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Business/Organization: ZW Designs, Inc.

Title: Apparel Line Developer, Tech Designer, Patternmaker

Email: zwd@zwdesigns.com

Biography:

ZW Designs was officially established in 1983. Through making custom apparel and uniforms started in the 70’s, it wasn’t until I was enjoying working as a grader in the apparel trade after graduating with degrees in Fashion Design, Business Admin, and Merchandising from Stephens College, that I realized there were small companies out there that could use our technical assistance as well. We also developed our own apparel lines and marketed them through Apparel Mart.

With the new boom in Georgia in Film/TV/Stage arenas, we have also had the pleasure of working as a Cutter/Fitter/Tailor and other capacities, with costumes, wardrobe, and set dec for various shows and celebrities. House of Curves, The Originals, The Lion King, Selma, Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned, Atlanta, The 15:17 from Paris, Bad Boys III, Coming 2 America, Aretha, Respect and others; artists and actors i.e., beyonce, Jaheim, Diana Ross, Carmen Ejogo, Tyler Perry cast, Donald Glover, Clint Eastwood cast, Coming 2 America cast, and the incomparable Oprah Winfrey, amongst others.

I’ve had a love of this field that allows me to continue in it through all of its transitions throughout the years. There’s a natural proclivity to educate and guide throughout the process. I feel sewn products are sewn products; clothes or products. Rather development and pre-production, designing, liturgical robes, uniforms, custom tailoring, interiors,costumes, production, pattern software, training, or research and consulting. Bringing your dreams to a reality utilizing my and our teams’ skills, is my dream.

I have strong Christian faith and an enduring perseverance. We can use this as well as input from others with wisdom, to empower and encourage you in all the ways we can be of help to our customers and those that cross our path.

Business/Organization: Citi

Title: VP, Learning Design & Development Lead Analyst

Email: trudytrail@gmail.com

Biography:

Trudian, born in Jamaica and raised in the Bahamas, currently serves as a Learning Design and Development, VP at Citi. With a Master’s in Instructional Design and Development and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, she brings a unique blend of technical expertise and instructional design experience to various industries, including corporate and higher education.

Trudian’s research interests encompass professional development, usability, and knowledge retention through interactive learning environments. She has presented her insights at various regional, national, and international conferences.

With over 15 years in Instructional Design, Trudian’s approach is grounded in three core principles: instructional design as a strategic yet creative endeavor, learner-centered design as usable design, and the belief that effective instructional design fosters effective instruction. She emphasizes the importance of creating usable and creative learning environments, aiming to eliminate distractions and ensure users fully experience intended learning outcomes. In her instructional design work, Trudian not only aims to foster creative and usable learning experiences but also inspires others to do the same.

Business/Organization: Henderson Middle School

Title: Principal

Email: suzanewatkins@gmail.com

Biography:

With 18 years in education, including 10 as an administrator, Dr. Suzan Harris is the esteemed principal of Henderson Middle School in Jackson, GA. She has
held positions as a classroom teacher (6yrs.), ELA Coach (1yr.), District Coach (1yr.), high school AP (3yrs.), elementary school principal (3yrs), middle school principal (4yrs.) and distance-learning Adjunct Professor and Principal (4yrs.). She has been honored as the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP) 2023 Middle School Principal of the Year. She was also a 2012 Teacher of the Year at Hubbard Middle School in Monroe County,GA. Dr. Harris has led two schools (2020 and 2023) to win the Student Support Team Association of GeorgiaEducators (SSTAGE) Promising Practices Awards. She currently serves on the GASSP Executive Board and represents Georgia on NASSP’s Board of Directors.

Business/Organization: SPANX

Title: Technical Design Manager

Email: Samera_mir@hotmail.com

Biography:

Samera Mir is a Fashion Technical Design and Product Development professional with 18+ years of extensive experience guiding specialty fashion brands SPANX, Aritzia, Banana Republic, Wilson Sporting Goods, EXPRESS, Abercrombie & Fitch and more to achieve the best design and fit for their customer base. Samera is an expert in Fit, Construction and Quality, specializing in both Women’s and Men’s Apparel, who consistently executes to a high level of aesthetic and functional requirements. Samera began her professional career as a Chemical Technologist, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry but changed career paths 3 years later to pursue her “passion for fashion”. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Samera found the perfect professional fit of Analytical and Creative in the field of Fashion, Technical Design. Beyond designing and creating, Samera is a foodie enthusiast and avid traveler, navigating life, one delicious meal and global adventure at a time.

Business/Organization: Marisa Pereira Consulting LLC

Title: President

Email: glamsens@yahoo.com

Biography:

Marisa Pereira holds a BA in Fashion Design and a BA in French with a minor in Psychology. Her career in Design and Product Development, morphed to Process Improvement and Project Management due to her vast knowledge and experience in the manufacturing space, with a strong emphasis on apparel. She has worked and consulted with companies large and small, to help maximize ideas, efficiency and results which she believes is attainable with a strong work ethic, attention to detail and integrity.

Business/Organization: Raiment

Title: Designer/ Creative Director

Email: raimentsales@gmail.com

Biography:

Atlanta-based Designer, Keisha Fullerton, knew that she was going to be a designer since the age of twelve. Launched in 2007, Raiment (formerly K. Renee Designs) is truly a dream realized. Prior to starting her own company, Keisha apprenticed with talented industry professionals in Atlanta, mastering the intricacies of the art of design, while simultaneously learning the delicate complexities of the fashion industry.

