Monica Merino
Monica Merino brings her very unique professional experience to University of Fashion, as a designer of millinery, dolls, fashion apparel and as a high school and college educator.
Born in Peru, Monica was inspired by her fashion teacher mother, who created a studio in their living room making clothes for high end boutiques. Once the family immigrated to the U.S. and her mom went to work as a sample maker for several designers in the 1980s, she would bring work home and Monica would help her.
Throughout her career as a New Jersey fashion design high school instructor, Monica’s students earned 85 Gold Medals awarded by the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), including First and Perfect Scores along with 46 Silver Medals at state competitions. In addition, 20 of her students earned scholarships worth more than $100,000 to several fashion colleges and universities, including Centenary University, Johnson and Wales, Berkeley College and LIM.
Monica has worked with high-end hat maker, Christine A. Moore Millinery New York, the official milliner of the Breeders Cup. She has also executed special orders for the famous Kentucky Derby event. Monica’s specialization is in the sculpture and body of a different variety of hat designs.
At Madame Alexander Doll Company, Monica worked full time for nine years. Her primary responsibilities included designing high-end dolls, clothing and accessories, creating production-ready patterns, documenting spec sheets and reviewing product throughout the pre-production stage. She has also worked independently, managing a large quantity of products from concept to production. Monica’s strong skills at knitting and crocheting have added a new dimension to Madame Alexander products. Currently, Monica freelances at MA as a support to the team, creating package specs for overseas production and making samples for their catalog photoshoots.
At Bergen Community College (New Jersey), where Monica is currently teaching, she co-developed a continuing education Certificate Program in Fashion Design, Sewing & Fashion Art along with FIT professor Barbara Arata-Gavere.
Monica earned a BA in Fine Art from Kean University, a Master’s in Education from St. Peter’s University and a teaching license in Clothing, Apparel and Textiles.
At the outbreak of Covid-19, Monica began designing and creating fashionable and custom design face masks for hi-end boutiques, which are featured on her Instagram channel @monicamerinostudio
Monica’s mission is to motivate her students to work to their highest potential as they study the field of fashion design. At the University of Fashion, we are pleased to have Monica teaching our students how to design using Procreate software.
Lessons
CAD Fashion Art
CAD Fashion Art
CAD Fashion Art