The young and the fashion conscious

Budding fashion designers with Artists for Humanity shared the limelight at the South Boston beauty studio Sarra during last week’s preview of their first collection, called ‘‘Les Quatres Elements.’’ Fetching totes, cosmetic bags, and clutches made of recycled fabrics and adorned with ribbons, beads, and buttons, were set off perfectly by white display tables and exposed brick walls. Teens from the program, which provides paid apprenticeships in the arts, snapped photos and chatted with friends and mentors while we circled the room and pulled aside a few of the well-attired attendees.

Residence: Lower Mills, Dorchester

Job: Works in the Artists for Humanity sculpture studio and studies at East Boston High School

What kind of art do you like most? I like realism, but I'm open to everything.

Which artists have most inspired you? Vincent van Gogh. People always ask me why. It's not his art really, but who he was as a person. The more I read about him, the more fascinated I became. . . . Who would cut off [part of] his ear, really?

How long have you been involved with Artists for Humanity? I've been at AFH for two or three years. I love it so much. The first time I went, I saw paint splattered on the floor and knew it was for me. I hate when people call it an "after-school program," because it's so much more than that. . . . It's so great. I draw inspiration from everyone there.

I like your outfit. It's put together well. I dress like an artist. People say I have a hipster style. These cowboy boots, my sister got them, but they didn't fit her. So I tried them on and they were perfect for me. They're L.E.I. The hat, I also got from my sister. I exchanged it for a scarf. The earrings, leggings, and two undershirts come from H&M. The sweaters are from Macy's.

Residence: Boston

Job: Works in the Artists for Humanity fashion studio and studies at South Boston High School

What are you working on now in the fashion studio? Right now we have different bags like that [gestures toward the bags on display]. But they have different backgrounds and colors, like fish or graffiti.

What project are you most proud of? That evening clutch right there is mine. It actually works for either daytime or nighttime. These brown beads are for the nighttime, and the purple beads are for the day. I sewed on the beads by hand.

I love your scarf. Great bold color. Thanks. It's actually a sweater that I cut the bottom off of.

And I see you're wearing a Red Sox cap. Are you a baseball fan? Not really. My hair's not done, so I put it on.

Where do you shop? The Garment District, because it's somewhere that not everyone goes. Also H&M and Urban Outfitters.

Who are some of the most stylish celebrities, in your opinion? Keyshia Cole, Beyoncé, and Kanye West. And Tyra Banks. I love her show.

Residence: Boston

Job: Works in the Artists for Humanity painting studio and studies at the South Shore Charter Public School

I love your belt and hat. Where did you get them? I got the belt at Newbury Comics. It's black and white, so I figured it would go with any outfit. The hat I just found around the house.

Cool shoes, too. Thanks. They're from Old Navy.

What kind of art do you like most? I like graphic art. Now I'm doing painting.

How did you get involved with Artists for Humanity? My mom researched it on the Internet, and when I visited, I liked it. My brother is in it, too.

Which artist or musician inspires you most? I like Alicia Keys. That might sound kind of weird. But she seems like a nice person. And she seems like she's not faking it.

Residence: Mattapan

Job: Works in the painting studio at Artists for Humanity and studies at Brighton High School

What kind of art do you do? I do a lot of nature paintings, animals and their surroundings. People like nature, which is why I focus on it.

I noticed your jewelry. I see one earring says your name. Yeah. I had another one, but I lost it.

How about your rings? This "B" [points to a small ring] stands for Basil. It means king. This one [points to a gold array of cards] is a royal flush. I used to gamble a lot, but I don't anymore.

How about the rest of your outfit? The sweatshirt has a card decoration, too. I think it came from Macy's. It was a present. The jeans are Levi's. The red sneakers are Nike.

What would you be doing right now if you weren't here? I'd be in the painting studio. I'm working on a project on about-to-be-extinct trees. It's a large painting on how trees are being mistreated.

What music do you listen to? I like 50 Cent. A lot of people hate him, but I don't think that's fair. He's done some things wrong, but people should give him a chance. Everyone makes mistakes.