Medina Charifova

Medina is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She has been teaching haute couture techniques in FIT's world famous Haute Couture Certificate Program for the past 10 years.

Beginning her career in fashion design at the Academy of Fine Arts in the former Soviet Union, Medina later moved to New York where she continued her studies at FIT while working in couture ateliers learning from the masters.

For the past 12 years, Medina has been specializing in custom-made bridal and special occasion clothes for private clients. She has designed for celebrity clients including Whitney Houston and her work has been featured in advertising campaigns and in major magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Glamour and Rolling Stone.

At the University of Fashion, Medina shares her expertise in the areas of couture sewing and embellishments.