abc13 KTRK reporter Stefania Okolie is launching her own athletic fashion line called Solely Fit.
Fitness is important for Okolie as she told Houston Fitness Czar Samir Becic's Health Fitness Revolution in 2019.
"I am motivated by many things to stay healthy," Okolie said in HFR. "For one, when I look in the mirror I like to see a strong me. I see my fitness not only through my exterior but my interior as well. What is a strong body, without a strong mentality? I strongly believe health is wealth and it starts in your mind. My happiness is fed by living a healthy life. I am also motivated by a fitness community always striving to be better."
That love and passion for working out, led the journalist to take classes on clothing design at LabelHorde while in Phoenix where she had worked for Fox 10 KSAZ.
"I wanted a black V-neck fitted crop top and like a poly nylon blend," Okolie told the In My Humble Opinion podcast. "And I couldn't find that anywhere. You know, I wanted a jumpsuit, that's like ankle length. I wanted leggings with, like, a mesh only on...it's like things that I was looking for I could never find. So I'm like, 'I'm yeah, I feel good in these, like, solid black lulu leggings and, you know, crop white shirt.' But I'm like, 'I want to elevate myself.'"
Back in 2018, that desire and classes led her to use her Croquis fashion sketchbook to start working on what would become Solely Fit.
"Designing it is one thing, but then you have to like, construct it to go on the human body," she told the podcast. "So you need to know every single measurement. And there's probably, per a garment, there's probably 22 measurements that you need."
Okolie said in the interview that she has learned a lot through this project including patience.
So if I ever encounter a breaking news scene and Okolie is filing a report, I am stopping to ask for a discount code!
Before Fox 10 KSAZ Phoenix, Okolie worked for News 3 WTKR Norfolk, CBS 12 WPEC West Palm Beach, Florida and WRBL Columbus, GA.
Also, check out the In My Humble Opinion podcast (embedded below) to hear how Okolie had a "controversial" moment in her journalism schooling and how abc13 KTRK anchor Chauncy Glover helped land her channel 13 job!
