Faculty Bios
Ellen Sears
Director, Online Fashion
School of Fashion
Ellen Sears has experience in store operations, merchandising, profitability improvement and team building at such companies as Macy's, Burberry, The Limited and Jones Apparel Group. She joined the School of Fashion in 2007 as a MFA and BFA management instructor. Her new role will help strengthen the global reach of online education. She is a graduate of the University of California.
Iliana Ricketts
Assistant Director, Online Fashion
School of Fashion
Iliana received her MFA in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University in 1999. Iliana launched her own line of tailored women’s wear, ILYA, in 2002. At the same time she also worked as a part-time instructor at the Academy of Art University and has had numerous freelance jobs as a designer, illustrator and consultant. Before becoming the Assistant Director of Online Fashion, Iliana worked as the Creative Director of GGblue, a lifestyle and golf line sold in over 300 stores across the US.
Nelson Cantada
Full-time Faculty
School of Fashion
Nelson received his BFA in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University in 2002. After completing his degree, Nelson spent a year in Paris studying at Studio Bercot through the Academy's Paris Exchange Program and interned with Designers Sharon Wauchob and Tom Van Lingen. Before joining the Academy in 2011, Nelson designed for Laundry by Shelli Segal, Velvet by Graham and Spencer, BCBG and Max Azria Collection.