2016 AA, Fashion Design, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Los Angeles, CA
1979 CC in Fashion Design, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Los Angeles, CA
1978 Marketing, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles, CA
1976-77 Art / Merchandising /Tailoring / General, American River Jr. College, Sacramento, CA
My 30 years of experience in the fashion industry has made me a quick study of any given design or fit aesthetic and has afforded me opportunities to sharpen both my skills and those vital, soft skills needed as a contributor to any creative team. My experience in the field has been a real asset to my teaching, as I’m able to respond to a wide-range of students’ interests and to support their development as designers, taking a collaborative approach to the design challenges that students inevitably face. I'm known for being methodical and disciplined, a skilled multi-tasker, focused and decisively creative, resourceful, and determined, even while being realistic about attaining results. These qualities have served me well, enabling me to prevail over the many obstacles inherent in the creative process and the many challenges of teaching. I bring my experience in diverse working environments—from small, intimate design rooms such as Naven and Kill City to sprawling corporate environments such as BCBG and Halston —to working effectively and professionally with the diverse student body at OTIS.
I teach Senior Studio. I love the format of studio classes because they mirror the work of professional designers, adhering to the seasonal deadlines we all work towards, and demonstrating the importance of teamwork. Just as fashion changes with each new season, I adapt to the challenges of each new endeavor I undertake at OTIS. I find this constant evolution stimulating and keeps me excited about each new season. My passion for a well-finessed garment has never waned, nor has my enthusiasm for fashion design. I am energized by the challenges each new project offers. I am confident in my ability to impart this enthusiasm to students. I care deeply about the subjects and the students I teach. I find it immensely rewarding to be a part of the process of developing students’ understanding and curiosity while helping them master the requisite skills for a rewarding career in apparel design. The personal satisfaction I get from being part of their preparation rivals the feelings of accomplishment I’ve experienced in other aspects of my career.
Learn more about Donna here!
- 1ST Place in 5 out of 5 categories - sportswear, evening, dresses, theme, best of show
1979 “Gold Thimble”- Graduate Fashion Show
Los Angeles Trade Technical College, L.A., CA
- Women’s Wear Daily Trade Periodical
2/2012 – “HALSTON Gears Up Re-launch,” by Marcy Medina
8/1999 –“SATURATION POINT,” Dollhouse – nylon skirt Vol. 178 Issue 25 pg 8
3/1998 – “DESERT STORM,” Dollhouse– top and skirt –Vol. 175 Issue 39 pg 6
12/1998 – “PARTY TIME,” Dollhouse – dress – Vol. 176, No. 122 pg. 5
10/1995 - Denim Network (supplement), Lip Service top and pants
9/1995 - Denim Network ( supplement ), Lip Service dress
1995 MADMOISELLE MAGAZINE Oct. “ Check Mates”
1995 MADMOISELLE MAGAZINE Dec . “ Short and Sexy”
1995 COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE Aug. “ Cobra”
1995 ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE April 20 pg. 15 “ Spring Style”
1996 SPORTSWEAR INTERNATIONAL June/July
1998 NYLON MAGAZINE, Feb., “ Troop Mentality”
2005 TEEN PEOPLE MAGAZINE, March, Dollhouse
2010 ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE March 18 COVER PAGE
Employment History
- August 2015 to Present: Full-time Associate Professor, Instructor of Fashion Design, Otis College of Art and Design, L.A., CA
- February 2014 to July 2015: Full-time Tenure Track Faculty, Instructor of Fashion Design, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, L.A., CA
- January 2012 to February 2014: Adjunct Instructor of Fashion Design, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, L.A., CA
Professional Activities
- 2016 to Present: 1st – Prod. Pattern Maker, Junior, Dolls Kill, San Francisco, CA
- 2013 to Present: Designer / 1st – Prod. Pattern Maker, Better Lingerie, MJ Bruno / Naked Princess, Los Angeles, CA
- 2019 Summer: Created and developed content for the 2nd Edition of Draping: The Complete Course by Karolyn Kiisel
- 2012–2013: Draper / 1st - Production Pattern Maker, Better Contemporary, NAVEN, Los Angeles, CA
- 2011–2012: Draper/ Patternmaker, Designer Collection, HALSTON, Los Angeles, CA
- 2009–2011: Patternmaker, Better Contemporary, KILL CITY, Los Angeles, CA
- 2004–2008: Design Consultant / Pattern making and Design, Designer, Junior, and Contemporary markets, Donna Lobato Design Services New York, NY / Los Angeles, CA
- 1997–2004: Designer, Junior Sportwear, DOLLHOUSE, New York, NY
- 1996–1997: Designer, Junior Dresses and Sportswear, NECESSARY OBJECTS, New York, NY
- 1996: Design Studio Manager / Asst. Designer. BETSEY JOHNSON, New York, NY
- 1992–1996: Designer, Junior dresses and sportswear, LIP SERVICE, Los Angeles, CA
- 1991–1992: 1st – Prod. Patternmaker, Better Contemporary Dresses, KELLY NEWFIELD, Los Angeles, CA
- 1989–1991: 1st thru Production Patternmaker / Asst. Designer, Luxury Designer, AZAR - WOODS, Los Angeles, CA
- 1987–1989: Design Dept. / Production Liason, Contemporary Dresses and Sportwear, DENNIS GOLDSMITH, Los Angeles, CA
- 1985–1987: 1st Patternmaker, Bridal collection, VALERIA, Los Angeles, CA
- 1983–1985: 1st Patternmaker, Contemporary Dresses, NINA PICCOLINO, Los Angeles, CA
- 1980–1983: 1st Patternmaker / Asst. Designer, Juniors dresses and sportswear, MIRRORS, Los Angeles, CA
- 1978–1980: Asst. Designer, Contemporary Sportswear, CAMPUS CASUALS OF CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles, CA
- 1978: 1st Patternmaker/ Apprenticeship, Designer Dresses, DIANA VENEGAS, Beverly Hills, CA
Clients
- HALSTON Heritage
- L'Agence
- MJ Bruno
- Betsey Johnson
- Dollhouse
- Kill City
- Lip Service
- Necessary Objects
- Valeria Bridal
- Diana Venegas
- Dennis Goldsmith
- Campus Casual