Fashion Design Mentors 2019-2020

Designs by (from left to right): Sokhom Chea, Viri Ramirez, Esmeralda Quiroz, and Elias Childress.

An exclusive premium denim brand, AG Jeans is a pioneer in the use of eco-conscious fibers and clean-water technologies. Sandy Oh (Otis ’05), a Senior Designer at AG Jeans, reading the design direction for the Junior class, at the company headquarters.

The Junior class inside Ag Jeans’ design room, receiving direction from Sandy Oh (Otis ’05). Students are challenged to create a uniform-inspired sportswear collection by recycling premium denim men’s jeans with various finishes.

Student, Christopher Sun, greeting Sandy Oh (Otis ’05), Senior Designer at AG Jeans.

Illustration displayed by student, Isabella Lopez.

Seam details of a denim-sewing sample made by students.

Illustration display by the student, Phuong Nguyen.

Students, Viridiana Ramirez (left photo) and Johnny Wang (center photo) receiving feedback from Sandy Oh (Otis ’05) on their first fitting.

Phuong Nguyen, watching her garment being fitted by Sandy Oh (Otis ’05) and William Wang (Otis ’18).

Isabella Lopez, receiving accolades from Sandy Oh (Otis ’05) and Jill Zeleznik, Chair of Fashion Design, for her outstanding work.

William Wang (Otis ’18) and Sandy Oh (Otis ’05) critiquing Lea Na’s design, while students watch and learn from the mentors’ professional expertise.

An AG Jeans label, recycled on the outside of a jacket.

Elemmar Valle, watching as her dress is pinned by Sandy Oh (Otis ’05) for alterations.

Student, Elias Childress, learns how to approach the challenges of fitting a strapless denim top. Due to the COVID-19 campus closure, the second fitting was postponed until August 2020, when the campus is allowed to re-open.

The Junior class, with AG Jeans designers at the company’s Headquarters.

Designs by (from left to right): Genesis Aguayo, Anna Paradiso, Caleb Stern, Kaun-Jung Chen, Lea Na, Phuong Nguyen and two designs by Isabella Lopez.

Designs by (left to right): Elemmar Valle, Tania Ji, and Genesis Aguayo. 

Student designs by Sokhom Chea and Anna Paradiso.

Student designs by Phuong Nguyen and Isabella Lopez.

Student menswear designs by Jonny Wang and Caleb Stern.

Student menswear designs by Isabella Lopez and Genesis Aguayo.

AG Jeans recognized Lea Na's design as the award winner of the mentor project.

The Junior 2019 class was given a direction "Spirit Within," inspired by Adinkra symobls from West Africa, incorporating macrame techniques. 

BCBG, one of Manhattan Beachwear's licensed brands produces contemporary swimwear with classic cuts and bold prints.

Junior students receiving creative Direction from Doreen Brennan, VP of Design and Merchandising from BCBG women's swimwear.

Doreen Brennan directs the Junior class to create a swimwear collection inspired by Adinkra symbols of West Africa for bold and diverse women. 

Students present their final designs for feedback.

Instructors Aaron Paule (left) and Paul Keng (right) reviewing the student's illustrations after their presentation.

An illustration by Soline Gauthier.

Student, Soline Gauthier, making corrections on the proportions of her swimsuit outfit.

Student Lea Na, receiving feedback from mentor Doreen Brennan.

Student Lea Na, presenting her illustration during a fitting, making sure that her finished garment looks like her sketch.

Outfit designed by Leah Na, worn by a model during a final fitting.

Julia Choi, receiving invaluable feedback from mentor Doreen Brennan on how to improve her design.

Student, Viridiana Ramirez, marking necessary changes to her design.

Student, Athey Yu, describing her process to mentor Doreen Brennan.

Swimwear ensemble created by student designer Soline Gauthier.

Swimwear created by student designers Lehan Zhang and Emily Lewis.

Gold macrame ensemble designed by Isabella Lopez.

Printed swimsuit designed by Mia Xinru Yang.

Black macrame swimsuits designed by Julia Choi and Lea Na.

Swimsuits designed by (from left to right): First two designs by Athey Yu, Jingying Shi, Viri Ramirez, Jingying Shi, Isabella Lopez, and Lea Na. 

BCBG/Manhatten Beachwear awarded Julia Choi for her outstanding work creating a black fringed cape and a red macrame/fringed bikini ensembles.

Michelle Watson created the high-end technical activewear line in 2010. Based in Toronto, Canada, all meetings were held remotely via Zoom. Students were directed to design a collection for the Olympics’ opening ceremonies, inspired by a flag of their choice.

Students watch a slide show of the MICHI direction before starting the research process for the project.

Student, Rei Rego, exchanging ideas during a remote Zoom call with Michelle Watson, Founder of MICHI.

Phuong Nguyen, and department Chair Jill Zeleznik, presenting illustrations she created for MICHI after a seven-week design development process.

Michelle Watson, Founder of MICHI, shows her team the sketch she selected for student, Sokhom Chea.

Phuong Nguyen’s first draft of her garment is fitted on model, with Michelle Watson (on screen in the background), Founder of MICHI, watching the fitting remotely via Zoom.

