Otis College Fashion Design Program 2024-2025 Mentors Include AGOLDE, Cupshe, and Jonathan Cohen, Among Others

The program pairs students with established designers to prepare them for successful careers in the fashion industry.

Otis College’s Fashion Design program has announced its roster of mentors for the 2024-2025 academic year. The program has a decades-long track record of training students in all aspects of the design process, following the industry model in which several seasons are designed simultaneously. Working with professional mentors, students learn far more than drawing, sewing, and pattern-making skills—they experience all facets of the industry and learn to meet deadlines with creativity and self-discipline. 

Each year, Fashion Design juniors and seniors are paired with professional mentors who provide the students with insight into the future of fashion. Juniors focus on casual and active sportswear in the moderately-priced market, including a sustainable design project, while seniors work on tailored garments and evening wear for the luxury market.

At the beginning of the academic year, mentors provide a creative brief and design direction to their group of mentees. For the remainder of the year, the students undergo a rigorous process to refine the conceptual basis of their projects, receiving ongoing guidance from faculty. Mentors assess the students’ work through critiques during design development, sketch selection, and fittings, sharing their professional expertise to inspire innovative thinking, new construction ideas, and insights into the design and production process. The work culminates in a public fashion show during the College’s O-Launch exhibition weekend in May.

This year’s mentors include: 

Juniors

Mentor: Timothy McGrath, Senior Art Director, Activision Blizzard
Direction: Re-imagine urban fantasy archetypes for the runway and create an all-digital collection. 

Mentors: Doreen Brennan, SVP Design and Brand Strategy; and Christine Geiger, Senior Designer (’05 BFA Fashion Design), Cupshe
Direction: A collection of multicolored swimwear and coverups that go from beach to bar to dinner.

Mentor: David Rimokh, CEO and Founder, RTA
Direction: A study in black. Explore the RTA logo in a streetwear collection blending norms across all genders.

Mentor: Leonardo Lawson, CEO, Vfiles
Direction: Capsule collection for the jetsetter executive who transitions from jet to boardroom to night club.

Seniors 

Mentor: Jack Burns, Design Director, AGOLDE
Direction: Design a collection of elevated modern sportswear inspired by the forms of an artist.

Mentor: Jonathan Cohen, Founder and Creative Director; and Sarah Leff, Co-Founder and CEO, Jonathan Cohen
Direction: Create a collection of prints inspired by “Punk Impressionism” for a sportswear line that reflects Jonathan Cohen’s brand ethos.

Mentor: David Rimokh, CEO and Founder, RTA
Direction: A study in black. Create a luxe contemporary streetwear collection for men and women.

Mentors: Julie de Libran and Vanessa Khattar, sponsored by West Coast Exports
Direction: Craft a collection of gowns that dazzle with multi-faceted brilliance, where crystals and intricate embroideries transform each piece into a work of dazzling art inspired by a kaleidoscope.

Mentor: David Meister
Direction: Create a captivating collection that pushes boundaries by exploring the interplay of shape and color.

Mentor: Zaid Affas
Direction: Design a visionary collection that reflects your unique point of view.

The mentorship approach of Otis College’s Fashion Design program exemplifies its philosophy of learning through industry interaction, promoting professionalism, and providing invaluable networking opportunities to support students’ career aspirations. Graduates enter the profession as assistant designers, associate designers, illustrators, costume designers, textile designers, accessory designers, and product designers. Some start their own clothing brands upon graduation.

More Information About Otis College’s Fashion Design Program

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