Donna Tartaglione Berger began her career in fashion as a fashion designer and illustrator after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her experience in the industry spans fashion design, graphic design, illustration, and CAD implementation. Her design experience includes companies such as: Emanuel Ungaro, Jones NY, Marc Andrew, Larry Levine, S.Rothschild, Members Only, and Donna Karan. After many years of designing in the fashion industry, Donna started her own business and is a successful entrepreneur with an athleisure brand concentrated on today’s trends, fashion forecasting, and branding in the world of social presence.

As a designer, educator, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of fashion industry experience, Donna has a proven track record in connecting fashion, creativity, technology and student success as her passion continues to ‘give back’ to her students. Her knowledge and years of experience help students thrive in an environment that is unique and challenging.

She currently teaches part-time at The Fashion Institute of Technology and at Parsons The New School of Design.

Donna also volunteers as an artist/photographer for children’s organizations including the Make A Wish foundation and Operation Warm.

Website:  http://donnatberger.wixsite.com/donnatberger

Donna Berger teaches the following FIT Precollege Classes:
JSX050: The Fashion Cycle
JSX060: Red Carpet Fashion
JSX 019: Fashion History: Trends Through the Decades

On Precollege Programs:
FIT’s Precollege Program is a wonderful opportunity to teach and introduce students interested in fashion within a college setting.  They get a good feeling from the workshops, campus, people, and all the creativity surrounding them.  I wish these programs were available when I was in middle/high school.  We always have a wonderful time together and I love seeing the smiles, and self-confidence on their faces as we create the projects!

Teaching Philosophy:
I love to work with driven students in a creative, inspiring environment and help them learn the skills they need to move forward. My students are engaged in personal hands-on projects as they are able to choose a topic of interest and apply the skills we are learning along the way. I find that when students get to research their own interest, it is a true passion-based learning experience. It’s amazing to see how they grow through the workshops; artistically and socially.