Caleb Stern, marking necessary changes on his menswear outfit designed for the Olympics’ Sailing team, with the help of his Studio instructor, Alisa Otten, and Department Chair, Jill Zeleznik.

Student, Rachel Xu, presents her women’s Cycling outfit for a second fitting, cut in the final fabrics and ready to be completed for the Scholarship Benefit Fashion Show.

Student, Johnny Wang, presenting his menswear design for the Boxing team of the Olympics’ themed direction, integrating an original ‘World Map’ print.

Design by Emmette De Zubiria.

Rei Rego, showing her finalized design, verifying that the look and proportions of her original sketch were captured.

Group shot of Juniors on the MICHI team. Special thanks to Mr. Kirk Hyde, Otis College Trustee, for his generous contribution toward the “World Map” printed fabric, donated for this project.

Student designs created by Amber Sheng and Emmette De Zubiria.

Boxing uniform created by Johnny Wang, and tennis attire designed by Rei Rego.

Sailing ensemble designed by Caleb Stern, and cycling set created by Tania Ji.

The Michi award was giving to Rachel Xu for her winning cycling design.

Junior students were invited to an exclusive trip to the Universal Pictures lot to watch Back to the Future and receive creative Direction for a collaborative mentor project inspired by the iconic film.

Mood Board created by student, Soline Gauthier.

Design illustrations created by student, Rei Rego, for Sketch Selection.

Marisol Bradford (Alumn 1993), VP of Design and Development at Universal, reviewing final projects during a Sketch Selection.

Student, Junxin "June" Pang, showing her outfit during a first fitting.

Student, Emmett De Zubiria, showing her menswear outfit.

Emmett De Zubiria, Marisol Bradford, and Alissa Otten (Studio faculty).

Due to the COVID-19 campus closure, the second fitting was postponed until August 2020, when the campus is allowed to re-open.

Marisol Gerona-Bradford

Student design work by Julia Choi & Natalie Aivazian.

Student design work by Amber Sheng & Athey Yu.

Student design work by Soline Gauthier.

Student design work by Rachel Xu & Rei Rego.

Student design work by Natalie Aivazian & Athey Yu.

Student designer, Athey Yu.

Student design work by Amber Sheng.

Universal awarded Junxin "Jun" Pang as their winner.

Founded in 2008 by Andrea Lieberman, A.L.C. is known for their bold prints, versatile dresses and modern tailoring. Under the direction of Henriette Ernst, Design Consultant and EVP of Design & Collection, and Amy Adams, Senior Designer, students are guided to start a women’s sportswear collection inspired by abstract botanicals with a streetwear culture for the gender-fluid customer.

A.L.C. Mentors announce a direction to the senior class to start the research process for their collections.

The work of Senior student, Bai Bai, ready for sketch selection after seven weeks of design and fabric development.

Rachel Kim presents her body of work to mentors, Henriette Ernst and Amy Adams, who select one design that fulfills the given criteria best, and which she will start making in Studio class.

Henriette Ernst and Amy Adams discuss what fabric treatments are most appropriate for Jessica Medina’s menswear outfit.

Mentor, Amy Adams, shares her expertise in modern tailoring with Senior design student. Roman Gonzales-Pena, under the careful watch of his Studio professor, Svetlana Mollov (on left).

Illustration by Rina Li. 

Close up detail of a draped top designed by Rina Li, cut in the final fabric.

Rachel Kim, observes her design on the fit-model.

Final changes are marked, ready to be altered in Studio class.

Hannah Hong, watches carefully as mentor, Henriette Ernst, checks her outfit.

From left to right: Roman Gonzales-Pena, Cindy Li, Daisy Ruiz, Bai Bai Cao, Rachel Kim, Lemon Wu, Henriette Ernst, Amy Adams, Autumn Wu, Hannah Hong, Verona Tu, Hayley Leibl, Wendy Kuo, Jessica Medina, Rina Li, and Deborah Kaufeldt-Boardman.

Final designs by Hayley Leibl and Cindy Li.

Final womenswear designs by Lemon Wu and Verona Tu.

Ensembles designed by Deborah Kaufeldt-Boardman and Autumn Wu.

A.L.C. awarded Hannah Hong for best design of the mentor project.

David Meister, a Los Angeles based women’s dress designer mentors the Senior class on an avant-garde eveningwear collection using exclusively red fabrics and lace. This project was sponsored by Solstiss USA. We thank Francois Damide, President of Solstiss Inc. who generously donated the exquisite imported lace used by all students. 

Students listen carefully to David Meister’s direction before starting the design and development process.

David Meister critiques Jiaqi Liu’s sketches and fabric treatments.

David Meister reviews Verona Tu’s body of work before selecting one of her designs to produce in 3D form.

Lemon Wu (foreground) watches intently as her mentor, David Meister, examines the drape she created on a small-scale dress form.

Deborah Kaufeldt-Boardman (right) inspects the fit of her menswear outfit with David Meister and her Studio professor, Donna Lobato (left).

