Message from the Faculty Directors: Apparel Construction for Fashion Design

Welcome to Marist University and the Summer Pre-College Fashion Design – Apparel Construction course for high school students.  If you are interested in the exciting and dynamic world of fashion design, then this program is an excellent opportunity for you learn more about fashion design while earning three college credits. As Marist University Fashion Design faculty, we guide students through the processes of creating a garment using draping techniques and how to explore designing apparel.  Over the two-week course, students will learn various techniques of garment construction including how to operate an industrial sewing machine and other technology in our state-of-the-art Steel Plant Studios.  

Program Director – Stephanie Conover

Stephanie Conover, Senior Professional Lecturer of Fashion, is the Summer Pre-College Director of Fashion Merchandising and Design. Ms. Conover teaches the following courses in the Fashion Department at Marist: Fashion in Culture and Commerce, Retail Principles and Practices, Digital Merchandising and Marketing, Fashion Social Media, and Fashion Merchandising Senior Capstone.  She also teaches a First Year Seminar on the synergies between fashion and rock & roll and Digital Marketing for Fashion in the Integrated Marketing Communications Masters Program. Ms. Conover serves as the faculty advisor for the Marist Fashion social media accounts and Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society. With over 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Stephanie has worked for Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Tory Burch, and Derek Lam. This background has provided her with a vast knowledge of retail buying, planning, and merchandising from both the perspectives of a department store and vertical retailer.  She also has experience in launching and managing an e-commerce business, including digital marketing and social media, as well as overseeing all aspects of brick-and-mortar retail boutiques, including visual merchandising, operations, staffing, and customer service. She holds a MBA from Fordham University and a BS in Family and Consumer Sciences from Western Illinois University. Ms. Conover is excited for the Summer Pre-College program and looks forward to working with the Fashion Department team to show the students the amazing experience the Marist Fashion Department offers.

Session I Instructor – Patrick Boylan

Patrick Boylan, Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design, is the instructor of Fashion Design – Apparel Construction. Mr. Boylan teaches the following design courses in the Fashion Department at Marist:  CLO 3D Design, Apparel Development II and III, Fashion Design Capstone Portfolio Development and Fashion Design Capstone Collection Development.  He also teaches a First Year Seminar on the intersection of faith and fashion.  Prior to Marist, Mr. Boylan taught at other fashion schools including FIT and Parsons.  Mr. Boylan is also the founder and designer of Grace Liturgical Vestments. He holds a MPS in Global Fashion Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a BFA in Design Education from SUNY Empire State.