Hopatcong Alumni Award winner pays it forward

HOPATCONG – Meagan Ollari would be the first to say she never thought she would be leading a high school class discussion.

“When I was in high school I was the class clown, a social butterfly, always late for first period,” said Ollari, 27, currently living in Ridgefield Park. “School was a fashion show and I looked forward to walking down the hallways between classes. I went to school to show what I was wearing and to see what boys were looking at me. Then I would leave school early to hop a train into New York City – not that I encourage that.”

But times have changed. Ollari is on her way to becoming a successful fashion designer, prompting her high school to name her a distinguished alumni and asked her to collaborate with the school’s new fashion class.

After working in showrooms and creating nearly 100 designer items for stores including Delia’s, Guess, and Urban Outfitters, Ollari set out to create her own self-titled clothing line.

“I wanted more control. It’s in me to make sure everything’s perfect,” she said. “When you’re a young woman starting a business, it can be difficult to be taken seriously. But that makes me want to prove myself that much more. This is in my blood, I’m passionate about it.”

In September, Ollari closed the Designers' Review at New York Fashion Week, showcasing her 30-piece Spring Summer 2015 Dragonfly Oasis collection of womenswear.

Hopatcong High School Principal Lewis Benfatti took notice, and named the Class of 2006 graduate the recipient of the school’s first Hopatcong's Alumni Entrepreneur Scholarship Award.

“Meagan has made a name for herself in the industry. What better way to introduce students to fashion that bringing in a top-notch designer?” Benfatti said. “Through this collaboration, we’re able to support Meagan and infuse her endeavors with our school at the same time. We’re excited to support her.”

In accepting the honor, Ollari agreed to work with the first-year Fashion Design program, run by Michele Culcasi.

“Meagan’s going to be famous one day. She’s already done New York Fashion Week, so I wasn’t sure she would come back to Hopatcong, but she was happy to,” Culcasi said. “She’s going to be a rock star. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students. I don’t think we can replicate this.”

After the class developed a working knowledge of Ollari’s brand, they were each tasked with designing a t-shirt they would sell.

“The goal was for the girls to take Meagan’s high end product and make it budget friendly,” Culcasi said.

Ollari chose the winning design out of more than 50 entries because it was cohesive with her original design, utilized the dragonfly logo she debuted at Fashion Week, and because it best represented her core collection.

“It also used lavender, and had a feminine font but wasn’t overly girly,” she said. “It’s a baseball tee so it’s wearable for both sexes, and it’s not too busy, which represents the brand well.”

Sponsors will have their names on the back of the shirt, which Culcasi said will give local businesses the opportunity to support one of their own.

Students in the class will then sell as many of the shirts as possible. The high school plans to have a Black and White Out Day in the spring, where all the students will wear the shirt.

The proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go toward Ollari’s Alumni Award scholarship, which she plans to put toward her business expenses.

The girl who sells the most shirts will also earn a special prize. Ollari plans to personally design and create the winner’s prom dress.

“Someone is going to wear and own Megan’s first designed gown,” Culcasi said. “When she becomes the next Coco Chanel, they’ll have a dress of hers hanging in their closet, tailored and designed by Meagan Ollari.”

In addition to the T-shirt design project, Ollari gave students a detailed look at what it takes to have a career in the fashion industry.

“This is a process-oriented industry,” Ollari said,” So I wanted to bring that hand-on experience and knowledge to the class.”

Senior Rachel Mickiewicz - one of the most promising students in the class according to Ollari and Culcasi - plans to go to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in California after graduating this year.

Mickiewicz has some ideas of what her clothing line might include, and a name ready to go – Superior Beings. The fashion class has helped reinforce her passion for the trade.

“I had a big interest before the class but having Meagan come in inspired me more,” Mickiewicz said. “She taught me about different ways garments can be made, types of fabrics I didn’t know about before.”

In addition to showcasing her brand, sketches, and designs, Ollari told students about the brevity and variety of the opportunities available in fashion for those who wish to pursue a career in the field.

“The fashion design industry is huge and there are a ton of jobs out there,” Ollari said. “So I talked about the importance of college and internships, internships, internships. It takes determination and work to be successful.”

Ollari has learned a lot in her four-plus post-college years in the fashion world, and she’s been happy to share her knowledge with students from her hometown, who may one day follow in her footsteps.

“I’m glad Hopatcong has something like this now,” Ollari said of the fashion class. “It’s a way for me to inspire these girls while also raising money for me as an emerging designer.”

With the Alumni scholarship, Ollari hopes to be able to take a trip to the factory in New Delhi, India where her clothing line is made.

Culcasi expects the Fashion Design class to be available again next year, which will be tailored to Ollari’s advice and teachings.

“Meagan brought the course to life. She schooled me on this class,” Culcasi said. “And it’s the best class I’ve ever taught. The girls are into it, it provides real-world help, and it’s fun.”

Ollari said no matter where her career takes her, she hopes to continue to return to Hopatcong to work with students.

“Because I know how important it is,” she said. “I remember where I came from.”

Ollari’s Spring Summer 2015 collection will be available in May, and she is already hard at work on her fall collection.

“It’s exciting that it’s finally coming out, but I do have some anxiety because I’m a new independent designer,” Ollari said. “It’s my passion though, and I’m excited for what the future has in store.”

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@dailyrecord.com

To help Ollari raise money for start-up business expenses, go to http://www.gofundme.com/dcgjac and go to www.MeaganOllari.com to learn more about the brand.