Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design
Recent (and less-recent) Graduates
The diversity of the textiles field means a variety of career choices. Many of our fashion merchandising graduates are employed as managers and buyers for major department stores and specialty store chains. Others work in fashion showrooms on New York City's Seventh Avenue, as design assistants to major apparel manufacturers, or in editorial functions for major fashion magazines. Still others are interior decorators, museum curators, or theatrical costumers. An increasing number are making a name for themselves in the textile industry in product research and development, performance testing, quality control, and textile manufacturing.
The most illustrious of our grads end up on our "Wall of Fame". We'd love to hear of more nominations!
Here is what some of our recent graduates have been doing. If you know of any career moves, let us know (lwelters@uri.edu)
Undergraduates
Class of 2008
Julia
Cahill has joined the TJX
Corporate Offices as an allocation analyst.
Lisa
Marie Carroll will join the New York Corporate Offices of Bed Bath and Beyond as
an Assistant Buyer
Christine Gayant is an account executive, shoes at Dior, New York
Jessica Gilliam, has a position as Visual Merchandiser, Aldo, Natick, MA
Laura Glynn is with Bureau Veritas, Taunton, MA as a client specialist.
Matthew Grimes is with SGS in New Jersey as a Client Support Coordinator
Kate Jenkins is working for Newport Collaborative Architects in the Interiors Department
Kristin Landolfi is a Production Assistant at the Jones Apparel Group, New York
Amanda Miller works for the VP of Sales & Marketing in the Trump Organization.
Leah Marani is an interior designer at APG office furnishings, designing hospitals, offices, universities, and other commercial spaces.
Caitlin Purcell is working with Leon Skolnik, designer of Albe Furs, at his facility in Greenwich, CT.
Jenna Richards is an Allocation Analyst, TJX Corporation, Framingham, MA
Colleen Robinson is an assistant global sourcing manager at Boston Apparel Group in West bridgewater, MA
Jamie Rubin took a position the Corporate Headquarters of Aeropostale as an Asst. Production Manager
Allison Senzer, Account Executive, Susie & Co., NYC
Ashley Thomas is Working for Bureau Veritas in Taunton, MA
Class of 2007
Sara Baird is in
the Fabric Research and Development Team at Liz Claiborne in NY
Gina Bisceglio - Marketing Planner, Abercrombie & Fitch
Jen Deschenes is a Demand Planner for Puma in MA.
DeAnne Dillon is an assistant buyer for Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand.
Jessica Donofrio has joined the Gap Management Program
Amber Eaton is Assistant Account Executive with Van Zeeland Inc. in NYC. They design bags for Kathy Van Zeeland, B. Makowsky and Tignanello.
Katie Foye, Katie Dolan and Angela Williams have joined TJX Corp as allocation
analysts
Angela Kelley is Jr.
Merchandiser for Liz Claiborne Golf in NY
Sarah Kelly is Project
Management Coordinator, Advertising with
Polo Ralph Lauren in New York
Gabrielle King is working in the showroom of Blueholdings inc.
They hold denim lines for Yanuk, Antik, Faith Connexion, and Taverniti
Gaby Levey is an assistant account manager for Iluna USA, who manufacture lace
for Victoria's Secret, Maidenform, Warnaco and others
Kristen Lusignan has joined Charbert, Inc.
Liz Lyons, Account Analyst, Ketchum PR, New York City
Natalie Marcinkowski is an assistant buyer at Queen Bee boutique, Boston
Laurel Noveck is an assistant cad designer with Reggatta .
Michelle Pares is doing pre production and product development with The Limited
in New York
Jordana Persily, Merchandising Coordinator, Macy's Home, NYC
Wendy Richburg is an Assistant Buyer with Linens'n'things
Kelsey Smith and Laurel Novack are Assistant CAD designers at Regatta/Pacific Alliance
in New York
Jessica Stein - Merchandise Planning Assistant, Jones Apparel Group
Maegan Whitford is Assistant Designer of Casual Wovens at Talbots Inc.
