Tyra Banks creating an amusement park in Los Angeles

Theme park realness, but make it fashion

Theme park realness, but make it fashion

Tyra Banks creating an amusement park in Los Angeles

Theme park realness, but make it fashion

Supermodel, talk show host, actress, author and smize queen Tyra Banks will be launching a model-inspired theme park that is set to debut later this year in the Santa Monica Place shopping mall in L.A., according to WWD.Now with the support of the mall's owner/operator, Macerich, and other investors, Banks will now have the opportunity to "bring modeling to the masses.” “I created ' Top Model' to expand the definition of beauty based on my own pain of being told ‘No,’ that I couldn’t do something because I’m curvy or I’m black. My empathy for women in general increased through the experience," Banks told Booth Moore, of WWD.She continued: "And now with Modelland, I’m taking it 10 steps forward, giving people the opportunity to engage with the elusive world by opening it up to everyone. Men, women, families, all generations can come and enter this model world for a day, have a fun shopping experience and an eventful meal. This will be the first of many.”"This is bursting the door open and redefining what a model is. It’s all about inclusiveness."Banks explained that her multi-level amusement park is fantasy-based and an interactive experience; for example, guests can wear custom-created pieces crafted by Hollywood costume designers and stylists. She added that Modelland merchandise will be available for purchase alongside other brands, although the specific names have yet to be disclosed. “It’s a permanent attraction anchoring the mall. I’m inspired by Disneyland, a place I went to a lot as a child. There is a storyline I have been working on for a year. Anybody can enter and feel like a model,” she said about the space. Banks first gained traction in the industry after she signed with Elite Models in Milan and made a name for herself among the fashion-set when she was just 16 years old. Since then, modeling-wise the entrepreneur made history as the first black model to grace the cover of "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit" in 1997 and became a contracted Victoria's Secret Angel who sported the Fantasy Bra two times (1997 and 2004). With her modeling roots deeply embedded in the catwalk, it might be safe to assume that visitors to Modelland will be able to walk and watch daily runway shows. However, Banks explained that is not high on the team's priority list. “That’s low-hanging fruit. This is bursting the door open and redefining what a model is. It’s all about inclusiveness,” she said.Although she has not divulged an exact opening date, Banks did confirm to WWD that her theme park will open sometime in 2019, and she wants to expand internationally.

Now with the support of the mall's owner/operator, Macerich, and other investors, Banks will now have the opportunity to "bring modeling to the masses.”

“I created '[American's Next] Top Model' to expand the definition of beauty based on my own pain of being told ‘No,’ that I couldn’t do something because I’m curvy or I’m black. My empathy for women in general increased through the experience," Banks told Booth Moore, of .

She continued: "And now with Modelland, I’m taking it 10 steps forward, giving people the opportunity to engage with the elusive world by opening it up to everyone. Men, women, families, all generations can come and enter this model world for a day, have a fun shopping experience and an eventful meal. This will be the first of many.”

"This is bursting the door open and redefining what a model is. It’s all about inclusiveness."

Banks explained that her multi-level amusement park is fantasy-based and an interactive experience; for example, guests can wear custom-created pieces crafted by Hollywood costume designers and stylists. She added that Modelland merchandise will be available for purchase alongside other brands, although the specific names have yet to be disclosed.

“It’s a permanent attraction anchoring the mall. I’m inspired by Disneyland, a place I went to a lot as a child. There is a storyline I have been working on for a year. Anybody can enter and feel like a model,” she said about the space.

Banks first gained traction in the industry after she signed with Elite Models in Milan and made a name for herself among the fashion-set when she was just 16 years old. Since then, modeling-wise the entrepreneur made history as the first black model to grace the cover of "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit" in 1997 and became a contracted Victoria's Secret Angel who sported the Fantasy Bra two times (1997 and 2004).

With her modeling roots deeply embedded in the catwalk, it might be safe to assume that visitors to Modelland will be able to walk and watch daily runway shows. However, Banks explained that is not high on the team's priority list. “That’s low-hanging fruit. This is bursting the door open and redefining what a model is. It’s all about inclusiveness,” she said.

Although she has not divulged an exact opening date, Banks did confirm to WWD that her theme park will open sometime in 2019, and she wants to expand internationally.

��vlog