2014 Judges

judge_katebettsKate Betts

Kate Betts is the author of Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style. Her forthcoming memoir chronicles her five years in Paris working as the bureau chief for Women’s Wear Daily in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She is a contributing editor at Travel + Leisure magazine and ELLE Décor. Previously, Betts was the editor of Time Style & Design, editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, and fashion news director of Vogue. Betts was recently named one of the top ten fashion editors by Forbes magazine. She has appeared on network and cable television regularly since 1993, including Today, The View, and the Charlie Rose Show. She is a frequent contributor to NPR’s Marketplace and has done regular reporting for CNN.

judge_bryanboyBryan Boy

Filipino fashion blogger Bryan Grey-Yambao, more popularly known as Bryanboy, began his eponymous blog in 2004. In March 2010, Bryan was named one of the most influential bloggers in Vogue magazine’s annual “Power” issue. Fashion designer Marc Jacobs named a bag after him, and he recently joined the panel of judges on America’s Next Top Model. Known for his unique personal style and witty commentary, Grey-Yambao has created a strong online presence that has resulted in digital initiatives with brands like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, H&M, Sunglass Hut, Diet Coke, and Nokia.

judge_alanakelenAlana Kelen

Fashion stylist and FIT alumna Alana Kelen uses her keen sense of clothing and accessories, along with a penchant for detail, to create unique, appropriate, and trend-setting images for television personalities and celebrities. Her forte is working with real people in real situations, helping to make them feel comfortable in the clothes they are wearing while looking amazing on air, in print, and in real life.

After graduating from FIT, Kelen worked at VH1 as a fashion stylist. Today, she remains with the company as senior stylist of MTV Networks, while also consulting with ABC, NBC, Bravo, InStyle, Weight Watchers magazine, and Nautica, along with many private clients and advertising agencies.

judge_colleensherinColleen Sherin

As senior fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue, Colleen Sherin travels the globe in search of trends, inspiration, and up-and-coming designers. Sherin covers the women’s ready-to-wear collections in New York, London, Milan, and Paris and sets the tone for the trends the store will represent each season. She works closely with her merchants on fashion direction, direct mail catalogue imagery, and national ad campaigns.

Sherin has also explored the emerging fashion markets of São Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; and Lisbon, Portugal. As a champion of young designer talent, Sherin has discovered numerous collections for Saks Fifth Avenue.

judge_LillianaVazquezLilliana Vazquez

Lilliana Vazquez is the founder and creative force behind CheapChicas.com, a blog that provides a daily source of guidance and inspiration for women who want to dress their best, on a budget. This past November, Vazquez took her blog to the bookshelves with her first book, The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style: Secrets to Shopping Cheap and Looking Chic. She is a contributor to Today, Access Hollywood, E! News, and The Rachael Ray Show.

judge_BeagyZielinskiBeagy Zielinski

Raised in Europe, fashion stylist Beagy Zielinski was exposed to a variety of styles and cultures that she incorporates in her work. She studied textile/fashion design and merchandising in New York and began her career as a fashion merchandiser, traveling around the world to learn more about production and fabrics. Still on a journey to further develop her craft, she has worked in many other areas of the fashion industry, such as design and product development. In 2007, she founded L’Armoire Du Stylist, a clothing rental atelier for stylists. Recently, she appeared on Glamour magazine’s web series “Dress to Kill,” and her work can be seen internationally in magazines like Elle, Cosmopolitan, L’Officiel, and Harper’s Bazaar.


Judge for the Siempre Mujer Best Use of Color Award

María Cristina Marrero

María Cristina Marrero

María Cristina Marrero is the editor-in-chief of Siempre Mujer, a Spanish-language women’s lifestyle magazine in the U.S. that reaches 1.7 million readers and is published by Meredith. Marrero is a nationally recognized lifestyle expert who is frequently quoted in Hispanic media. She has appeared on local and national television including Despierta América, Nuestra Belleza Latina (Univision), and The Today Show (NBC). She is a regular contributor on CNN en Español’s Showbiz as its New York correspondent. Under her leadership, Siempre Mujer was recognized with a spot on the Adweek 2011 Hot List.

FIT, State University of New York

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