Lisa Woods is Merchandise Trainee for Costume Jewelry and Watches at QVC
in West Chester, PA
Class of 2006
Nicole Bauman is an Assistant Interior Designer for TulipTree Collection
Michelle Bellucci has joined Donghia as a purchasing assistant for
textiles in Milford, CT
Melissa Blanco is an Assistant Designer at Milana Designs
Marissa Cox is a Manager for an Abercrombie and Fitch Store
Samantha DeLange is a Sales Associate at Nordstroms
Kassandra Denfield and Sarah Kelly have joined Polo as merchandising assistants
in Lyndhurst, NJ
Kristina DiMatteo is a Media and Marketing Services Coordinator at Kellwood
Corporation in New York, dealing with Sag Harbor, XOXO, Calvin Klein and Liz
Claiborne brands
Jenny Doucette is working at Tropical Gangsters in Newport, RI
Sara Kennedy is an Assistant Buyer with Macy's
Kate McElroy is an associate in Textile Sourcing and Development with Jones Apparel Group
in New York
Meaghan Mooney is a Licensing Coodinator in Business Development at Condι Nast
Publications in New York
Denise Nyhart, Bettina Perez, and Angela Williams have joined TJX Corp as Allocation Analysts
Heather Pizzarello is a Product Coordinator for Nine West of the Jones Apparel Group in New York.
Amanda Seiff is Assistant Product Development/Production Manager with Ann Taylor Factory - Casual/Suits in New York
Sarah Smith working as a Product Developer with New Balance in Brighton, MA
Riona Sutton is an Assistant Textile Buyer at Briggs NY, part of the Kelwood Corp.
Class of 2005
Timothy Bachand is the store manager for Workshop in the Natick Mall,
Natick MA
Kelsey Bachand is the store manager for Workshop in the Swansea Mall,
Swansea, MA
Sarah Faith is working with TJX Corp as an Allocation Analyst in Framingham MA
Jacqueline Galto is working for custom clothing designer Tigresse Fashion (www.tigressefashion.com) San Francisco, CA
Diane Hodnett is working as a Materials Commercialization Developer for Reebok
Jessica Law is Assistant Designer for Kenneth Cole Reaction Kids Footwear in NYC
Rachel Lomonaco is with the Peace Corps in Guinea, Africa.
Allison Mallardi has joined Talbots as an allocation analyst
Nicolette Milano is New England sales rep. for The Weller Group,.
representing lines including Smith sunglasses and goggles, PolarMAX underwear, GIRO winter helmets, High Sierra luggage, Sanuk flip-flops and Gordini winter gloves.
Allyson Nyland is Quality Coordinator for Franklin Sports
Kirsten Obermiller is "in charge of veils" at Priscilla of Boston
Jennifer Penswick is Research and Development Coordinator with Hind apparel
division of Stride Rite/Saucony
Emily Parylak is working on the design and coloration of lace with Klauber
Brothers in New York
Kate Seavey started her own clothing company where she is the owner, designer,
and manufacturer! Visit www.stuffbykate.com.
Lindsay Sullivan is with the Gap in San Francisco
Amy Tiso started as a production assistant for Nanette Lepore, NYC. She
has now joined Julie Brown as a production coordinator/assistant designer.
Amanda Williamson joined TJX as an Allocation Analyst
Class of 2004
Shirah Bergman is starting her own business designing and making talit for bar and bat mitzvahs
Lauren Brady is working with Nieman Marcus in Short Hills, NJ
Tracy Freedman is fashion editor for grace ormonde Wedding Style Magazine and Marriage Magazine
in Barrington, RI
Bryan Frost is an applications analyst with Partners Healthcare in Boston
Alexandra Hlavinka is a manager at Ruehl, a retail store in NJ
Ka Yan Khan is the wardrobe supervisor for Festival Ballet in Providence, costume designer for the
production "The Widows Broom".
Kristin Koch is a merchandiser for Bloomingdales in Chicago
Erin McGaughy, Tracey Rajewski, Briana Hill, Elizabeth Bamford,
Melissa Whitney and Cara Kiloran were hired by TJX Corp. as Allocation Analysts.
