Fashion Institute of Technology, Fashion Design Faculty

This is an manufacture driven program that prepares students to work as creative professionals in the fashion manufacture. From concept to production, students learn the process, skills and language of style design and engineering science, combining business concern and artistic skills to develop an private portfolio that expresses a solid understanding of the mode industry.

• Learn the business and art of fashion
• Develop competitive skills and techniques for the mode industry
• Introduce, explore and nurture your inventiveness
• Prepare for a dynamic career in way

Courses are led by renowned faculty members who bring decades of real globe experience into the classroom. MFI's instructors are artists, designers and business professionals who have worked with some of the nigh notable names in fashion including Calvin Klein, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, Mara Hoffman, Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen.

ASANYAH DAVIDSON

Chairperson

I love design and the style a designer'due south mind works. I spent several years in the industry in New York and subsequently completing my graduate degree in London, I returned to the States and worked at Macy'due south Florida Partition equally an assistant buyer. During that time I also started education at Miami International University of Art & Design and Broward Community Higher while working on my own mini collections. I virtually recently took my love of education and knowledge of fashion to West Africa where I taught at schools in Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana. That year on the Continent allowed me to learn extensively about native techniques and the e'er popular Ankara fabrics. I love mentoring and sharing my passion for pattern with students. My areas of involvement are pedagogy, global studies, design and way as communication.

M.A. Pattern Studies from Central Saint Martins London, England,
B.S. International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries from F.I.T.,
Studied abroad in Polimoda, Florence, Italian republic,
A.A.S Fashion Design from F.I.T.,
Design and Compages Senior High

Mia Causevic

MFI Advisor

Born in Republic of croatia, raised in Italy where I've played professional volleyball for more than than 10 years. Driven by passion and curiosity, I decided to put aside my volleyball career and complete my BA in Fashion Design and Communication at NABA. After graduating I had the opportunity to piece of work for NABA. For years, I oversaw the contests and special projects with companies, and events for the NABA Fashion programs. During those years I had the chance to work on numerous collaborations with some of the most influential Italian brands, artists, and designers such as Romeo Gigli, Benedetta Barzini, Angela Missoni, Shingo Sato, Max Mara, Etro, Pandora and many more. I eventually moved with my family to California where I worked in Retail Management every bit a Clothing Heir-apparent for Men'southward Wearhouse in the Suits and Sport Coats division.

In 2019 we moved to Miami, and shortly after joined the MFI Squad. I beloved working with creatives, and I am passionate about helping them pursue their dreams, reach goals, and develop into successful designers and merchants.

BA Fashion Pattern and Communication from NABA, New Academy of Fine Arts, Milan, Italy.

Lauren baccus

MFI Lab Managing director

I am a material artist and researcher whose work centers around the construction of Caribbean identity through fabric and costume. I am strongly influenced past masquerade and the Caribbean region'southward legacy of resistance and storytelling through cloth and clothing. My most contempo projection, Salt and Aloes, is an archive of Caribbean area textile culture over the past century. I enjoy being a catalyst to creativity and providing a safe functional infinite for our students.

**Masters in Textiles and Cloth Culture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln,

DAYMARIS ALVAREZ

Faculty

After graduating from F.I.U. I was hired as the Visual Merchandising Manager for Harding Brothers Retail, a duty-complimentary visitor who provides merchandise for Carnival Cruise shops. I spent months traveling on the ships and visiting islands such equally Jamaica, Curacao, and Aruba. During my time with Funfair Cruise Line, I created numerous windows displays, shop layouts, and marketing signage. Although the experience was life-irresolute I eventually returned to Miami to pursue a Masters.

I'one thousand still an avid globe traveler, and I have visited many countries including Thailand, Bali, French republic and India. I'1000 passionate about didactics and helping our MFI students develop into successful merchants.

ACUE Certified Instructor

MBA International Business organization at Florida International University
B.A. in Way Merchandising at Miami International University of Fine art and Blueprint

PRISCA MILLIANCE

Kinesthesia

Afterward receiving a BA in Journalism from Georgetown University in 2005, I revisited my childhood love for fine art and way when I enrolled in a costume design grade at Boston University. When my sewing instructor recommended I enroll in the Chief's of Science programme at Drexel University, I considered it to be a call from the universe to pursue my lifelong passion. Still, I took the year earlier starting my graduate caste to travel across the U.s. equally a costume attendant for the Ringling Bros Circus. I have worked every bit a technical designer for gimmicky brands including Mara Hoffman, Tracy Reese and Vanilla Beach.

I have a strong affinity for the utilise of engineering in creating fashion including Digital Analogy forth with Patternmaking in CAD. Nevertheless, the love of art and fashion history is what drew me to this profession. My goal is to share that curiosity and interest in enquiry with the MFI community.

