Miami Fashion Institute

Most recently, Florence curated the acclaimed traveling exhibition “From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana.” This extraordinary project celebrates the artistry of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, honoring their Italian heritage and offering an intimate journey through their inspirations. Today, we are fortunate to experience this vision here in our own city, where Florence’s curatorial voice continues to guide and elevate the narrative.

When:
Wednesday March 18, 2026 @ 11:00 AM

Where:
Miami Fashion Institute
300 NE 2nd Ave. Bldg. 8 – 6th Floor
Miami, Florida 33132

The Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus Student Services proudly hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to unveil its Career Closet.

The Career Closet is a dedicated resource established in collaboration with the Miami Fashion Institute to support our students’ professional journeys.

The event brought together faculty, staff, and community partners to celebrate this milestone, which highlights the college’s commitment to providing students with the tools they need for career success.

Under the guidance of Professor Michelle Pitter, second-semester students from Introduction to Fashion Merchandising showcased their incredible talent by helping curate and stock the closet with professional attire.

Step inside our fashion lab to witness an exclusive fashion illustration masterclass by renowned artist Renato Armijo.

WHEN:
Saturday, March 14, 2026 @ 10:00 AM

WHERE:
Miami Fashion Institute
300 NE 2nd Ave. Bldg. 8, 6th Floor
Miami, Florida 33132

The latest edition of AVESSA Magazine features an editorial on the Miami Fashion Institute’s recent partnership with Florida-based swimwear brand Montce, highlighting a sustainability workshop that challenged students to transform deadstock fabric scraps into innovative, runway-ready designs. Led by Gabriella Smith of The Upcycle Project, the initiative focused on circular design and textile innovation, proving that "waste" can be repurposed into high-quality, functional fashion. By combining Montce’s signature "fit-first" aesthetic with eco-conscious practices, the collaboration—as showcased in AVESSA—serves as a scalable model for how the industry and educational institutions can work together to promote a more ethical and sustainable future for fashion.

Congratulations to our Fashion Design students:
Petter Rodriguez
Milena Cabrera
Deborah Melian
Franklin Torres
Hanna Mayorga
Endjy Joseph
Susan Clark
Milagro Garcia
Catherina Odette
Melissa Brouard

Credits:
Photographer: Oscar Tabares
Fashion Styling: Dana Yurglich, Betina Bak
Model: Ari H
Modeling Agency: Posche Models / The Walk Collective
Hair & Make-up Artist: Emanuelle Duarte
Producer: Flávio Iryoda
Backstage Photographer: Matthew Castano
Photography Assistant: Jeremy Robinson
Videographer: Jesús Molina
Special Thanks: Oscar Lopez

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.

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 over 25 years in business, her work is known for refined craftsmanship, luxurious fabrics, and timeless couture techniques.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Apostol began her career as an Assistant Designer for Christian Dior through RORI International before earning 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, renowned for custom couture, bridal, and millinery. Her designs have been featured in Vogue, People Magazine, CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, and Deco Drive.

Apostol has taught fashion design for over 15 years and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Miami Fashion Institute at Miami Dade College. She has held leadership roles with Fashion Group International and received FGI’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

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.