Hip hop, Prada, and fashion all have one thing in common: Lamar High School fashion design teacherHananiOwekha.
Owekha’s career in fashion design is deeply rooted in his love for singing and R&B, as well as his passion for showcasing his art in multiple ways. His career and technical education journey began when he was a student at Bowie High School, where he first developed an interest in standing out among his fashionable peers while walking the halls.
“The diversity of the school and the people I went to school with helped me with my fashion sense,”Owekhasaid. “Bowie was one of those schoolswhere you had toshow upwith the newest shoes and keep up. It wasa great experience.”
One ofOwekha’sfirst jobs was at The Parks Mallat Arlington,where he worked at Forever 21 anddiscoveredhe enjoyedstyling outfitsfor customers.Aftergraduating fromhigh school,Owekhastudiedfashiondesign at Texas TechUniversitywhile alsopursuingmusic on the side.
“I look at fabric like a beat,” Owekha said. “Fabric can be made into a shirt, pants, or a hat. Likewise, in music, that beat could be made into a happy song, a sad song, R&B, country, or hip-hop.”
He explained that having asolidplan allows him to create in both the fashion andmusic industries.His connections inbothworldsnow influencehow he teacheshisFashion I andFashionII courses.
“I usuallybring inmentors and people from the industry to talk tostudentsand help them understand the research and preparation that goes into fashion design,”he said.
Most recently,Owekhawelcomedthe head fashion designerforNike and,whospoke to hisFashion II classabouthow understanding sport informs the design of high-quality products.Bringing real-world professionals into the classroom is a key part ofOwekha’steaching approach, giving students a rare opportunity to experience the fast-paced world of fashion beyond the textbook.
Owekha’sclass is offeredthrough the district’sCareerandTechnicalEducation program,whichequipsstudentswith practical skills to prepare them forthe workforceor further education.
“You can turn this into a job. You can turn this into somethingthat’sfruitful,”Owekhasaid.“Thisis a trade,anditcanbe something you profit from.”
AsOwekhareflected onsome of his proudest moments as a teacher, hebeamed with prideand said, “Somewhere down the line,I’llbe able tosay,‘That designer right there was one of my students.’”