ACUE Certified Teacher

Main's of Science in Way Design at Drexel University
BA in Journalism from Georgetown University

Alberto Rovelo

Offshoot Kinesthesia

I have been working on developing my private label specialized in menswear and womenswear. My work is bespoke and expands to red carpets, stage performances, ballet, prom and wedding dresses. With a scientific discipline background and more than 15 years of experience I own very strong technical skills, my patterns are precise, with very accurate proportions and fit. My goal is to train students' imagination and advanced understanding in the application of artistic and interpretative skills required to translate designers' drawings into three dimensions.

Graduate of Central Saint Martin's Innovative Pattern Making Course

Desirae Allen

Adjunct Faculty

Following the completion of my Thou.B.A studies, I gained feel equally a Freelance Fashion Colorist, Fashion Design, and Production Assistant for companies such equally Liz Claiborne Inc., DKNY Jeans International, and Warnaco/Calvin Klein Jeans. Desirae extended her time abroad and traveled to countries such as Nihon and South Africa; in addition, interning at Diane Von Furstenberg Studio in London equally a Wholesale Sales Assistant.

G.B.A studies in International Business concern Administration in London, England.
B.A. in Fashion Design/Merchandising from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga.

Herion Park

Offshoot Faculty

I'k a visual creative person, instructor, and style design entrepreneur. I encourage my students to transcend across mode, integrating correlative artistic disciplines in social club to present their own distinct convictions.

I trained under the mentorship of artist Nick Cave, who's vision asserts the vital interrelationship between the costumes we vesture and the thorny cultural world nosotros all navigate. I also believe that exterior of the theatrical ephemera, fashion has the potential to transmute into a critical linguistic communication that communicates a bulletin to and from our time, a kinetic art-form with many layers of meaning and relevance to our sociology.

I desire my design students to go empowered to tell profound stories through their work, whether they be personal, or comprehensive of the challenges encountering u.s. as a global citizenry. Each student has a unique story and gift for humanity. My goal is to encourage their dreams and aid them develop all the skills necessary to brand them into thriving capable professionals.

MDes, Fashion, Body and Garment School of the Art Constitute of Chicago
B.F.A, Style Design, School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

jeanie lisenby

Offshoot Faculty

I began my career in the wearing apparel industry during the 1980's and I have held diverse positions including sales, merchandising, design, production development, make management, and sourcing. My experience spans from the retailing selling flooring to the manufacturing facility, and I have worked in Texas, New York and Florida in the fashion industry. My early fashion design piece of work has been featured in major section and chain stores in the United States under diverse make names. I was also involved in import/export activities through my work in international materials sourcing and creating technical packages for overseas garment production. I am currently at Miami-Dade County'southward Office of Moving-picture show & Amusement where I coordinate resources for movie production companies, issue film/photo permits, and provide logistics assistance and production data to the manner, moving-picture show and entertainment industries. I also ain an ecommerce design company specializing in art, apparel and gifts. My favorite thing about teaching is building a positive relationship with students and helping them obtain their dream in life.

M.B.A. in International Business from the University of Miami
B.S. in Retail Merchandise Management from Lamar University, Texas State Academy System
A.A.S. in Fashion Pattern from the Mode Establish of Technology New York

Jill Odermann

Adjunct Faculty

I have enjoyed 3 decades working in the business of apparel design and product. I attended design schoolhouse in Chicago later on which, my kickoff and second jobs were as dancewear designer and pattern maker. Years afterward I moved to a large national section store concatenation as Technical Designer for Asian product across multiple markets. Eddie Bauer Int'fifty Americas offered me a Technical Design management position here in Miami working directly with the factories in Southward Africa and the Caribbean in private make.

Post Corporate, I have taught for twelve years at many local institutions receiving training for education at the high schoolhouse and academy levels. I'yard grateful to now be able to mentor and share with my students here at MFI.

ACUE Certified Instructor

B.A. from Ray College of Art, Chicago and the University of Wisconsin

Joanne DeMartini

Adjunct Faculty

I accept over 25 years of feel in the fashion industry in diverse positions. I started my career in the Intimate Wearing apparel department of Lord & Taylor, and and then went on to become a buyer for Saks Fifth Ave and a Divisional Merchandise Manager for Designer, Dresses and Coats and Suits at the late Bonwit Teller. I changed to the manufacturing side and became President of R & K Originals, a moderate dress company. Later on being in my own fashion business concern twice, I joined The Jump Design Grouping where I was President of the Marina brand and also V.P. of International Sales for all the Jump brands. I became the On-Air personality for Jump'south "Tiana B" brand for QVC in the U.K., Italian republic, and Germany, for TVSN in Australia, and even CNR Mall (a QVC partner) in China. Bound really shipped U.S. made dress TO Prc!

