FIT Talks: Barbara Arata-Gavere Interview

Barbara Arata-Gavere interviewed by Karen Trivette.As a New York-based fashion designer, Ms. Arata-Gavere began her career designing special occasion dresses for high-end boutiques. Currently, under her own label, Barbarata Exclusive, she designs and constructs custom-tailored jackets and stage wear for performers, such as Daryl Hooper of The Seeds.Ms. Arata-Gavere has uniquely combined her design skills with a very impressive career in education. First, as an instructor at Bergen County Technical Schools (New Jersey) for 29 years, where she received several awards, including Teacher of the Year and as an FCCLA Chapter Advisor, creating their first Fashion Design Competition.Ms. Arata-Gavere's textbook, Exploring Fashion Design, published by the Curriculum Lab at Rutgers University, has been extensively used by vocational schools throughout New Jersey.For the last 18 years, Ms. Arata-Gavere has been an Adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology where, in the fashion department, she teaches a variety of classes including, draping and construction.Ms. Arata-Gavere is also the founder of Fashion Design Workshop, where she conducts various skill-based fashion workshops for high school and college students. She has recently joined the faculty at Bergen Community College's Continuing Education Department.In addition, Barbara Arata-Gavere often exhibits her custom fashion designs in various museums in New York City and New Jersey