Adult Summer Reading Lecture: Sustainability in the Fashion Industry
Presented by Francesca Sterlacci, Founder/CEO, University of Fashion and Karen Johnson
Learn more about the ways the fashion industry is trying to go green, plus an upcycling demonstration.
Francesca Sterlacci moved from New York City in 2017 to become a full-time resident of Palm Springs. She is the founder of the University of Fashion, the first and largest online fashion education learning platform in the world. University of Fashion maintains a subscription-based website (universityoffashion.com) that provides over 550 on-demand lessons in 13 different fashion design disciplines to high schools, colleges, trade associations, individuals, public libraries. The University of Fashion’s mission is to bring affordable fashion education to the masses and to encourage community building through library makerspaces. Ms. Sterlacci is a former professor and chairperson at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City (1990-2009) where she spearheaded several certificate-based programs and the complete overhaul of FIT’s A.A.S. and B.F.A. degree programs. Ms. Sterlacci also taught graduate level fashion design at the Academy of Art University San Francisco (2006-2012). In addition to designing and operating her eponymous women’s clothing brand from 1980-1990, selling to upscale retailers such as Nordstroms, Saks and Bergdorf Goodman, Ms. Sterlacci has authored and co-authored several books including, Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry, Leather Apparel Design, You Can Do It! Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls, Encyclopedia of Clothing & Fashion and a companion book series to complement University of Fashion videos, Pattern Making: Techniques for Beginners, Draping: Techniques for Beginners and Sewing: Techniques for Beginners. Ms. Sterlacci earned an A.A.S. degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, a B.A. from New Jersey City University and a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration (M.S.ED) at Baruch College.
Karen Johnson has been a resident of Palm Springs for 10 years, having moved from San Francisco in 2014. Ms. Johnson has 20+ years of experience in apparel, home and product design, most notably as a prominent childrenswear lead designer from 1979-2000, for companies such as Espirit, Gymboree, Aeropostale, Marimekko and Nautica. For three consecutive years, Ms. Johnson won the coveted Earnie Hall of Fame award for her work in the children’s market and was a guest lecturer at the Atlanta Apparel Mart. Ms. Johnson founded and operated her own high-end pet apparel manufacturing business, LuLu Pink (2005-2007), before being acquired by Simply She, where she assumed the role of creative director and product development for multiple pet product lines that were sold in more than 3000 Walmart, Petco and PetSmart stores nationwide. As the Director of Design for JLA Home/ Pet Division (2013-2015) she continued her design work in the pet product market, traveling extensively in the U.S., Pacific Rim, South America, and Europe. In 2011, Ms. Johnson founded PJ Creative, an independent design consultancy, where she designed, developed and executed multiple programs for various clients such as Crown Crafts Home-designing infant and kids bedding and packaging for retailers including Disney, Babies R US, Idol Mind, BoBa, and Oly & Wink. As a fashion educator, Ms. Johnson taught basic apparel construction techniques at the Art Institute of San Francisco. As an adjunct design instructor at Idyllwild Arts Academy (2019-2023), she taught all levels of design from beginning to advanced, senior portfolio, color principles, textile art and mentored undergraduate students to develop professional skills, critical thinking, and effective communication through innovative curriculum. Ms. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design from Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri. She has served as a guest lecturer and critic at Moore College of Art & Design and at the University of Cincinnati.
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