David Meister checks the fit of Rachel Kim’s lace dress to mark all necessary changes for her next fitting.

Fabric embellishments are added to Verona Tu’s pleated dress.

Lemon Wu listens to mentor, David Meister’s advice on her organza dress.

Senior Design student, Elaine Ko (far right) observes how to apply lace to the menswear outfit she created.

Jiaqi Liu (center) with her mentor, David Meister. 

Sponsored by Solstiss USA.

David Meister team along with Francois Damide, President Solstiss Lace USA.

Due to the COVID-19 school closure and physical distancing measures, David Meister did a 2nd fitting without models during summer 2020.

Eveningwear designed and produced by Lemon Wu and Rachel Kim.

Lace dress and coverup designed by Vivian Fung.

Ruffled lace dress designed and made by Wendy Kuo. 

Assymetrical strapless dress designed by Jessica Medina.

Dresses created by student designers Jiaqi Liu and Yiting Jiang.

Strapless lace dress designed by Rina Li; assymetrical belted dress designed by Cindy Li.

Menswear ensembles designed by Elaine Ko and Deborah Kaufeldt-Boardman.

Verona Tu is recognized for her award winning design for David Meister.

Ruth E. Carter is an American Academy Award-winning costume designer, most notably known for her work on Steven Spielberg’s historical drama film Amistad (1997), and the Marvel superhero film Black Panther (2018).

The Senior class receives direction remotely via Zoom call from the Academy Award-winning costume designer to create a collection of original contemporary eveningwear inspired by five African tribes and infused with Afrofuture elements.

Students exchange ideas remotely about the design brief with Ruth Carter, using Zoom technology.

Ruth Carter shares a PowerPoint presentation with the Senior class.

After a seven-week design development period, Senior students meet their mentor in person to present their finalized sketches.

Ruth Carter congratulating Hayley Leibl on her excellent work.

Senior, Roman Gonzales-Pena (center), presents the concept board he developed, inspired by the Maasai tribe.

Ruth Carter offers feedback on Nicole Martin's work.

Lynn Kim’s presentation of her final design sketches, fabric boards, and drapes.

Roman Gonzales-Pena fits his Maasai-inspired dress on a model for the first time.

Textile sample created by Hayley Leibl.

Hayley Leibl’s first design prototype is fitted on a model.

Hayley Leibl and Ruth Carter.

Ruth Carter makes adjustments on C.C. Park dress.

From left to right: Jill Zeleznik, Chair of Fashion Design, Bai Bai Cao, Daisy Ruiz, Lynn Kim, Ruth Carter, C.C. Park, Hannah Hong, Roman Gonzales-Pena, Hayley Leibl, Autumn Wu, Esther Wu, Elissa Perrin and Nicole Martin (in the background).

Due to the COVID-19 campus closure, the second fitting was postponed until August 2020, when Ruth Carter reviewed students' designs on mannequins to respect physical distancing measures.

Embelished long mesh dress created by student-designer C.C. Park; metallic leather doily dress created by Elissa Perrin.

Ruffled costume created by Autumn Wu.

Graphic creation by student-designer Daisy Deng.

Front and back views of mirrored lace ensemble by Nicole Martin.

Nicole Martin received the Ruth Carter award for her outstanding work on her two designs.

The Chinese-born fashion designer established her women’s contemporary sportswear brand in 2012.

Vivienne Hu directed the Senior class to create a modern RTW collection for men and women inspired by a fusion of diverse and multi-cultural patterns and prints.

Vivienne Hu critiques Nicole Martin’s collection of sketches and fabric developments.

Students create fabric boards with combinations of texture-rich solids and eclectic patterns ranging from romantic florals to bold motifs.

Esther Wu helps during a fitting.

Students present 3D samples of their designs to the mentor, approximately three weeks after Sketch Selection.

Vivienne Hu shows Lynn Kim (center) fitting techniques, under the guidance of her Studio professor, Svetlana Mollov (left).

Yiting Jiang’s jacket and dress, is recreated in the final fabrics, and fitted a second time on model, guided by Jill Zeleznik, Department Chair, and Studio professor, Donna Lobato (right).

Student, Yiting Jiang.

Menswear outfit designed by Yiming Zhang (left), and dress designed by C.C. Park (right) are fitted on models.

A patchwork of prints created by Elissa Perrin.

Pantsuit outfit designed by Vivian Fung.

From left to right: Yeji Jun, Elaine Ko, Yiming Zhang, Elissa Perrin, Yiting Jiang, Vivienne Hu, Jiaqi Liu, Esther Wu, Nicole Martin, C.C. Park, Lynn Kim and Vivian Fung.

Student designs created by (from left to right): Yiting Jiang, Vivian Fung, Elaine Ko, and Ester Wu.

Student designs created by (from left to right): Nicole Martin, Yiming Zhang (menswear), C.C. Park, and Elissa Perrin.

C.C. Park's pleated ruffle dress.

Student designs created by (from left to right): Elaine Ko, Esther Wu, Vivian Fung, Yiting Jiang, and Yeji Jun.

Vivinne Hu recognized Vivian Fung for her award winning pantsuit ensemble.