Personal Style Course Mentors

Personal Style Course Mentors

  • Danielle Appleton

    Danielle Appleton

    Danielle is a veteran personal stylist and fashion designer. She has worked with the notable brands Rocawear, Calvin Klein, VH1, and MTV. She was the personal stylist for Young Jeezy and her designs have been worn by Lil Kim, Usher, Trey Songz, Russel Simmons, B.O.B., Wale and Keyshia Cole.

  • Joseph DeAcetis

    Joseph DeAcetis

    Joseph DeAcetis is a fashion industry veteran and Creative Style Director for Forbes Media. His specialties are menswear and luxury markets. His career highlights include Global Fashion Director at Playboy Magazine. Joseph has contributed to countless videos and articles for USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and WWD to name just a few. He currently teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

  • Valerie Halfon

    Valerie Halfon

    Valerie Halfon was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural communication from Florida Atlantic University. In October 2010, Shop With Val was born. Valerie currently has a number of partnerships with boutiques and designers throughout Manhattan. She is the featured personal shopper at some of the city's top boutique hotels.

  • Pattie Barbosa

    Pattie Barbosa

    Pattie Barbosa has worked in every venue of the fashion industry. This includes costuming for film, movies, TV, opera, news, soap operas, fashion shows and editorial. Pattie has been teaching at FIT for 14 years. She created its Costume Design Wardrobe Technician Program in Continuing Education. Pattie currently works in styling and wardrobe on Broadway, The Metropolitan Opera and for Al Jazeera News.

About Our Mentor Program

We are the only online school that gives you access to a professional designer who will act as your teacher and mentor.

You will benefit from a personal relationship just like you would get in the classroom. Our mentors are there to answer your questions via phone or email at every turn.

In addition, you will submit projects throughout the course which will be evaluated by your teacher. They are there to help you improve as you master the craft.