Education:
Rhode Island School of Design, RISD, Providence, RI,2018
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Apparel Design
Additional Education:
Central Saint Martins, CSM, London, UK 2019
Design in Latex
Brown University, Providence, RI, 2018
Egyptology and hieroglyphs
Maine College of Art, MECA, Portland, ME, 2013
Textiles Coursework- weaving, knitting, print design, felting
Otis College of Art and Design, Otis, Los Angeles, CA, 2013
Pre-college Portfolio Development, Apparel and Illustration
Apparel Design Experience:
Independent Designer, Present: Collection shown at New York Fashion Week, September 2018, and at Harvard University’s “Identities” runway show 2019. Published in Surreal, Cake, RISD XYZ, PAP, Getty Images, and Women’s Wear Daily (dates and issues available upon request) Costumed off-Broadway theater productions, music videos, and short films. Gave artist lectures in the United States and Europe. Featured on social media by Opening Ceremony, Tiny Jewish Girl, and more. Pattern-making, made-to-measure work, textile development, couture work, model casting and fittings, collaborating with stylists, performing artists, costumers, and fashion journalists.
Sivan, New York City, Present: Freelance Knitwear Consultant: Patterned and constructed men’s knitwear pieces for New York Fashion Week presentation, as well as aided in presentation logistics.
Melke, New York City, 2021-2023: Assistant Designer: Drafted patterns, sewed samples, hand-knit products, tailored items for clients, designed for upcoming collections, and assisted with model castings, popups, and photoshoots, and New York Fashion Week presentations for luxury sustainable brand.
ADPL Brands, New York City, 2021-Present: Freelance Technical/Knitwear Designer: Created tech packs in PLM and Excel, attended fit meetings, worked with Head Designer to ensure quality of womenswear knit products, communicated with overseas factories. Lines served were Gianni Bini, Antonio Melani, Alex Marie, and Preston and York.
Alix of Bohemia, New York City, 2021: Studio Assistant: Quality control checked garments, made minor repairs and prepared them for sale.
Pissy Pussy, New York City, 2021 Studio Assistant: Sewed custom orders, helped organize studio, assembled looks for drag queens and performers.
FANG NYC, New York City, 2020-2021: Knitwear/ Technical Designer: Developed tech packs and size grading parameters, conducted fittings, contributed to textile selections, and communicating with factories overseas. Assisted with photoshoots, alterations, and styling. Products have been featured in Vogue, Paper, and Vogue Italia. Clients include Gigi Goode, Aquaria, Symone, and many other queer icons.
Geoffrey Mac Inc., Brooklyn, 2020: Assistant Designer: Developed sketches, concepts, and research for upcoming collections. Assisted with organizing atelier, choosing fabrics, critiquing pieces, selecting hardware, and machine setup. Prepared mannequins for fitting individual clients. Created patterns and drapes for collection and custom looks to be made in house.
KAIMIN, New York City, 2020: Design Intern: Developed concepts, sketches, and research for upcoming collections. Organized and sourced fabrics. Communicated with factories both abroad and domestically. Assisted with market research, developing sponsorships, and collaborations. Aided with designing tech packs, creating spreadsheets, facilitating model fittings, organizing patterns, and making design decisions. Clients included Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Björk, Nicki Minaj, and many more.
Flora Miranda, Antwerp, Belgium, 2019: Design Intern: Assisted with preparing looks for Paris Couture Week, exhibitions in Belgium at Z33 studios in Hasselt and abroad. Researched methods of modular clothing design, implemented zero-waste policies, and introduced sustainability initiatives. Assisted with textile development in latex and silicone. Developed systems for cataloging and categorizing 3D scans of museum costume archives in Excel and Meshmixer. Worked as substitute fit model, assisted with model fittings, and pattern correcting. Helped design, pattern, and sew looks for performers such as t e l e p a t h, the Ballet of Difference, and more.
Snow Xue Gao, New York City, 2017: Design Intern: Created concept boards, researched for upcoming collections, created and sourced textile samples, assisted with print design, and designing props for and creating an art installation for Fashion Week presentation. Aided with patterning, factory negotiations, sample making, fittings, model castings, digital design, print design, presentations to journalists and magazine editors, and studio upkeep. Worked directly with stylists such as Rachael Wang and provided assistance photoshoots, website development, market research, and running Fashion Week presentation.
Karolina Zmarlak, 2016: Studio Intern: Assisted with design research, production, sourcing, client meetings, product management, social media content (illustrated and photographic), and innovative methods of design. Liaised with celebrity clientele and stylists. Sat in on fittings, photoshoots, patterning decisions, factory negotiations, sample sales, and more.
