She is the founder and creative director of her contemporary brand, Nicole Benefield Portfolio. Benefield is an interim member of the CFDA and has been featured in NYFW events with the Black in Fashion Council and Harlem's Fashion Row. Before the launch of her brand, she held leadership roles at specialty retail brands, including Loft, Ann Taylor, Lou & Gray, and Banana Republic.
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What did you find unique about this year's class?
A majority of my students brought a conscious level of sustainability and developing their ideas tied to a cause. Their attention to detail added a unique level of authenticity to their work.
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Do you have any advice for the graduating class?
Keep up the momentum, knowing you are the next changemakers in the fashion industry.

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What is your favorite part about being a professor?
Seeing a student create joyfully while problem solving to expressing their full level of creativity.