Nicole Rascona Production Coordinator for Anne Klein, Nine West Footwear, White
Plains, NY
Jessica Raffaele interned at NineWest on graduation, and has now begun work with
Jones Casual Design
Melissa Ridgely is an Assistant Buyer with Bloomingdale's in New York
Lori Trink is Assistant Product Development Designer for Marc by Marc Jacobs and
Calypso by Christiane Celle.
Kelly Wilder spent some time with McKay's Furniture in North Kingstown, and is
now a specifications writer at DiLeonardo International in Warwick, RI
Samnang Yen has been hired as a technical designer with Talbot's in
Massachusetts.
Class of 2003
Kerri Besse is a General Merchandise Manager with J. Mendel in New York
Chelsea Frazier is an Account Manager for Lesa Wallace Handbags in Los Angeles, CA
Rachel Hecht is an assistant at Hanky Panky in NY: they do work for Neiman Marcus and Victoria's Secret
Dayna Johnson started her own company in 2006, selling vintage textiles.
Visit her website at http://www.daynaholli.com
Cara Landy has started her own handbag company in New York. (Visit her
website at http://www.caralandy.com)
Holly Light is a merchandise manager for Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts.
Stephanie Magna is now Media Manager for Corporate Public Relations with Nieman Marcus
Alyssa Reinstein is Assistant Account Manager for Associated Merchandising Corp.,
in New York. working on a Bloomingdales private label account.
Alexys (Salfeety) Garrepy is the Associate Director of Sales and Marketing at Gennaro Inc.
(costume jewelry) in North Providence, RI.
Jen Zdeb: Trainee, Amerex Corporation
Class of 2002
Noelle Angeli, Senior Sourcing Manager, Phillips-Van Heusen
Jamie Antonelli, Lucky Jeans, California
Julie Bassin is an Account Executive for Kasper Sportswear, a division of Jones New York.
Jennifer Barbuto is a new Merchandise Assistant at Ellen Tracy in NYC.
Emily Cohen is a merchandising assistant with an intimate apparel company
Lisa Carr is Asst.Designer/Merchandiser for Habits in Manhatten.
Lauren Frenkel works for BCBG, Hermosa Beach, California
Sarah Gileau is Assistant Designer for Tawil Associates/The Mayfair Company
Kara LaFlamme Wickman is an Account Executive, Bernardo Manufacturing (Jewelry), East Providence, RI
Laura Michael is a merchandising assistant, Tommy Hilfiger Sleepwear, New York
Kelley Pavia, Assistant Technical Designer, New Britain, CT
Lisa Rogers, Allocatin Analyst, TJX Corp., Framingham, MA
Class of 2001
Kristi DiLuna, finished a Masters degree at North Carolina State University and
is now in the Strategic Planning Division of Cotton Incorporated
Holly DuBois, interior design assignment and marketing representative,
Architecture Dynamics
Steven Ewing, "e" Model, Worcester, Mass
Stacey Edmunds, graduate student, George Washington University
Jill Fowler, Visual Merchandiser, Kabloom (floral retailer)
Elliot Friedman, Visual Merchandiser, Kabloom (floral retailer)
Jennifer Negra is Designer at Pico Manufacturing in New York's Empire State
Building
Stacey Holt, Merchandiser, Barneys, New York
Mandy Misiak, Sales Rep, Nine West
Heather Patnode, is working towards an MFA in Interior Design at Suffolk
University
Omni Profit is a Group Sales Manager with Macy's
Alyssa Reinstein is General Merchandise Buyer for Shalom International/United Legwear in New York City.
Heidi Steckert, graduated with an MS from the Institute of Textile Technology
and now works with Malden Mills
Class of 2000:
Marisa Comito, Showroom Assistant, Jones Apparel Group, New York
Jamie Comforti, Assistant Visual Merchandiser, Express
Nancy Connor, is a Senior Sales Analyst for Karen Neuburger Sleepwear
in NY
Juliann Costa, Gap, Inc., San Francisco
Ann Franks is designing bathrooms for trade clients and home owners at
Waterworks in Greenwich, CT.