Women United Around the World/Adele Masengo Design, Portland, ME 2016-2019: Volunteer Sewing Instructor: Aided in instruction of industry level sewing techniques to refugee and immigrant women of the Portland, Maine area to help with job training and assimilation to American culture. Responsibilities include sewing demonstrations, machine repair, French translation, pattern cutting demonstrations, and reviews of assignments.
RISD Apparel Show, Providence, RI, 2015-2017: Dresser and Production Assistant: Assisted designers in preparing models for runway show, timing runway, made on the spot alterations, used abilities in the French language to assist with production.
Empire Persephone, Chebeague Island, ME, 2012-Present: Founder: Owner of small business creating jewelry, accessories, and stationery. Work sold at craft shows across New England including the RISD Alumni Sale, and online. Products have been featured by Folkmade.
Skills:
Design: Trained in pattern making, draping, construction, and finishes. Well versed in the production of textiles, including the process of silk production (worm to woven). Trained in traditional tailoring techniques. Able to use industrial machines, sergers, knitting machines, looms, and button-hole machines. Strong fashion illustrator, good concept creator, and creative thinker.
Digital: Versed in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite, and Web PLM. Trained in Lectra Kaledo Weave, Knit, and Print.
Languages: English-native speaker, French-fluent, Dutch-beginner, Middle Egyptian-written.
Other: Excellent memory, thorough researcher. Able to operate most saw setups, laser-cutters, and drills.
Relevant Experience:
Communications Director, JonsBones Inc./ The Bone Museum, New York City 2020-2024: Communications Director: Research into different aspects of the oddities trade, contacting museum personnel at institutions such as the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and more. Wrote blog posts, product descriptions, and legal documents. Pitched to journalists and assisted clients with order inquiries. Acted as docent for the Bone Museum.
Qualeasha Wood, 2021: Fabricator: Assisted artist with preparing art textiles with hand embroidery and beading for upcoming exhibitions at Art Basel in Miami.
Erica Sarlo & Company, New York City, 2021: NYFW Intern: Assisted with event production of Maryam Nassir Zadeh and Eckhaus Latta September runway shows, setting up and taking down event spaces and backstage areas, assuring COVID compliance, and assisting with sustainability efforts.
Event Staff, 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH 2019: Helped with security, ticket sales, apparel and merchandise sales. Worked with concert promoters, tour managers, politicians, performance artists, and musicians. Acts included Rubblebucket, Yeasayer, The Dustbowl Revival, Percy Hill, Blonde Redhead, MONO, Kirsten Gillibrand, and more.
Department Representative, RISD, Providence, RI, 2016-2018: Elected representative of the Apparel Design department in the student government of RISD two years in a row. Implemented fabric recycling program, student mentor program, negotiated with administration for changes in department policy, and advocated for students in issues of institutional bias.
Teaching Assistant and Studio Monitor, RISD Apparel Department, 2017-2018: Helped instruct students of Jeung-Hwa Park in machine knitting. Provided feedback as a critic, demos, and after-hours tutoring, while monitoring the facilities of the Apparel Department, maintaining machines, aiding with repairs, and assuring safety standards.
Fashion Revolution, Providence, RI April 2017: Helped organize and spoke on panel discussion about issues of sustainable fashion and ethical production with speakers Amy Dufault, Christelle Lachapelle, Meg Decubellis, and Rebecca van Bergen, created 12 story fabric installation displayed to the public of Providence, RI, ran student-led clothing swap to generate peer interest.
Independent Studies, 2011-2014: Conducted year-long independent studies in the areas of social justice in fashion, silk production, and millinery arts. Each of these studies provided a depth of knowledge in fashion and production history. Interviewed Carter Smith: textile designer and Stephen Jones: world renowned-milliner.
Exhibitions:
“Touched By The Equinox” Blönduós , Iceland, 2023: Exhibition of artists in residence of the Icelandic Textile Center.
Apparel Triennial Show, Providence, Rhode Island November-December 2017: Showcase of RISD Apparel student work
RISD’s Global Initiative “-Isms”Juried Exhibit, Providence, RI, January-February 2017: Pieces concerning identity were displayed in preparation for public critique by Emory Douglas, former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party
“[ ] visible” Gallery Exhibition, Archivio Emily Harvey, Venice, Italy, February 2017: Displayed work pertaining to the exploration of Venice as a destination heavily trafficked by tourists but infrequently examined more deeply. Works referenced historical context and modern interpretations of the city.
RISD’s Exhbitionists “ReAction” Invitational Exhibit, RISD Museum, Providence, RI, April 2017: Performance pieces concerning identity and discrimination presented in the Grand Salon of the RISD Museum to reclaim the space from predominantly heterosexual, white, male artists.
Retrospective Exhibit, Chebeague Island, ME, 2013: Produced personal retrospective show titled “Empire Persephone” at Chebeague Island Library. Exhibition ran for one month.