Barbara Berman

What does it take to work ‘behind the scenes’ of New York City’s high profile events? One can only guess…but CPS Fashion Events Planning Certificate Facilitator, Barbara Berman, clearly knows and can definitely point one in the right direction!

For over 12 years, Berman has been back stage, working a variety of top notch special events and productions. From A-list fashion shows like Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, and Carolina Herrera, to television broadcasts such as the Country Music Awards and the Daytime Emmys, Berman has seen it all. This year will be Berman’s 4th year as Costume Crew Chief for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, involving 100 dressers and 2,000 parade marchers. She admits, “I enjoy any event that is well organized and meets it’s objective.” Some of her favorite events have been: the Matthew Shepard Foundation Benefit; the 10th Anniversary Performance and Gala of “Rent”; the Women of Distinction Luncheon and Fashion Show, and the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids Benefit.

Believe it or not, Berman started her career as a music teacher for the New Jersey Public School System. Unsatisfied with the instability of government arts programming, Berman wanted a working environment that did not depend on funding. With undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education and an MBA in Arts Management already under her belt, Berman decided to try a different career path. She then chose to take up a certificate in Entertainment Marketing. Transitioning from one career to the next proved to be quite a challenge. She ultimately got her foot in the door by volunteering at NY Fashion Week’s inaugural appearance at Bryant Park. She was also interning whenever she had the chance. Her determination, overall understanding and realistic approach to the entertainment industry has lead Berman to her exceptional status of today.

As a firm believer of the saying “knowledge is power,” Berman teaches her ‘formula for success’ to students eager to make it in the industry. Based on her past experiences, her key words of advice are:
• Keep your day job while transitioning to a new career
• Build your network and resume through volunteering
• Be noticed for your professionalism and skills by taking continuing education courses

In an industry with tough skin and sharp wit to boot, Berman has carved her career path. Future Event Planners…it is time to jump on the band wagon!

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Bernard Kahn

Bernard Kahn proudly stands as a third-generation contributor to the garment industry. With a cutter/patternmaker grandfather, and an industrial engineer father who went on to be the chairman of the Production Management department at FIT, working in fashion was natural for Prof. Kahn. In the 70’s, Bernie attended and graduated from FIT with multiple degrees in industrial engineering and production management. He has worked for several manufacturing firms as well as The Garment Industry Development Corp. (GIDC)  

An industry consultant for over 15 years, Bernie has witnessed several major changes in the garment industry. Besides technology, he recalls the second largest change being imports. “The challenge is the migration of production from the States to other places in the world and how this impacts product development and production management.” Bernie also believes that, as apparel businesses grew, they developed their accounting systems, but computerization lagged behind in production, compliance, and quality control.

When asked the infamous question, “Is it true that you brought the internet to FIT?”, Bernie responds, “Yes, I was one of the first faculty members to use the internet on campus.” Even more than use, Bernie taught the first internet seminars offered at FIT, appropriately titled “Introduction to the Internet”. With skeptical enrollment at first in 1994, the class exceeded capacity after three months, at which time; the internet had indeed become the latest phenomenon. “I had to change the (class) curriculum every six months from that point, since the internet was evolving so rapidly at that time,” he admits.

A progressive thinker, solid communicator and technology specialist, Bernard Kahn works to make positive change in the fashion industry working with companies to identify their systems automation needs for efficiency, better made product and to introduce technologies to improve operations and profitability.

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Dominique Isbecque 

Born in Africa, raised in both Belgium and the United States, and now residing in Manhattan, Dominique Isbecque has a remarkable worldview. Fluent in French and conversant in Spanish, Isbecque profoundly understands the universal art of perception management, business etiquette and customer service. Isbecque is a trailblazer in the field of image and personal communications.   She is Founder and Executive Director of the Image Resource Center of New York LLC, one of the architects of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) and Facilitator of CPS’ Image Consulting certificate       program.

Whether a high-profile celebrity, corporate professional or budding entrepreneur, it’s safe to say that image can ‘make or break’ any person. As a result, Isbecque believes that working with an image consultant is a viable first step on many individuals’ road to success. Corporations are now recognizing that image affects their bottom-line particularly with customer service. "The image of an individual/employee affects the public’s image of that organization,” Isbecque states. 

When asked about the difference between a Stylist and Image Consultant, Isbecque answers, “Image consultants are like instructors and coaches who have methodology.  We must explain the reasons ‘why’ behind our recommendations.” She added that image consultants deal with ‘real people in real-life situations’, unlike stylists who primarily work with industry models, celebrities and media. “Similarly however, there is a high degree of sensitivity and client communication skills necessary when dealing with all people,” she admits. Rather than largely working on a per project basis, Isbecque noted that image consultants can build extended client relationships over long periods of time. “I’ve had clients for 30 years whom I see only twice a year,” she says. “When I teach and mentor students, we review these career character differences, and some have switched from styling to image and vice versa.” 

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For Emma Sosa, her childhood pastime of “playing dress up” evolved into a full-time profession!

