BFA, Fashion Design, Otis College of Art and Design, 1987
Jill Higashi-Zeleznik, Chair of the Fashion Department, is the Executive Producer and Creative Director of one of the largest fashion events in Los Angeles, the “Otis Annual Scholarship and Benefit Fashion Show.”
Jill has built a robust network of industry partners including Anthropologie, Universal, Disney, Trina Turk, Monique Lhuillier, Nike as well as Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills which features Otis Fashion Design student work in their annual window displays.
Prior to her 2017 appointment as Chair, Jill served as the Assistant Chair for 19 years. Before joining Otis, Jill had a successful career in the fashion industry as a Design Director. At Otis, Jill has applied her industry experience of working with design and merchandizing teams to develop students in a program hinged on relevance and a vision for sustainability. Furthermore, Jill has developed a strong internship and job placement program for the department that results in employment within 3 months of graduation as Assistant Fashion Designers for
approximately 86% of each graduating class, many of which receive job offers prior to graduation. As a result, Jill has led the program to achieve top rankings across the nation.
Otis Teacher of the Year Award, 2011
Freelance designer for Platium, Bugle Boy, and Shayan
Design Director for Carole Little, Motherhood, Saint Germain
Designer for Theodore Design Studio and Bronx Clothier's/Compagnie BX