Fashion Club left its mark on Oak Park High School over this past school year. The club began in August 2019 and was created by senior Cambria Larks.

Larks, Fashion Club president, said that she has always wanted to start a fashion club. However, this, technically, was not the first fashion club she has started.

“When I was in first grade at Calabash Elementary School in Woodland Hills, I started an unofficial Fashion Club in the library,” Larks said. “We would draw princess dresses and we started a fake little brand. That experience is what really made me want to start a fashion club when I was older and more experienced.”

Larks, who will be attending New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology this fall, said that there was a time where she actually wanted to be an astronaut.

“When I was younger, originally I wanted to be an astronaut, but then I thought that was too dangerous. I, as a 6-year-old, went into the library and I went into the career section. I looked for things that involve art and clothes because I know that I like drawing, and I know I like picking out my clothes every day,” Larks said. “Then I saw ‘Fashion Designer’ and I was like ‘Oh, that’s intriguing.’ So, I looked at the book and I was like ‘Oh my god, this job is perfect for me.’”

At meetings, members do different DIY projects like making tube tops, hair scrunchies and more.

Fashion Club vice-president and senior Carly Friedlander wrote to the Talon that “making tube tops was super fun. It was a great bonding activity and it was really great to see the club members create their unique pieces.”

Anna Bojorquez, Fashion Club adviser, has had Larks as a student in three different classes: Beginning Drawing and Painting, Advanced Drawing and Painting and AP Art.

“It’s fascinating for me to see what she’s done with the program,” Bojorquez said. “It makes me super proud to see such talent at a young age. She’s an example of somebody who took their interest and just went with it. She has so much potential in her.”

In addition to the club meetings, Fashion Club also went to the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing debut show at the Barker Hangar theater in Santa Monica. Since the club is affiliated with FIDM, Larks was able to get tickets for the club.

Friedlander described the club as a “positive experience.”

“I’ve loved fashion ever since I was a little girl,” Friedlander said. “I think that fashion is such an amazing way to express yourself as an individual and show your artistic side. Fashion is a part of my identity.”

She mentioned that she has always loved fashion and was happy when Larks asked her to be vice president for this club.

Freshman Gwen Star joined Fashion Club because she thought it would be a good place to meet people while learning about fashion.

“My favorite part of fashion club is spending time with each other while making clothes,” Star wrote to the Talon.

Larks said, “the girls make it great because they’re really dedicated and loyal to the club. They’re always really excited to come, which makes me really excited about what I’m doing.”

“I’m hoping that someone will want to pick up the club, but I don’t think anyone will. I hope that someone will resurrect it in another year.”