Two Island Pacific Academy middle school students were part of Honolulu Magazine‘s inaugural program “Reach the Runway” during fall 2015 and both got an insider’s look at the world of fashion. Each girl set her focus on one aspect of the fashion industry and one student, Mia Chapman (’20), took first place in her chosen category: Photography.
Chapman and fellow IPA student Natalia Anseeuw (’21), applied to the program during the summer and were selected to participate. Both girls put in a lot of time and effort on a series of weekends during the fall, meeting with and learning from mentors who headed up each category. Aspects of the fashion industry which were studied included journalism, photography, fashion design, magazine design, hair and makeup, styling and modeling. Photography mentors were Karen De Borja and Tommy Shih; fashion design, Anseeuw’s category, mentors were Allison Izu Song and Rumi Robertson.
A Reach the Runway participant focusing on modeling was the subject of Chapman’s winning photo. The photo was then used by another participant in the magazine design category. (Inset photo: Mia Chapman. Photo shoot and magazine cover photo courtesy Honolulu Magazine www.honolulumagazine.com/reachtherunway)
Chapman, who is considering a career in photography, now boasts an award-winning photo in her portfolio. She enjoyed some VIP treatment at Honolulu Fashion Week including a chance to see designer, Kini Zamora‘s RTR benefit fashion show.
Chapman is all smiles with her framed cover photo and winning Reach The Runway plaque.
Chapman was also given a commemorative plaque and a framed versionof her winning cover photo. Anseeuw took in the sights of Honolulu Fashion Week as well and is glad to have had the opportunity and experience of RTR.
The sketch at left is one of two that Anseeuw submitted with her application. The photo at right shows another RTR participant modeling the actual dress Anseeuw designed from her sketch as part of the competition. (Inset photo: Natalia Anseeuw. Sketch courtesy N. Anseeuw. Magazine cover photo courtesy Honolulu Magazine.)
Reach The Runway is a program of the aio Foundation and presented in partnership with Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui’s R.E.A.C.H Out Hawai‘i Initiative. Designed to inspire and support Hawai i’s youth, the program will create mentorship opportunities for O’ahu middle school students who are interested in journalism, photography, fashion design, magazine design, hair and makeup, styling or modeling. In addition to expanding their technical skills in specific fields, the program will develop students’ confidence, determination and passion for their future endeavors. (information cited from: www.honolulumagazine.com/reachtherunway).
Applications for the Reach The Runway 2016 competition are being taken now. Click here to go to the Reach The Runway website for more information and official rules.