Jill Harris, Specifier/Designer, DiLeonardo International
Jessica Kao, Merchandising Assistant, Nautica Tailored Suits
Jackie Mills, Assistant Buyer, Anne Klein Factory Outlet Stores
Jessica McKiverkin, Director of Specialty Stores, DKNY Jeans, New York, NY.
Kristin Thornton, Buyer Training Program, Bloomingdale's, New York
Erica Wiley, Assistant Designer, Bennett Design Group, New York
Jessica West, Assistant Merchandiser, Tommy Hilfiger, New York
Kristen West, Sales Assistant, Polo Jeans, NYC
Elicia (Souza) Fogg, Associate Planning Manager, TJX Corp.
Stephanie Miller is at Eileen Fisher, NYC
Molly Shadrick is working for Reebok
Class of '99:
Tracy Arena is an assistant buyer with Filene's
Beth Bradly has joined Vera Wang
Alison Costa, Corporate Events Planner, The Hartford Insurance Company
Renee (Darisse) Loeckler is in charge of the veil department for Priscilla of Boston in Charlestown, MA.
Kyle Dewar is working for Fidelity Investments
Derek Graver is Manager of Visual Merchandising for The Robert Allen Group in Manhattan
Leah Hendricks is working for Crate and Barrel
Jennifer Krawczyk is visual director at Ann Taylor Loft in Manhattan, and completing her MS degree at URI!
Allison Levy, Licensing, Kenneth Cole, New York
Jennifer Liss is a sales executive for L'Atelier Group, Los Angeles, CA,
launching AG Jeans.
Debra McGowan is at the corporate Headquarters of Ann Taylor
Dave Muellers is with the Alex Silk Co.
Crystal Petrarca has joined Macy's
Bethany Richardson and Kim Souler are with John Hancock
Andrea Skillings is assistant technical designer for Talbot's
Other Grads
Jennifer (Garrepy) Brousseau is dong sales and product development for LDC
inc. in Providence
Leslie (Spinney) Hatch is close to completing a PhD at NCSU.
Naomi Siravo('97) is designing "Mindless Reaction" a men's
sportswear company, in California
Danielle Lanni ('98) is with Ralph Lauren Children's Wear in NY
Lauren Keach ('98) Is with Mast Industries as Technical Fabric Manager for
Victoria's Secret Stores
Jennifer Basque Meech ('96) is Global Apparel Assistant Line Manager for New
Balance Athletic Shoes.
Allison Marks Schiller is Fabric Sourcing Manager at Speigel Inc., Chicago.
Elizabeth Liebner ('97) is an Associate Product Manager with Federated Merchandising
Group
Bethany Sue Ring (92) is a Dyeing Manager and Director of Customer Service
at Bradford
Dyeing Association Inc. in Westerly, RI.
Leigh Gross (96) works for Springborn laboratories in Enfield
CT
Alexis Brady (96) is in showroom sales for Gianni Versace
Michael Pitt (96) works with the home division of Polo/Ralph
Lauren
Yildiz Rosario (96) is a Management Training Executive for Nine
West
Erica Schwartzburg (96) is in Executive Training with K-Mart
Janel Dessureau (95) is a designer with J Crew
Jennifer Lara (95) is a Merchandise Planner for Fila Sportswear
Michelle (Burchill) Jonason (95) is Production Manager at Nanette Lepore in New York
Karin (Gobler) Amoruso (96) is designing for Robert Scott David
Brooks.
