Our Creative Minds
Mentor’s Connect
Adrian Mott
Course Director
Adrian’s professional experience spans over 40 years in a broad range of applications and styles. His field of vision covers everything from fashion shoots, photojournalism, and architecture to marketing production and documentary photography. He runs a successful commercial photo studio in central London and is also a Course leader for PG Diploma Photography Portfolio Development at University of the Arts London. As a working photographer Adrian brings a pragmatic and updated approach to teaching. Adrian brings in a huge amount of experience in teaching and educational development including: Development and rewriting of ABC Diploma Course Writing and validation of Post Graduate Courses Development of practice based commercially oriented photography courses Adrian’s work has taken him all over the world including working for the EU government. As a result Adrian has deep understanding of a range of cultures and diversity.
Twinkle Khanna
Celebrity Mentor, academy of Interiors
The beautiful and elegant Tina ‘Twinkle’ Khanna, a former lead actress herself with super hits like Baadshah with Shahrukh Khan, Mela with Aamir Khan and many other Bollywood blockbusters, author of “Mrs Funnybones” is the wife of Bollywood action hunk, ‘Khiladi’ Akshay Kumar, and daughter of the great Rajesh Khanna and the ultra glamorous Dimple Kapadia. One of the most high-end Interior Designers in India. A knack for the right colors, textures and sketches got her going when she interned at the age of 16 with a Mumbai based architect. She first designed a Breach Candy house in 2000, independently. There was no looking back since then. She has made news with every Bollywood home she designed. Her sense of style and design: She was once charged with the task of refurbishing a dark foyer in a bungalow. With an inexistent structural plan, Twinkle actually risked drilling into the foyer ceiling to discover 15 feet of height. She designed the ceiling then, with a rock and metal Spanish style. Putting it together: To cater to her style, ‘The White Window’ stocks up on artistic, creative and Twinkle’s personal preferences of lighting, décor, art, crockery, glassware, silverware, gifts etc.
Ashley Rebello
Star Bollywood Designer & Chief Mentor, INIFD Fashion Design
Star Bollywood Fashion Designer and Fashion Stylist Ashley Rebello is the man behind the new avatar of Salman Khan in ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ ,’Kick’ ‘Dabangg 2’, ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Ready’, ‘Dabangg’ & ‘Big Boss ’. He has also designed Costumes for Bollywood hit films like Ek main Aur Ek Tu, Double Dhamal, Wanted, Welcome, London Dreams, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Page 3, Jo Jeeta Vahi Sikander, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Sarfarosh, Hera Pheri to name a few. The famous International celebrity, Baywatch Star Pamela Anderson sizzled in the beautifully designed traditional attire by Ashley Rebello for her special entry in ‘Big Boss – Season 4’. From ramp shows to divas of the Hindi film Industry from stunning brides to hot models in photo shoot. Ashley has dressed them all. Clothes according to Ashleyare not just something you wear to cover your skin; clothes have to be your skin. You have to be one with that outfit….almost as if you were born for it. He has designed for the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai, stunning Katrina Kaif, the lovely Asin and the elegant Tabu….the list of lovely ladies is endless. He has designed for Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Shahid Kapur, Imran Khan. ‘Clothes make the man’ said Mark Twain. And Ashley Rebello believes he was ever so right. Ashley shot into prominence for giving a new look to Salmaan Khan and Sonakshi Sinha in Blockbuster ‘Dabangg’. He designed for all the hot item numbers starting from Malaika Arora for ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’, Isha Kopikar for ‘Khallas’ to Yana Gupta for ‘Babuji’. Ashley also has to his credit the exclusive gowns that he designs for all important international pageants like Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss India. Ashley Rebello is the most sought after designer who has designed the wardrobe for the hottest women of Bollywood Mallika Sherawat for her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, where she is representing the Indian film industry. AshleyRebello is the rage of Bollywood designing for all happening flicks, Shabad, Dil Mange More, Karam, Kya Kool Hai Hum, Meenakshi, Jo Jeeta Vahi Sikander, Chandani Bar, Biwi No. 1, Haseena Maan Jayegi,Sarfarosh, Hera Pheri and many more. Ashley is one of the rare international fame designers, who is Magician of sorts and can give you a new persona in matter of few seconds. He is the first Indian Designer to design clothes for Oscar winning directors. He is designing outfits for Nicole Kidman (Best known as Mrs. Tom Cruise), Hunter Tylor, an international television actress and many more Hollywood stars.
