After graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2007, Francesca Liberatore’s career immediately took off. She began working for a few of the world’s most renowned design houses, including Victor & Rolf — Amsterdam, Jean Paul Gaultier — Paris and Brioni woman. In 2009, Liberatore released her self-named label, which won her Italy’s famed Next Generation competition. Leading the brand as Creative Director, her work became an instant hit. She has shown her designs around the world in some of the greatest cities and participated in projects including Moulin Rouge Paris, Saga Furs, Swarovski and Nafa. In 2014, she was awarded the prestigious DHL Exported Award, which allowed her to permanently show her collections at New York Fashion Week. Liberatore decided to share her expertise and advice by becoming a senior lecturer in a few of the top fashion and design programs in the world, including Marist College, sharing her passion with the next generation of fashion professionals.
Miller first graduated from Western Washington University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art, in 1994. In 2000, he went back to school to attend The Fashion Institute of Technology and earned his Associate’s Degree in Fashion Design. Immediately following Miller’s graduation in 2001, he began his work as a designer at G-III Group, designing women’s outer collections. He moved on to become The Men’s Design Director at Cole Haan. During his time with the company, Miller was at the forefront of the design, conceptualization and development of the men’s outerwear and sweater collection. After five years, Scott Miller resigned from Cole Haan and began his time with Perry Ellis Intl. as the Vice President of Design, where he still works today.
Lisa Kulson began her career in the fashion industry after graduation from Southern Methodist University and later attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, California. Shortly after receiving her degrees, Kulson accepted a job as a Design Director at Cygne Design, in 1994. After two years, she resigned and began her position as Vice President of Design at Theory. Kulson spent five years with Theory and then took a ten year hiatus to work on a project of her own. In 2001, she launched Kulson Design Group, her namesake label where she led as Creative Director for nine years. In 2011, Kulson returned to Theory as a Design Consultant, while also working as a Design Consultant for her own brand. She later became the Senior Vice President and Creative Director for Theory, in 2013. Kulson also became a CFDA member in 2016. After five years in this position, she resigned and is now working as an Independent Fashion Consultant for Kulson Design Group.
Keren Craig is a Creative Consultant, who began her career as a student at The University of the Arts London. She graduated with a Foundation Degree in Fashion and Textiles, in 1995. Craig continued her education in Fashion and Textiles at The University of Brighton, graduating with a Bachelor of the Arts Degree, in 2000. In the years following, Keren Craig completed some freelance work at brands such as Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana. Later, she partnered with a longtime friend, Georgina Chapman, to create Marchesa, a brand that specializes in high end womenswear. The pair launched their label in 2004. In 2006, Marchesa was named one of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s top ten finalists Craig worked as a Co-founder and Co-creative Director until her departure from Marchesa in 2019.
After graduating from Fordham University with a bachelor's in art history in 1997, Nakouzi began her career as an executive assistant at Hill & Knowlton healthcare group, where she worked for two years. She kicked off in the fashion industry when she landed a position at Promostyl trend forecasting, as a senior trend consultant for four years. Within her time at Promostyl she was also a consultant for Timberland and moved to the Director of North America for Promostyl, holding the position until 2011. In 2005 Nakouzi co-founded 4.5 Productions, A boutique trend and concept agency working with luxury brands in fashion, beauty and design, where she functions as a partner and creative director to date. Alongside 4.5 Productions she has recently become an editorial director for The Real Real, an online marketplace for authenticated, consigned luxury goods. Amongst many other accomplishments, Rita has worked with an extensive list of clients ranging from Hermes to The One Hotel where she has done a multitude of projects. Her efforts towards sustainability in the fashion industry and beyond resonate throughout her work on various platforms. Wellness has been a consistent trend in her life since a young age, which allows her to effectively implement it into the businesses she works with and her own companies mission.
Catherine first received a foundational degree at Central Saint Martins for design and applied arts, she then moved on to receive her bachelor of arts degree in fashion textiles with a knitwear specialty from the University of Brighton, where she graduated in 2002. To begin her career, Catherine worked at Magaschoni as an assistant women’s sweater designer for five months, afterwards she landed a position working as an assistant in women’s sweaters and knits at Anne Klein. Moving forward, Carnevale worked at Calvin Klein as an associate designer for women’s sweaters and knits, then at Club Monaco she was a designer for women’s sweaters and knits. In 2010 she went back to Club Monaco as a senior director for women’s sweaters, knits and cold weather accessories. She now is the Co Founder and creative director of the high end knitwear collection and consultancy business, Eleven Six. Her inspiration for Eleven Six stemmed from a trip to Peru and Bolivia where she deeply admired the local artisans. With her extensive background in knits and beyond, Carnevale will assist in judging our senior design panel for 2020!
Sophia has an incredibly extensive educational background, beginning at the London School of Fashion, University of the Arts London with a degree in fashion and sustainability. She then went to The Parsons School of Design- The New School, and lastly, studied at East Sydney Tech College where she received a degree in fashion design, fashion apparel and design. In 2003 she started as a creative director for Nicole Miller in New York, later on she became a global creative director at Bagir International working on eco conscious global mens and womenswear. In 2010 she started at Rebecca Minkoff as a design director, during her other ventures, Sophia was a freelance fashion stylist at Saks, Neiman Marcus, L’Oreal, Macy’s, Interview Magazine, Avon, Bandolini, and Howard Hughes Corp. Her other positions included a design consultant for ST INC and D & K UGG Australia. As of 2018 she is the Principal/ Creative Director for her company, Sophia IS LLC, a luxury designer denim company. With her surplus of positions in the fashion industry and broad knowledge of the industry we are elated to welcome Sophia to our judging panel for the 2020 group of senior designers.
