A Fashionista Grows Up in Brooklyn

Brooklyn, New York— Brooklyn-based fashion designer Aja Calvitti announced today her collaboration with the 1City Youth Project , an innovative not-for-profit youth service agency dedicated to providing free programs, activities and services to inner-city youth. The agency, now celebrating its 17th year of service, has provided free programming to more than 2000 youth in New York City with no major sources of funding.

Each Saturday in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, Calvitti assists high school girls in the “Fashion Club”, one of the many programs sponsored by 1City. The club has been tasked with creating a clothing line in collaboration with the agency’s modeling club. The class, which focuses not only on the creative underpinnings of the fashion world but also on its practical application in the realm of business, culminates with a fashion show of student work in June. Calvitti’s status as an up-and-comer in New York City’s rarified fashion arena grants her access to some of the city’s most illustrious young talent. As such, she has rallied her contacts to bring in a range of guest speakers whose fresh and seasoned voices are valuable assets to 1City’s youth. The speakers address questions relating to garment construction for the student fashion show and provide constructive commentary about pursuing a career in fashion design.Calvitti created the project as a means of mobilizing the community while participating in a Landmark Education leadership program. Landmark Education is an international training and development company, renowned for their flagship course The Landmark Forum ( www.landmarkeducation.com ).“I found design while taking a home economics class in the 7th grade and it inspired me to pursue a career in fashion,” says Calvitti. “Now I’m paying it forward by volunteering with this group of girls. My hope is that my contribution might not only inspire, but also provide the tools necessary to help them follow their dreams in design.”"1City has been a part of my life since I was 15 years old. Every child and volunteer has a special and unique story. With all of our differences, the one thing that unites us all is our "City". Everyone who is part of 1City blesses me tremendously by just coming around every week and showing their commitment. I am deeply grateful to be able to give back what 1City has given to me - a home, a sense of purpose and a family!" Rev. Dr. Leisa Williams.www.basic.i8.comMedia

Contact:Aja Calvitti 973-768-3805ajacalvitti@yahoo.comA FASHIONISTA GROWS UP IN BROOKLYN

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Aja Calvitti