Elizabeth Dubrovsky ('96) is the color analyst with Robert Allen Fabrics
Debra Huntington (97) is with NFL Properties
Lisa Ajoian (97) joined David Brookes
Carl Barbara (97) is with Concord Fabrics
Jennifer DAchino (97) took a position with Calique
Lisa Evans (97) works for Polo/Ralph Lauren
Michelle Perin (95) is a buyer for "Ross Stores"
Jennifer Martish (96) is working in sales for Oil Chem
Beth Macgillivray (96) is working with Robert Allen Fabrics
Evelyn Vasquez (97), is an Assistant Product Manager, International
Licensing, Calvin Klein
Kim (Bartkewicz) Froberg, (97) is an Interior Designer with McKays Furniture,
North Kingstown, RI
Suzie Hanratty (97), Lisa Martin (97), are Executive Trainees,
Abraham& Strauss
Rebecca (Cunningham) Martin ('96) is a buyer for the outlet division of
Samsonite in Warren, RI
Sarah Quesnel ('96) is a commercial designer with Move Management in Providence,
RI
Beth Cafferty ('93) is teaching housing and interiors at West Haven High School,
CT
Bea Mesa('97) is Fabric Coordinator for Ariela-Alpha International in New York
Stephanie Mendes ('92) is Associate Buyer for Value City Department Stores in Womens
Shoes, based in Columbus, OH
MS Graduates
Karin Conopask (95) works in development for the URI Foundation
Claudia Iannuccilli(94) is Textile Conservator at the
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Cathy Coho is (93) Textile Conservator at the Winterthur Museum
Taylor Hastie ('91) is Director of Trends and Styles for EXPO (Home Depot's high end retail operation).
Xiaoming Wang (95) is in the accessories department at Esquel, a global
apparel concern based in Ohio.
Suzanne Baldaia (93) is studying for a Ph.D. at Salve Regina in Newport
Gail Putnam (95) is an Education specialist at Erie Canal
Village
Deborah King (93) is in a PhD program at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
Cynthia Cooper (93) is Curator of Textiles and Costume at McCord Museum, Montreal.
Teresa McCarthy ('98) is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Bryant College in RI.
Jeffrey Butterworth ('99) is an Associate Professor in the theater
department of CCRI
Chun Qing Yuan ('99) is working with Vartest Laboratories, New
York
Tess Fredette ('99) is a Conservator at the Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum in
Boston, MA
Beth Eubanks ('99) works with the anthropology division of the
Smithsonian Institution
Nancy Britton ('99) is Associate Conservator at the Sherman Fairchild Center for Objects Conservation,
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sarah Stevens ('99) is an textile conservator at People's Island.
Melanie Sanford ('01) is a textile conservator at the American Textile History
Museum in Lowell, MA
Pamela Sebor-Cable ('01) is teaching apparel classes at Framingham State
College.
Meghan Kelly is an Allocation Analyst with TJX Corp.
Rebecca Kelly ('02) is at the Preservation Society of Newport County doing
curatorial, research and conservation work
Willow Mullins ('02) is working towards a Ph.D. in folklore studies at
University of Missouri Columbia
Blaire Gagnon ('02) is heading towards a Ph.D. in Anthropology at UConn.
Rebecca Hall ('02) earned a Ph.D. in Art History at UCLA in 2008
Tiffany Weber-Hanchett ('03) teaches at Parsons and FIT in New York
Matthew McGrath ('03) has a PhD program at Florida State
University in Tallahasee and is now an Assistant Professor at Framingham State College
Karen Kaplan ('03) teaches fashion merchandising and costume
history at Lasell College.
Tao Zhong ('03) is Sourcing Manager with Travis Ayers, Inc. in New York
Louise Ott ('04) is teaching at part time at Drexel University and at several
other design schools in the Mid-Atlantic area.
Kate Irvin ('04) is assistant curator of textiles at the Rhode Island School of
Design Museum of Art.
Betsy Lykken ('04) is working on a Ph.D. at the University of Missouri Columbia
Donna Lavalee defended her thesis this summer. She is employed as a textile conservator at the Textile Conservation Workshop in South Salem, New York.
Deb Saville ('06) is working at the Brooklyn Museum in New York
Blair Lustig ('07) is assistant product manager for Corona Curtains in West
Warwick.
Julie Hsu ('07) is Knitwear Designer, Corrupt Design, NY
Katie (Baker) Jones ('08) is an Instructor at the Art Institute International in Kansas City
Sarah Moore ('08) is studying textile design at Philadelphia University