Along with teaching in New York at F.I.T. and L.I.M and now Miami Way Plant, I go along to be the On-Air guest for Tiana B in Canada at The Shopping Channel.

Chiliad.A. Philosophy and the Arts, The New School
B.A. Education/Art History, Queens Higher

Julian Asion

Adjunct Faculty

I graduated from Miami Dade College with a degree in Style Design in 1972. I then worked in the manufacture here in Miami for several years before moving to New York to further develop my craft. I worked as the premier(main) mans for some of the most important names in America'south Fashion Industry: Zac Posen Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez, Isabel Toledo and Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Collection among others. I'm now retired and honey sharing my arts and crafts, learned over 45 years.

A.S. in Way Pattern Miami Dade College. Premier Mans with 45 years of Experience

Laura LaFrance

Adjunct Faculty

I was built-in in a household of seamstresses, designers, and tailors. While I worked for almost eight years in the medical field as a nurse, I was completing my Bachelor of Scientific discipline in Fashion Blueprint and Apparel. From then on, I worked in various sectors as an assistant designer, technical designer, artistic director banana and textile designer.

Later some time, I enrolled at the Miami University of Arts and Design for a main's in Design Media and Art Direction, then that I could understand the operational side of the manufacture that I love and then much. I as well took an opportunity to travel internationally working for CINTAS for two year and returning to complete my masters in 2021.

I own a print/digital publication phone call House of Lafrance Magazine LLC, and a individual wear label Laura Lafrance LLC, and I piece of work full fourth dimension as a Global Account Associate Designer for Cintas, the aforementioned company I used to travel with. I hope to bring all the knowledge that I've gained both from my personal experiences in the industry and from my academic studies, to help the students navigate their careers in the fashion Industry.

Thousand.B.A. Design Media and Art Management, Miami International University of Arts and Designs
B.Southward. Fashion Design and Apparel, The Art Establish of F Lauderdale

Leonardo De Armas

Adjunct Kinesthesia

I started my career equally a student at Parsons School of Design, in New York City, I had the opportunity to learn the disciplines of design, clothing construction and illustration from some of the virtually legendary names in the American fashion industry. Correct after graduation, I opened my design studio, creating luxury ready to wear lines and exclusive bridal and evening gowns for a demanding global clientele, while also devoting fourth dimension to a life-long passion; educational activity and sharing my expertise in different educational institutions and art foundations throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean area.

I strongly believe that a truly successful professor is a communicator who is capable of inspiring and motivating aspiring designers past leaving on them an indelible mark of honest work ethics and values, while nurturing their abilities and talents.

ACUE Certified Instructor

B.F.A. Fashion Design, Parsons School of Blueprint
Gilt Thimble Laurels for Blueprint Excellence.

Matilda KaLAveshi

Offshoot Faculty

My introduction to the international fashion industry started at an early age in Europe. After transitioning into the buying world when I joined Macys Corporate Inc, I completely fell in dearest with retail and the business organization side of the style globe. For the past 17 years, I take worked for numerous retailers in the southeast region and accept held different positions such equally fashion heir-apparent, planner, senior heir-apparent, fashion manager, and consultant. I currently run my own retail consulting bazaar where I assist brands and retailers build and grow profitable businesses.

At a local level, I am the Downtown NEWS Business Correspondent. I focus on retail news, consumer trends, eastward-commerce, emerging brands, new retail developments, and more than. My ultimate goal is to prepare my students to navigate the multi-faceted world of retail by bridging the gap betwixt manner and business.

Thousand.B.A. International Business Florida International University
Certificate in Corporate Strategies for Europe EDHEC Business Schoolhouse Lille & Overnice France
B.A. International Business concern and Marketing Florida International Academy

Alexis Brouwer Insausti

Offshoot Kinesthesia

Later graduating from FSU I was hired by JC Penney equally a Product Development Specialist for their private label handbag sectionalisation. While at Penney's I had the privilege of launching two brands: City Streets, and Decree. In 2010 I moved to Barcelona to purse a Primary's in Mode Marketing at IED while working at ASE Retail Consulting and helping emerging Spanish designers expand internationally. Eventually I moved to NYC where I continued a career in product development for apparel and accessories working in firm with Nine Westward, and on the manufacturing side with Walmart, Kmart, and JC Penney'southward.

During this time I was also working on developing a Fashion Business plan for N W School of Pattern in South Africa. I spent many months launching the new program in Klerksdorp, South Africa earlier returning to NYC. I connected to act as remote section head for several years post-obit the program launch. In 2016 I returned to my home town Miami, FL to refocus my energy on fashion students and emerging brands. Watching students grow and succeed has become the highlight of my career.

Thou.B.A. Concern Management, Universidad International De Valencia
K.S. Marketing and Communication for Mode, Instituto Europeo Di Design
B.S. Merchandising and Textiles, Florida Land University ​

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