After a five-year apprenticeship, Keisha branched out on her own and created her first apparel collection. Soon after, she landed a coveted position working for celebrity stylist, Tameka Foster which afforded her the opportunity to work closely on many projects with some of today’s most talented and popular R&B and hip-hop artists. Thereafter, Keisha continued to diversify her portfolio by expanding into sales merchandising and marketing, working with top contemporary designers and manufacturers in the wholesale apparel industry. Returning to her first love, she decided to embark on her lifetime vision of fully developing her brand, Raiment. In October 2022 leveraging the partnerships she has fostered for over 20 years in the industry, she decided to enlarge the reach of the collection from solely online into the specialty arena opening. Successfully launching her SS23 Collection to over 30 accounts and growing in the Southeast.

The collection consists of looks ranging from ultra-feminine to sexy chic. With a clever eye for detail and an attraction to color, she focuses on subtle features to emphasize her aesthetic in rich colorful hues. The line reflects the modern attitude of today’s woman. Her desire is to consistently create timeless, versatile looks that embody confidence, style, elegance, and sophistication, for years to come.

Business/Organization: Target Corporation

Title: Design Director / Kids Apparel

Email: kaela.murphy@target.com

Biography:

I am an Apparel Design Director with more than 20 years’ experience developing highly successful, guest focused, and purpose driven owned brands and products for Target. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design in 2004, and was fortunate to build my career at Target starting in entry level design positions, and eventually
advancing to Design Manager & Director leadership roles in Ready-to wear, Intimates & Sleepwear, and Kids Apparel. During my time at Target I have had the opportunity to build, launch, and develop several owned brands across these categories, including the launch of Cat & Jack in Being part of the Cat & Jack launch helped me see the possibilities of what design can do when we are in service of our guest and seek to celebrate them through our product withinclusivity, joy, and value.

I’m passionate about creating joyful products, environments, and experiences by leveraging research, empathy, and creativity to deliver innovative solutions. I am also passionate about sustainability, an advocate for 3D design, as well as efforts to reduce waste, make responsible material choices, and explore opportunities to improve our impact on people & planet. Most
importantly, I strive to be an inclusive leader who seeks out and values diverse perspectives and supports the development of creative talent through mentoring and coaching.

Business/Organization: KaliCollection

Title: Owner

Email: chablevins@gmail.com

Biography:

Cha Blevins has spent over 40 years working in the film business. She started in Los Angeles as an apprentice/stock person at one of the costume houses that services the film industry there. She became a Costume Supervisor, working on such classic films as Star Trek the Next Generation, Hook, Big Fish, Catch Me If You Can, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Any Given Sunday, Beloved, Titanic, Wyatt Earp, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. After moving back to Atlanta 10 years ago and noticing that the expanding film business here had very little infrastructure and support businesses, she decided to open a costume house here that would support the growing number of shows here in town.

With her extensive knowledge of period clothing, and vast contacts from working in the west coast industry for 3 decades she created KaliCollection- 18,000 sq. feet of vintage clothing from the turn of the century to the 1990’s. Her collection has been used on numerous shows including Doom Patrol, George and Tammy, Like, I, Tonya, Cruella, Stranger Things, Raising Kanan, The Wonder Years, Will Trent, Julia, and many more. Always eager to share her years of experience she now teaches and mentors young people looking to learn the craft of costuming for film and tv.

Business/Organization: Ragtrade Atlanta

Title: Founder

Email: angela@ragtradeatlanta.com

Biography:

Angela Watts is an award-winning marketing and communications (marcom) executive, and the founder of RAGTRADE Atlanta, a creative and event production agency, which strategically build partnerships between brands and fashion design talent, retailers, and multi-hyphenate creatives through collaborations, brand launches, experiential marketing, content, and business development programs. Currently based in Atlanta, GA, Watts has led strategy for a variety of global brands and agencies for 20+ years. Since starting her marcom and event production career in 2003, Watts has worked with major brands to produce some of the most memorable fashion moments in Atlanta. Brand partnerships include Macy’s, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Lincoln Motor Company, Microsoft, Atlanta Hawks, Bloomingdale’s, Airbnb, United Artist Releasing, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Arts Institute of Atlanta, Bauder College, and more. A few years later, Watts launched RAGTRADE ATLANTA, a fashion organization committed to developing a sustainable fashion industry for the city of Atlanta. Angela’s progressive work for this underserved community garnered her one of the city’s biggest honors, the City of Atlanta Phoenix Award in 2014. In 2017, Watts was approached by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport to develop and execute Global Runway, a marketing program that successfully merged fashion and aviation through a unique brand experience that highlighted the diverse fashion, lifestyle and beauty options offered at ATL. Since its initial launch, Global Runway has increased retail profits by millions and garnered brand impressions globally. Two years later, Watts continued advocacy and belief in the city’s efforts to shape American style, Watts and her team announced Atlanta Fashion Week official partnership with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment in October 2019. In 2021, RAGTRADE ATLANTA and ATLFW became a founding member of CFDA Connects; a program that recognizes, promotes, and provides business development support to select Regional Fashion Organizations (RFOs), their Fashion Weeks and the Designers based within these key US markets. Passion for others have always played a major part in Watts efforts to give back to young leaders. With a knack for cultivating strong relationships and leveraging resources, Angela provides quarterly mentorship to support creatives and startups who are striving to make a lasting impact in business and entrepreneurship. Watts studied marketing at Georgia State University and has served on the board for Fashion Group International and Black Public Relations Society of Atlanta. Currently, Angela is a board member with the National Black Arts (NBAF).