Joseph Toronka
Fashion Styling
Joseph Toronka has been working in the fashion industry for over 15 years. He studied for a degree in Product development for Fashion at the London College of Fashion. He proceeded to work in Fashion PR for Major brands. He then focused his career on the creative imagery industry working worldwide as a fashion and celebrity stylist with agency representation in the UK, Europe and USA. He has worked in all areas of the styling industry, shooting editorials for publications both in the UK and internationally whilst also shooting campaigns for may prestigious and luxury brands. As a celebrity stylist he has been fortunate to work with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry on projects ranging from pop promos to red carpet events. He continues to successfully work as a stylist and alternates his time with lecturing at the London College of Fashion on Styling program.
Sara Corker
Interior Design & Styling
Sara Corker has been working within the design industry for 25 years. She is and alumni of American Intercontinental University in London. A qualified teacher, trained Colour Therapist and Project Manager alternates between working with her own design company (Sara Corker Designs), teaching and writing courses. She regularly writes articles for the Industry and has just finished writing her book on ‘How to set up a successful Interior business’ – something that she is passionate about. Sara is a Member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and is on the Membership committee.
Fabio Ciquera
Fashion Marketing
Spent the past 16 years in London. Worked in communication departments of major brands like Gian Franco Ferre’, the Chanel Group and Zilli. From 2010, Fabio lectured on Luxury Brand Management and Strategies at IstitutoMarangoni Fabio currently lectures Master Programmes on Luxury Brand Management at Paris & London. Conducts lectures on how to develop the local luxury market in emerging countries like Indonesia and China.
Sarah Manning
Visual Merchandiser
Window Creator of New Dubai Airport, Harrords & Selfridges 20 years Visual Merchandising experience working for London stores; Harrods, Selfridges and Marks & Spencer. Owns freelance Visual Merchandising Company since 2006, working for Harvey Nichols, Jaeger, Zara, Evans Cycles, GHD, Hasbro, Hallmark, John Smedley, Triumph Lingerie, Braun, Kenwood and Delonghi. Sarah also lectures on visual merchandising course at UAL London College of Fashion.
Laura-Lightbody
Celebrity Stylist
Laura Lightbody is a graduate from Central Saint Martins in London As a part of a high performance team of model agents at New York’s premier agency, Wilhelmina. Has her own casting and production company, One Girl Productions. She has styled many celebrities , dressing influential musicians – including Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Gloria Estefan and Cyndi Lauper. She has had the privilege of creating looks for every prestigious award show from The American Music Awards; The Grammys and The Golden Globes, to the all-important, MET Ball. She is the Image creator for hugely successful global group, The Black Eyed Peas, for their final World Tour, The E.N.D. She also lectures on fashionin higher education at internationally renowned universities.
Neil Holbrook
Fashion Designer
Graduate from the London College of Fashion with 20 years experience in Fashion and Retail industries Head of the editorial team for Harvey Nichols Has a vast experience as Fashion Designer and Pattern Cutter Has a vast Retails experience in Buying and has also worked as Visual Merchandiser.
April Glassbrow
Fashion Styling
Graduate from the University of Warwick with over 30 years experience and a lifelong interest in Fashion and Retail Worked as Buyer at Harvey Nichols for Fashion Jewellery, Perfumery and Leather goods and Hosiery Head of Women’s wear at Harvey Nichols
Paul Chambers
Fashion Designer
Paul Chambers attended St Martins School of Art: College for the Distributive Trade course Started career at Selfridges as Visual Merchandiser and was Head of Creative Direction Art Director for Reiss Celebrity Fashion Stylist at Terri Manduca agency. Paul also headed up the Projects and Design teams for ‘Elemental Design’for brands such as Fendi, Harrods and Selfridges. In Germany he heads the Global Windows for Hugo Boss.
Simon Askew
Visual Merchandiser
Simon Askew is professional visual merchandising tutor with over twenty five years working in the retail sector. Simon began his career working for Sainsburys Supermarkets, a major multiple retailer in the UK before moving to Selfridges in London to specialise in the luxury retail sector He has also worked at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge one of the world most prestigious retail stores Simon was also selected for the Retail Masters forum held at Oxford Business School. Now working independently, Simon has begun working with a strong list of well known retail companies based in fashion, food and home offering his professional services and experience from his work in the last twenty five years.
Carlos Palma
Hair & Make up Artist
Carlos Palma has 22 years experience as a professional hair and makeup artist within the fashion industry and has an accredited reputation in New York, Miami and London. His creativity and talents are coveted by industry professionals from photographers, stylists, publishers and celebrities alike. An exposure to a multitude of mediums has facilitated a substantial portfolio clearly demonstrating his abilities.
Gianni Lilliu
Fashion Designer
Finalist at Next Generation Regeneration Milan Own studios in London and Sardinia, specializes in Women’s Wear and bespoke tailoring for men Show cased his unique designs at Washington DC Fashion Week and has had the privilege to dress the models for four years in a row at Top Model UK His beautiful creations have appeared recently in VOGUE Italia