first post talks about the program." -Alexis Rodriguez www.ThePRCloset.tumblr.com Twitter at @ThePRCloset Check it out!More photos...

The first day of Fashion Camp NYC went by so fast! There was just too much to do to even think about the time. After a quick introduction to all of the counselors and each other the marathon day began. Donna Giambrone Ingram, from the Carole Hochman Design Group started our day with an exciting presentation about the world of merchandising and design. Then Nicole and Alicia from the Associated Press swung by to chat about the life of celebrity and fashion journalists. After lunch we jumped into a session with the WanderLust girls Emily and Abigail came to talk about their lucky entrance into the fashion industry. The groups got to try their own fashion stories out. Taking pieces from the Wanderlust closet! Finally, we got to speak with Dana-Maxx who encouraged our young fashionistas to start their careers now by jumping into the industry. She talked about her inspirations and made the group understand that although the fashion industry is difficult, it is not impossible to follow your dreams. More photos...

The final day of fashion camp was bittersweet like many last days are. Our campers were excited to present their hard work yet upset about leaving the unstoppable excitement. This morning we visited Brooke Scher at Alison Brod PR company and learned all about the magic of public relations. This all female company sang with pink and bubblegum accents and had mountains of bikinis, boots, and lip gloss samples that our campers got to peek at, in awe at the amount of work that goes into selling them all their must-haves. After we had a real treat with our keynote speaker Ella Kim from Doo Ri. She has an enviable elegance and encouraged the group to follow their dreams, stay excited, and most of all listen to what their gut is saying. She instantly calmed the crew before their big presentations. While the parents filed in- last minute additions were glued and placed but it is not surprising that they wowed us with their creativity and effortless charm. The excitement at the after party was potent, munching on ice cream while numbers and hugs were exchanged. More photos...

Today was another marathon day- nonstop classes and things to do before our big presentations tomorrow. The morning split up with dual classes, some with fashion designer Dana-Maxx, where our campers learned about resumes, interviewing and the unbelievable importances of internships. Then the other crew hopped down to H&M with celebrity stylist Stacey Mayesh to have a class about personal style and designing outfits. Leaving H&M was pretty exciting when we ran into Project Runway season 6 contestant Epperson! We got to take a couple of photos with him, and see him working on the store displays. After a lunch on the run we got to hang out with the Senior Beauty Features Editor at Self Magazine, Nicole Catanese. Learning about all the different aspects of such an important magazine. We wrapped up our exhausting day with some shopping and project work. Tomorrow should bring some amazing presentations!More photos...

Today was another busy day for our group. Bright and early on the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps our campers chatted about Alexander McQueen, each others outfits and their brand projects. In the exhibit in hushed amazement the campers saw the work of an icon. After some window shopping, our group came back to learn from the amazing and talented Gwen Marter, the fashion director for Fox News. She had such a great story and enriched the room with knowledge, and her unbelievable love for fashion. After a quick lunch our groups split up for fashion illustration class with Marika and Ty. Learning about form, line and the importance of detail in a successful fashion illustration. Campers practiced their drawings, and expanded into drawing their own figures and designs while some groups snuck into a presentation by Patrick Yanez’s international trade and marketing class at the Fashion Institute of Technology. At the end of the day we all settled in for a talk by Jennifer Akin from the shoe company Classic Kicks. A woman who has a clear passion for business (and fashion camp), her sheer excitement warmed the crew to the inside marketing behind what they wear. More photos...