As a professional fashion stylist, Emma visually interprets ready-to-wear fashion for individuals, corporations and budding protégés. Emma’s 16-year industry tenure include credits in Essence, Latina and Imagen; assignments with beauty mega brand, Lancome; and leading retail empire, Macy’s. Emma has worked on several television and radio broadcasts, and more intensively with the Hispanic media market- consulting for television show, El Show de Cristina (Oprah’s Latina contender), and the ‘Best and Worst Dressed’ at the Latin Music Awards.

Trained and certified as a Color and Image Consultant, Emma, an FIT, Fashion Merchandising Management graduate, defends fashion as a highly significant form of non-verbal communication. “It’s definitely a psychology. In this fast-paced society, we are judged primarily on how we look. Therefore, color, style, line and design of clothing play an important role,” she states.

Emma shares her fashion philosophies at corporate seminars, private consultations, group workshops and in-store fashion events. When asked about her high-profile client experience, Emma expresses boredom with celebrity fashion explaining that with no budgetary constraints and loads of designers bids, its easy for celebrities to have great style. In her view, “I’m much more intrigued by a professional woman or artist who doesn’t have a big budget, but yet pulls it together with gusto. Its more impressive to me.”

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Instead of thinking ‘outside of the box’ as a child, Margaret Miele, remained inside of her box… of crayons, that is. As the Facilitator of the CPS’ Color Specialist Certificate Program, she attributes the classic ‘Crayola™ 64-box set ala sharpener’ as the catalyst to her success. “I had only known of a handful of colors, and here now was a world of them. No one had ever said to me ‘Look at that beautiful magenta flower,’” she explained.

Margaret graduated from college with an eye on a career in program assessment and evaluation. Luckily, an adjunct faculty position landed her in FIT’s Social Sciences department, where she has been teaching ever since. As for non-credit seminar programs, Margaret was presented with an even brighter opportunity. “Joan Volpe recognized a need in the industry to provide color theory and a practical curriculum,” she stated. Thus, the Color Specialist Certificate was born.

“Its interesting how we are hard-wired as humans to respond to color,” Margaret said. Developing the curriculum from three core aspects of color theory (psychology, science and art history), Miele summarized her Certificate as ‘the broad understanding of color in human behavior, the physical properties of color and effects of light, and the cultural aesthetics and socio-political history of color’. Margaret encourages students to see the Color Specialist Certificate as a lively addition to one’s existing industry credentials. “For example, most want ads say ‘footwear designer with a strong color specialty’. Its not usually found by itself,” she says.

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Neal Leavitt has been in fashion buying for over 30 years. With extensive corporate retail experience in women’s, men’s and intimate apparel, its safe to say that Neal has nearly bought and sold it all. Using FIT as his capstone, this Hall of Fame alumnus and professor, transports his industry expertise to and from the classroom.

Neal began his fashion buying career with none of the instantly gratifying, technological devices of today’s world- no computers, no calculators, virtually nothing with a monitor. Instead, Neal served as a makeshift human computing department at his first apparel company, and was the ‘eyes and ears’ for its esteemed chairman. Neal’s analytical and highly inquisitive nature led him to understanding high-level business strategies and big-picture thinking. As a generalist, Neal offered an exceptional industry skill set- computing, strategy and merchandising. This comprehensive buying strength has today made Neal Leavitt an undeniable asset to companies like Calvin Klein, Chaus, Gimbels, GFT (licensure for European brands including Armani, Emmanuel Ungaro and Joseph Abboud) and Tommy Hilfiger USA.

“While retail math only requires an elementary (level) competency, students are still challenged; not with the complexity of the operations, but with what exactly to do with the numbers,” he explains. Thus, Professor Leavitt helps students interpret retail figures by taking practical experiences and modifying them according to internal and external standards. He encourages students to become proactive as buyers in an effort to build better business relationships.

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As Facilitator of CPS' latest certificate program, Pattie Barbosa shares her career specialty as an expert wardrobe technician. This working mother needed an upgrade from her $16 job, so Pattie took her sewing hobby seriously and began working as a professional costumer. Today she is a highly recognized wardrobe technician and stylist.

To date, Pattie has worked extensively in theater, television and film. Her actual working schedule varies considerably per project; a news show may run from 4am until noon, while a Broadway show may require her from 6:30pm until 11pm. On the other hand, Pattie can report on a film set by midday, and may not leave until the next morning. In lieu of such an unpredictable calendar, Pattie reinforces good health and wellness as keys to success in her field. 'Taking care of oneself is essential, but the freedom of expression and creativity demands of her work are fabulous.'

Having many star faces to stand alongside her garment rack, Pattie gladly disproves a few random backstage myths. From seasoned leading ladies including June Allyson, Esther Williams, and Betty Garrett to modern mavens like Parker Posey, 'Celebrities have been delightful," Pattie says. 'Give them what they need, and they're never a problem."

Pattie encourages her students to know how to sew well. 'Technicians must strongly stand behind their abilities. There are no substitute tailors on a set when something goes wrong, therefore, your skills cannot be in question."

Pattie Barbosa asserts that a wardrobe technician must have passion. 'You can't take up space in this field. You have to love and want to do it well to succeed.'

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