Meet the Team
At Miami Fashion Institute, courses are taught by faculty with decades of real-world experience brought directly into the classroom. MFI instructors are not only educators but active artists, designers, and business professionals who have built their careers within the fashion industry. Their experience includes working with some of the most recognized names in fashion, including Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, Isabel Toledo, Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, and Zac Posen. This industry-driven approach ensures students learn from professionals who understand current market demands, creative workflows, and business realities. Faculty translate professional practice into practical instruction, mentorship, and real case scenarios, preparing students to navigate the fashion industry with confidence, skill, and a clear understanding of how it truly operates.
Administration
OSCAR LOPEZ
Chairperson | Fashion Programs
Oscar Lopez serves as Chairperson of Fashion Programs at Miami Fashion Institute, bringing practical experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, and industry engagement. Previously at Miami International University of Art and Design, he led the alignment of fashion curricula across eight campuses, strengthening academic consistency nationwide. He has built strong industry partnerships that create direct, real-world opportunities for students. His leadership has been featured in Modern Luxury Magazine and Brickell Magazine. Mr. Lopez is a former Regional Director and current District Director for Fashion Group International, overseeing South Florida, Chicago, Washington DC, and Philadelphia. Under his leadership, FGI South Florida received the National Programming Merit Award in 2019. Prior to academia, he worked in Human Resources at the Saks Fifth Avenue corporate office. He holds an M.P.S. in Fashion Management from Parsons School of Design, an M.A. in Design and Media Management, and a B.S. in Psychology.
Mia Causevic
Assistant to Chairperson & Advisor | Fashion Programs
Born in Croatia and raised in Italy, Mia Causevic is the Assistant to the Chair and Advisor at the Miami Fashion Institute. She brings a global perspective and diverse experience in fashion, education, and athletics. After earning a BA in Fashion Design and Communication from NABA in Milan, she managed contests and events for the academy and collaborated with top Italian brands, including Romeo Gigli, Angela Missoni, and Max Mara. She later worked in retail management as a Clothing Buyer for Men’s Wearhouse in California. Since moving to Miami in 2019, she’s combined her fashion expertise with her passion for sports as co-owner and brand manager of Miami Wave Volleyball Club. She holds an MPS in the Business of Fashion from LIM College and is dedicated to helping creatives grow into successful professionals.
Betina Bak
Advisor and Coordinator | Fashion Programs
Betina Bak is a fashion designer, stylist, and educator with a diverse international background and over a decade of experience in the fashion industry. She holds an Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Styling from Miami International University of Arts & Design and a BA in International Business from Copenhagen Business Academy. Betina is the founder of ByBakDesign and co-founder of TwoDanes, where she specializes in styling, closet edits, and personal shopping. Her work includes runway styling for Miami Swim Week, New York Fashion Week, and commercial campaigns for Ulta and St. Regis, while also guest lecturing in advanced styling masterclasses at Instituto Haute Couture in El Salvador. As Professional Coordinator and Academic Advisor at the Miami Fashion Institute, she supports students and faculty. Betina is passionate about helping creatives refine their vision and thrive in the fashion industry.
Christopher McCready
Lab Manager | Fashion Programs
Christopher McCready is a multidisciplinary artist and designer with expertise in fashion design, visual arts, and education. He holds an MPS in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management from LIM College and a BFA in Fine Arts from The Cooper Union. As Lab Manager at the Miami Fashion Institute, he oversees daily operations, streamlines systems, and coordinates industry workshops to enhance student learning. Christopher’s fashion experience includes internships with Dion Lee and Christian Cowan, supporting high-profile campaigns and collaborating with stylists. A YoungArts Finalist and alum of Design and Architecture Senior High, he discovered his passion for teaching through Cooper Union’s Saturday Program. Christopher blends creative vision with operational strategy to inspire students and support innovative fashion projects at Miami Dade College.
