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2007-2008

Ms. Angela Arambulo, Creative Director, dELiA*s
Mr. Gary Brody, President, Marcraft Apparel Group
Mr. Jeffrey Brody, Vice President, Marcraft Apparel Group
Ms. Jaz Conlon, alumnae
Elaine De Sousa Crossley, Vice President Merchandise/Planning, Jaclyn Apparel
Mr. Michael Fisher, Fashion Trend Forecaster, Men’s, Stylesight
Mr. Donwan Harrell, President, Founder, Akademiks and PRPS
Mr. Jarvis Jefferson, Vice President of Human Resources, Time Warner, Inc.
Ms. Olga Kontzias, Executive Editor, Fairchild Books
Ms. Rita Nakouzi, Account Manager, Promostyl
Ms. Tamara Rabil, former Presdent, & CEO, Tegna Apparel
Ms. Jemmalyn Santos, Senior Sourcing Manager – Fabric R&D – Madewell 1937/JCrew
Mr. Warren Satchell, Merchandise Manager, Armani Exchange, Inc.
Ms. Marie West, President, Body Wrappers
Mr. Ronny Wurtzburger, President, Peerless Clothing International, Inc.
Mr. Andy Yu, Vice President Product Development, GlobalWise Development

Jeffrey and Gary Brody, Presidents, Marcraft Apparel Group

 

It was inevitable that brothers Jeffrey and Gary Brody would end up in the menswear business. Their father, Sheldon Brody, CEO of Marcraft Apparel Group brought his sons into the company’s warehouse and business meetings long before they were wearing their well-crafted suits. As youngsters they’d work on Saturdays and knew about U.S. customs, embargos, and inseams the way other boys knew about the “infield fly rule” and “double coverage.” Their grandfather started the business that now licenses Jones of New York, Evan Picone, the Trump Signature mens suits as well as department store private-label programs.

The Brodys know that a successful business is based on relationships - listening and understanding what the customer wants and never disappointing them. “The key is to get something people want to buy. That’s why you always come up with new fabrications, new silhouettes and find a way to differentiate your product.

People often ask how they came to carry the Trump line. Jeffrey and Gary’s father knew Donald Trump and said to him, “you should have a tailored clothing line,” and the Donald said, “do it.” The suits are now carried in Macy’s and Canada’s Hudson Bay stores.

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Elaine De Sousa Crossley, Vice President Merchandise/Planning, Jaclyn Apparel

Bio: Native New Yorker, now residing in River Edge NJ.
Education: BA Fairleigh Dickinson University. Postgraduate business courses at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Honors: Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities.
Hobbies and interests: Travel and photography
Career Positions: Vice President Merchandise/Planning and sales responsibilities 1995-currentGHR Industries-Sales and Merchandising 1993-1995
Leslie Fay Intimates-Sales and Merchandising 1992-1993
Lowell Lingerie Co.- Sales and Merchandising 1984-1992
JCPenney Company-1971-1984
Various positions in the NY Corporate office: Management Merchandise Planning, various buying lines to include Sportswear (catalog and retail), Fine Jewelry-Watches, Women’s Accessories and Intimate Apparel.

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Donwan Harrell, Founder, Akademiks and PRPS

If you want proof that graduates of the VCUarts Department of Fashion and Merchandising can fulfill their dreams, look no further than Donwan Harrell.The self-acclaimed “worst sewer in his class,” Donwan and his partners run some of the most successful brands in the country – Akademiks, PRPS and aka Stash House. He’s developed different branches to cater to different audiences. His wildly popular PRPs jeans are based on the life of a mechanic – each striation, indentation, crease, scar and abrasion is based on what a mechanic would go through when assembling a car. Donwan’s creations are the best-selling jeans in stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Fred Segal.His advice to fashion students? Learn how to use the computer. Learn Illustrator and Photoshop. Learn about fabrications and pay attention in math class. “If you have a dream or desire, keep working at it. You have to work hard. They’re not going to pop up and be there.”Donwan is an avid reader of car magazines, owns 13 vintage cars (his favorites are those made by Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge in 1962-1971), and when he’s not working, he’s watching American Idol with his kids.

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Olga Kontzias, Executive Director, Fairchild Books

Publishing giant Condé Nast has one book division, Fairchild Books, which is headed by VCUarts Department of Fashion and Merchandising Advisory Board member, Olga Kontzias. Fairchild Books publishes textbooks about fashion design and interior design – nothing else. With such a specific niche, Olga has become quite familiar with fashion education and says that VCU’s fashion department is “a hidden treasure.”“

The fact that all VCU design students start in the Art Foundation program, is a very good model,” she says. “And I like how Karen Videtic pays attention to what the industry wants.”

Olga started as a production editor. She coded and evaluated manuscripts and learned editing from all angles. She seeks out authors who have something to teach fashion and interior design students. “Talking to faculty and giving authors the opportunity to write what they really want makes a difference,” she says.

Olga is a world traveler and she writes journals from her many travels. Her “must-see” destination? Chios, Greece.

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