CASTLEMONT STUDENTS CREATING FASHION SENSATIONS WITH HEMP

Oakland (CA) - Like most 18-year-olds Maria Hernandez is really into clothes.

But Hernandez designs and sews what she puts on.

"This took me three days to make, she said, referring to a green skirt. "I
want to be able to make clothes for movies one day."

She will be among the first graduates of the Fashion Academy at Castlemont
High School, the class as already turning heads on the streets with their
hip hemp creations.

Hemp is a fabric stronger and more durable than cotton or wool, and it gets
more comfortable as it's worn. It's become such a hit with Oakland youths
that they are planning a fashion show called "Hempsations" for Sunday from
4 to 7 p.m. at the Lake Merritt Sailboat House, 658 Bellevue Ave. in Oakland.

Hemp is becoming very popular with designers, according to Larry Serbin,
owner of Hemp Traders in Los Angeles, which sells the fabric nationwide.
"Our sales have doubled every year since we started in 1994," he said.

Sharon Drlke, 56, who makes coats, has been sowing for most of her life.
She now serves as a consultant at the school: "Hemp is a lot like linen.
It's easy to work with."

The 80-student academy started three years ago to fill a need and build
dreams.

"Young people are driving the fashion industry," said Brenda Barnes, the
academy's director. "young people know that their peers will wear, so why
not let them be a real part of the industry and become entrepreneurs?"

Students are learning about designing clothes, marketing, advertising --
jobs they can later fill, she said.

The academy has teamed up with Bill Matthews, owner of Uniforms America in
Oakland and Fano Okai, a designer for 20 years.

"Minorities are spending millions of dollars on clothes, and now we need to
see more of us getting iton designing," Matthews said. "That's what these
young people are doing. And the community should support them.

"A lot of very talented young people have a interest in fashions and
designs and this program really puts them on the right track."

Tiffany Richardson, 17, designed a black bag from hemp. "I started
sketching five years ago. I really like this material, and being in the
institute has given me some hands-on experience that I can use later when I
become a fashion designer."

Plans call for students to market their hemp creations online from the
school and from Uniforms America.

Makish Jones, 18, another designer, said. " love clothes, and young people
want clothes that are casual and fashionable. I want to make clothes that
go with anything. At first I couldn't draw but I learned how to sketch."