Faculty
Carlos M Rico
Instructor | Fashion Design
Born in Colombia and raised in Miami, Carlos Rico developed an early passion for art and design, which led him to fashion. He completed his A.A. at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York while working as a design assistant for Benjamin Cho and collaborating with Kimora Lee Simmons. He later earned a BA Honors and an MA in Menswear Design from Central Saint Martins in London, where he also interned at the Alexander McQueen fashion house. After returning to New York, he worked under Phillip Lim and collaborated with multiple designers on a freelance basis. He launched his own menswear brand and was shortlisted for GenArt’s Young Designer Award. Back in Miami, he shifted toward education, serving as a fashion adviser at Miami International University and now joining MFI. His experience spans menswear, womenswear, graphic design, textile pattern design, and digital illustration, with a strong commitment to bringing global training to the local community.
Saul Kapilivsky
Assistant Professor | Fashion Design
Professor Saul Kapilivsky is a fashion designer and educator with over 39 years of experience in the industry. Raised in a clothing manufacturing family, he began designing fabric at age 9 and went on to earn an MFA in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University, along with degrees in Graphic Design and Fashion Merchandising. A finalist in the Air France Concours International des Jeunes Créateurs de Mode, Saul has designed bridal and eveningwear collections, owned his own business, and sold to major department stores and boutiques. He has dressed celebrities and pageant contestants and managed all aspects of production and sourcing. Currently, he teaches at the Miami Fashion Institute and designs for J del Olmo Bridal Gallery, sharing his deep expertise with the next generation of fashion professionals.
Jill Odermann
Adjunct Faculty
I have enjoyed three decades working in the business of apparel design and production. I attended design school in Chicago after which, my first and second jobs were as dancewear designer and pattern maker. Years later I moved to a large national department store chain as Technical Designer for Asian production across multiple markets. Eddie Bauer Int’l Americas offered me a Technical Design management position here in Miami working directly with the factories in South Africa and the Caribbean in private brand.
Post Corporate, I have taught for twelve years at many local institutions receiving training for teaching at the high school and university levels. I’m grateful to now be able to mentor and share with my students here at MFI.
ACUE Certified Instructor
B.A. from Ray College of Art, Chicago and the University of Wisconsin
Joanne DeMartini
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Merchandising
Professor DeMartini brings over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, starting in retail at Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bonwit Teller, where she held roles in buying and merchandising. She later transitioned to wholesale, launching a petite division and becoming President of R & K Dresses. After running her own dress companies, she joined The Jump Design Group, serving as President of the Marina division and VP of International Sales. She developed product lines, managed global sales, and represented the “Tiana B” brand on international shopping channels like QVC UK, TVSN Australia, and CNR Mall China. Her efforts helped expand Jump’s reach to over 33 countries. In the past years, Prof. DeMartini has transitioned her career to teaching fashion courses on the college level at institutions such as the Fashion Institute of Technology, International Trade and Marketing, and LIM in New York.
Julian Asion
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Design
Julian Asion graduated from Miami Dade College with a degree in Fashion Design in 1972. He then worked in the industry in Miami for several years before moving to New York to further develop his craft. Asion worked as the premier (master) man’s for some of the most important names in America’s Fashion Industry: Zac Posen, Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez, Isabel Toledo, and Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Collection, among others. Notably, during his time with Toledo, he assisted in creating garments for former First Lady Michelle Obama. After decades in the industry, Asion transitioned to education, serving as a professor at the Miami Fashion Institute at Miami Dade College, where he teaches creative design and mentors the next generation of fashion professionals. As the instructor for Creative Design, Julian oversees the final semester collections—the ultimate precursor to the Miami Made Graduation Fashion Show.
Leonardo De Armas
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Design
Professor Leonardo De Armas is an ACUE Certified Instructor with a B.F.A. in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design, where he studied under legendary figures in American fashion. After graduation, he launched his own design studio, creating luxury ready-to-wear, bridal, and evening collections for a global clientele. Alongside his design work, he has taught at educational institutions and art foundations across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. He believes a successful professor is a communicator who inspires and motivates students through integrity, creativity, and mentorship. A recipient of the Gold Thimble Award for Design Excellence, he is dedicated to nurturing aspiring designers and helping them develop their talents, values, and professional vision in the fashion industry.
