Dani
Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Dani has always chosen clothing and personal style as a means to express herself creatively. Her parents own a chain of clothing stores based in B.C., which played a significant role in Dani’s realization that it was a favored outlet of creativity. However, the business was by no means a set destiny for Dani, whose family taught her the values of hard work and having an open mind. They instilled in her an appreciation for art, music, culture, and nature, which continue to inspire her in all aspects of her designs.
Dani had no second thought in her decision to attend FIT after her acceptance and has not looked back. But after two years, desiring another outlook on apparel design and other methods of teaching it, Dani entered an intensive summer program at London’s Central Saint Martins. She learned the importance of extensive research and concept building within the design process and the fine art potential in fashion.
Dani chose to specialize in Knitwear once she realized the creative possibilities it offered, especially in terms of texture development. She believes that the most engaging creations stem from a combination of both thoughtful planning and organic openness to change.
Nasya
Originally from Denver, Colorado, this self-proclaimed New Yorker moved to the City in 2005 to pursue an education in Fashion Design at FIT. Arriving she hit the ground running, concentrating in Special Occasion and earning her Associate Degree in 2007. She is graduating with her BFA in May 2010.
Outside the classroom, Nasya hones her craft while interning at J. Mendel. Working at this luxury company provides the young designer with useful and practical knowledge for succeeding in the industry as well as being an incubator for thought provoking inspiration.
Her devotion to fashion as an art form is only eclipsed by her presence and enthusiasm in the workroom. Drawing inspiration from a multitude of sources, her design philosophy is, “…well the most personal thing that a designer carries with them, the compass that drives the ideas. To every sense, the reaction that springs it to life. For me, LIFE is my design philosophy. To live with passion, virtue, and the inherent beauty that surrounds everything that is. Adding tactile elements, expressing the world as I see its exquisiteness. With that in mind I design from and for the world around me.”
Yissel
“Only two more months to go, you guys. We can totally do this!”
Currently residing in Queens with her favorite aunt, a Fashion Institute alumni, this upbeat Brooklyn native knew she’d be graduating from FIT since she was 8 years old. It’s no surprise then that when she applied to the college, she had a leg up on the competition, having first attended the High School of Fashion Industries (whose top two floors were the very beginning of FIT). There, she had several looks featured in the senior fashion show– including some menswear pieces which earned her faculty and industry praise in the form of a NAMSB (National Association of Men’s Sportswear Buyers) Incentive Award. Yissel brings experience to the table, and hopes to repeat her success.
Having first pulled influences from her Latin background, her first model (Barbie), and the urban environment she grew up in, Yissel’s approach to design has made quite an advance over the years. She now draws inspiration from her eclectic range of music, and a certain European aesthetic adapted from her time spent studying at Italy’s renowned Politecnico di Milano. It was there she collaborated with a group of international students to design a collection for United Colors of Benetton, earning her a perfect score for the course and the honor of having the collection on display as part of a Benetton sponsored exhibit at the Trienniale Design Museum in Cadorna.
When not at school, Yissel feels right at home interning at Michael Kors, surrounded by the chic, luxurious sportswear she lives for.
Christina
Coming to NYC 4 years ago as a wide-eyed transplant from a small town in New Hampshire, Christina adapted to city life as if it was second nature. In the beginning, though not always interested in fashion, she developed a strong passion for intimate apparel during her high school years and wanted to turn said passion into a reality. Knowing that FIT was a forerunner in sending talented designers into the Fashion World, she decided to pack and up leave for the bright lights of the city.
After having completed an AAS degree for fashion design in 2007, she is now in the BFA program specializing in intimate apparel. Through her hard work and dedication to the field of lingerie, she was a recipient of the 2009 Underfashion Club scholarship and a finalist in the student design competition for the Femmy Awards Gala in 2010. Her creative talent and high standard for excellence has led to an internship at the well respected intimate apparel firm, Le Mystère, a company priding themselves on not only beautiful aesthetics, but impeccable fit.
She looks forward to a career working alongside other professionals who share her interest in full figure foundations. She believes that every woman, no matter her size, should feel confident, glamorous, and sexy in her own body. Beautifully made lingerie in larger sizes shouldn’t be so hard to find and she wishes to contribute in filling that void in the industry.
