- Carmen Webber
AGE: 37
HOMETOWN: Charlotte, N.C
EDUCATION: Architecture at Savannah College of Art & Design
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Tracy Reece, Epperson and Byron Lars
FASHION MUST: A fantastic shawl or scarf that can be worn in many different ways.
North Carolinia native, Carmen, has had a love for fashion since a young age. She was modeling in trunk shows for Alexander Julian, DKNY and Anne Klein at 16. In high school, she began taking fashion merchandising courses through the DECCA Club and competed in a regional contest for fashion marketing and branding. In 1989, she began studying architecture at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), but later went on to double major in fashion design and illustration. Completing a four-year program at SCAD, she graduated cum laude and was named as top fashion designer of her class.
After graduation, Carmen moved to Paris where she interned for Christope LeMaire, who studied under Christian LaCroix and is now the head designer for Lacoste. She also worked as a sales associate at one of Paco Rabanne’s first ready-to-wear boutiques in Paris. Carmen showcased her first ready-to-wear collection at La Couple Jazz Club in Paris in 1996. After four years in Paris, Carmen moved to the “big apple” to launch her Harlem-based clothing line in the fashion capital.
In the summer of 2001, Carmen launched the “Sistahs of Harlem” clothing line with partner Carmia Marshall, a wardrobe stylist in the film and television industry. The clothing line started in humble street fairs where she sold handbags and deconstructed
t-shirts. Carmen has done line building for a private footwear company working with top European and American brands. Marshall and Carmen co-wrote, “T-Shirt Makeovers 20 Transformations For Fabulous Fashion,” a do-it-yourself book, in stores now. Their second book will be out in 2008 with a focus on denim.
- Chris March
AGE: 44
HOMETOWN: San Francisco, CA
EDUCATION: Self taught
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Dior
FASHION MUST: Bright colored anything
Chris is a freelance Costume Designer in New York City with a client list that includes Cirque du Soleil, Madonna and Thierry Mugler. Originally from San Francisco, he has always kept his eye on a career in fashion.
Chris’ work on the giant trademark hats and wigs of America’s longest running show, “Beach Blanket Babylon,” earned him great acclaim. Without any formal costume or fashion education, he garnered an impressive client list. His love of costuming, fashion, and acting, led him to pursue his fashion design dreams in New York, where his achievements include a “Drama Desk Award” nomination for outstanding costume design. Chris has created looks and styles for many designers that have appeared on “Entertainment Tonight,” “Martha Stewart,” “Rachael Ray,” “Tyra,” “Today,” E! and MTV.
Classic designers like Dior and Chanel, as well as trailblazers like Thierry Mugler, Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano inspire Chris. However, he says he’s always had an unmistakably unique vision and talent that includes sculptural lines, lush fabrics, humor and an unpredictable use of materials. Chris says he designs for the woman who wants to stand out in a crowd.
- Christian Siriano
AGE: 21
HOMETOWN: Annapolis, Maryland
EDUCATION: Baltimore School For The Arts and The American Intercontinental University, London
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: McQueen and Westwood
FASHION MUST: Amazing jacket or blazer
Christian, the youngest of the contestants in season four, is a freelance designer who travels between New York City and Los Angeles, working with designer Rosetta Getty.
Born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland, Christian began his career in fashion at the early age of 13 working for a local trendy salon “Bubbles.” Creating costumes for the yearly hair show competition while he attended the Baltimore School For The Arts, his hunger for fashion became apparent and upon graduation he took an international leap toward his future at The American Intercontinental University, London. Quickly adapting to the fashionable European lifestyle, he showed a small collection during London Fashion Week in Fall 2005. Christian was given the opportunity to work for the queen of punk herself, Vivienne Westwood, where he gained valuable experience, leading him into a position at Alexander McQueen his senior year.
- Elisa Jimenez
AGE: 42
HOMETOWN: El Paso, Texas
EDUCATION: Master of Fine Arts in Combined Media with an emphasis on sculpture, performance and installation from the University of Arizona, Tucson
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Erte, Jean Cocteau, Madame Gris, Zaldy, Norma Kamali
FASHION MUST: A great pair of boots
An interdisplinary artist, Elisa, 42, recently moved to back to the desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico after 13 years of thriving in New York City. She built the foundation of her work around “The Hunger World,” a psuedo-fictious world of marionettes brought to life and mythos through writing, drawing, painting, performance, installation, and fashion. However, fashion has been her predominant “accidental” career income and reputation.
Elisa’s education began with being the child of two highly respected artists, sculptor Luis Jimenez, and long time head designer for Fitz & Floyd, Vicky C. Balcou. In 1983, she graduated from the Arts Magnet High School of Visual and Performing Arts in Dallas as the Nat Foundation for The Arts most promising artist. She received a Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, with a minor in anthropology before receiving a Master of Fine Arts with a minor in classics from the University of Arizona.
Vogue discovered Elisa and has consistently acknowledged her as the forefront of the new avant-garde, as well as the top 10 American Designers in the independent realm. Additionally, she has appeared in the pages of “Harper’s Bazaar,” “Elle,” “Dutch,” “Black Book,” “Paper Mag,” “Jane” and “Trace.” Her celebrity work includes Melissa Auf Der Mar, Cher’s “Believe” album, Jennifer Connelly’s character in “Requiem for A Dream,” Marisa Tomei, Courtney Love, Sarah Jessica Parker, “Sex in the City,” Pink, Cameron Diaz, and famed art photographer, Cindy Sherman. She was invited to be in the Barabacan’s exhibit and book, “Rapture: Art and Fashion since the 1970’s,” curated by Chris Townsend of London and was represented by Holly Solomon, influential art dealer, in the last seven years of her life.
Currently, Elisa is proudly continuing her life, fashion and art with her partner and daughter in her new home in New Mexico.
- Jack Mackenroth
AGE: 38
HOMETOWN: Seattle, Washington
EDUCATION: University of California at Berkeley with a double degree in Fine Arts and Sociology and Parsons School of design
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Diane Von Furstenberg, Alexander McQueen (For Men)
FASHION MUST: A sugar daddy
Jack, 38, originally from Seattle, Washington is a swimmer, model and fashion designer. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a double degree in Fine Arts and Sociology. In 1991, Jack moved to New York to attend Parsons School of Design where he studied fashion design. Fresh out of Parsons, Jack opened a menswear store in the uber chic West Village called “Jack.” There, he showcased new designers alongside upscale brands such as Gaultier Junior, Diesel and John Richmond. In 1997, he went to work for Tommy Hilfiger and then designed for the Slates brand, which is under the Levis umbrella. For the past 4 years, Jack has been the Design Director at Weatherproof Active Wear.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jack has also received national recognition as a competitive swimmer. He has three All-American titles to his name and set a national record in the summer of 2006 in the breaststroke leg of the 4 x 50 meter medley relay. As a fitness and fashion model through the 1990’s, Jack appeared in such magazines as “Paper,” “DNR,” “Men’s Fitness,” “Men’s Journal,” “Genre,” “Blue” and several others. Jack has also always been very open about his positive HIV status. Since his diagnosis in 1990, he has tried to combat the stigma of HIV by living honestly and being a role model through professional and athletic achievements.
Currently Jack is developing his own line of men’s dress shirts and dress pants and hopes to expand into all aspects of men’s sportswear. He is also working on a memoir about his life experiences