Stephanie Dickstein
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Merchandising
Professor Stephanie Dickstein is a seasoned fashion industry professional and educator with over 20 years of experience as a buyer, product developer, and fashion director. She began her career at Burdines and rose to leadership roles at Macy’s New York and Carson Pirie Scott, where she launched trendsetting departments and directed national buying strategies. Her eye for fashion was honed early through retail experience with her mother and refined through global fashion shows and product development. Stephanie holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Miami and a Master's in Art Education from FIU. She’s worked with top models, curated catalogs, and forecasted trends, blending art and commerce. Now, she shares her expertise with students, emphasizing the importance of visual literacy and customer insight in fashion.
Matilda KaLAveshi
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Merchandising
Matilda Kalaveshi began her career in the international fashion industry in Europe before transitioning to the U.S. retail market at Macy’s Corporate Inc., where she built a strong foundation in buying and retail strategy. Over the past 17 years, she has worked with retailers across the Southeast in roles including fashion buyer, planner, senior buyer, fashion director, and consultant. She currently leads a retail consulting boutique, advising brands and retailers on growth and profitability. She also serves as the Downtown NEWS Business Correspondent, covering retail trends, consumer behavior, e-commerce, and emerging brands. Her professional focus is connecting fashion with business strategy to prepare students for today’s retail landscape. She holds an MBA in International Business and a BA in International Business and Marketing from Florida International University, as well as a certificate from EDHEC Business School in France.
Michelle Pitter
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Merchandising
Michelle Pitter is an Adjunct Professor at the Miami Fashion Institute, bringing over 13 years of experience in higher education and senior design management across fashion and beauty. She combines creative vision with strategic thinking to prepare students for success in the industry. Michelle is passionate about guiding students through trend development, concept design, and integrated marketing projects that connect classroom learning with real-world practice. Her teaching style fosters an interactive and supportive environment, whether in large lectures or small group settings, helping students build confidence, skills, and professional networks. Dedicated to unlocking student potential, she emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and career readiness. Michelle is excited to be part of the Miami Fashion Institute team and looks forward to an inspiring and productive semester.
Alberto Ravelo
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Design
Alberto Ravelo is a Professor of Fashion Design & Technology at the Miami Fashion Institute, bringing over 23 years of international experience to his role as educator, innovator, and entrepreneur. A graduate of Central Saint Martins and doctoral candidate at FIU’s School of Architecture, he pioneers research in AI-driven fashion intelligence, 3D patternmaking, and digital fabrication. Alberto is the founder of AR Couture LLC and creator of BespokeTailoring.ai and The Stitchery, ventures that merge fashion, technology, and education. He is a Fellow at FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator and holds certifications in luxury branding, adaptive fashion, and advanced 3D design software. Guided by his “Fun-Fashion” philosophy, Alberto transforms classrooms into collaborative spaces that inspire creativity and prepare students for the future of fashion.
Jose Solis
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Design
Jose is a seasoned fashion designer and educator with a career spanning iconic names in the industry. Born and raised in Miami to Cuban parents, he pursued his passion at Parsons School of Design in New York City. His design journey includes work with Ralph Lauren, Emanuel Ungaro, and Oscar de la Renta. In the early 2000s, he co-founded and served as Creative Director of Bill Blass New York, later becoming VP of Design at David’s Bridal, where he designed for Vera Wang, Cynthia Rowley, and Jenny Packham. Jose returned to Parsons as a faculty member in 2023 and moved back to Miami in 2024. He is proud to be part of the MDC family, where he continues to inspire future designers through creativity and mentorship.
Tammy Apostol
Adjunct Faculty | Fashion Design
Tammy Apostol is an internationally recognized fashion designer, entrepreneur, and educator, and the founder and Creative Director of TA Couture, a Miami-based Couture fashion house serving an exclusive clientele from Palm Beach to Miami and beyond. With more than 25 years in business, her work is known for refined craftsmanship, luxurious fabrics, and timeless couture techniques. Born and raised in Venezuela, she began her career as an Assistant Designer for Christian Dior through RORI International and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design from Marymount University in Virginia. She launched her Miami couture studio in 1995, which evolved into TA Couture, specializing in custom couture, bridal, and millinery. Her work has been featured in major media outlets, and she currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Miami Fashion Institute at Miami Dade College.