ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
ACADEMIC DEAN
DR MANNY ASTON
Dr Manny Aston has a unique tapestry of education and industry experience, he brings invaluable knowledge to any classroom he walks in. Manny has studied and taught across the fields of education, business, marketing, psychology, communications, and creative arts, across VET and Higher Education. Having initially joined us in the early days of Macleay College, Manny has contributed to the academic excellence and the journey of hundreds of students over many years. Manny has continued with us through the transition to ICAT and has been not only an unfailingly optimistic and dedicated lecturer but also a mentor and supporter for so many of our wonderful staff.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
ABBEY DANSON
Abbey has been with The Fashion Institute since 2011 and has overseen the development of all of our fashion programs. She is passionate about inspiring and guiding the next generation of fashion professionals and is always on the lookout for innovative approaches to challenge the boundaries of traditional education models.
COORDINATORS
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
COMMS + MEDIA
RACHEL SHARP
Rachel Sharp holds an MA in Communication and has spent most of her action-packed 25-year career in print and digital media as a writer and editor-in-chief for high-profile luxury brands like Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Marie Claire, and Grazia in Australia, Europe, Arabia, and America. While she may be best known as a fashion specialist, she also has decades of experience in writing and commissioning celebrity, interiors, lifestyle, commercial, and social content.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
BUSINESS
LYNELLE SCOTT-AITKEN
Lynelle holds a BA in Literature & Religious Studies (USyd/Sorbonne), an MA in Communications (UTS) and is keen to embark on a PhD in professional ethics. She has taught at the tertiary level for eight years and enjoys teaching and learning across a range of subject areas including fashion, business, media, sustainability, law, compliance and applied ethics. Lynelle is also a qualified chef.
ACADEMIC COORDINATOR
LISA CAMPTON
Lisa is our much loved and respected Academic Coordinator across all programs. She has 25+ years experience in comms and marketing, having worked in many of Australia's largest agencies including Saatchi's, MediaCom, Mitchells Dentsu, and FCB, steering strategy on big brands including GMH Holden, Glasko Smith Kline, Sara Lee Corporation, BMW and Woolworths.
COURSE COORDINATOR
DIPLOMA DIGITIAL + SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
STACEY VANOSKA
As a journalist-turned-digital marketer, Stacey has extensive experience in all areas of content and social media, including creating complex digital marketing strategies for medium-to-large businesses locally and abroad. She has also worked as a writer and editor on multiple women’s lifestyle websites, magazines and newspapers.
SUPPORT
STUDENT SUPPORT + WELLBEING ADVISOR
ANGELA EVES
Angela understands the many challenges experienced by students. She is available for judgement-free, confidential conversations to support ICAT students and connect with expert resources if required. She has a national accreditation as a Youth Mental Health First Aider, Mental Health First Aid Instructor (MHFA) and is also accredited to Recognise and Respond to Domestic & Family Violence.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT ADVISOR
ADAM JONES
Adam has over 20 years' of experience working with international & domestic students as a teacher, facilitator, Director of Studies, and as an academic advisor. With a background in music & education, he lived, worked, and performed in Brazil for many years before returning home to Sydney in 2016. He has been at ICAT since September 2022 as a Lecturer in the Business Faculty and is our Academic Skills/Support Advisor, as well as consulting in industry.
TEACHING STAFF
ANETA POPOVIC
As a Fashion Design graduate Aneta began her career as a Managing Director of her own fashion business in the heart of Sydney’s Surry Hills, designing capsule collections and trading through her flagship boutique. Transitioning from creative to retail, Aneta embarked on what is a career across many channels of management and operations, working with some of the most well known international luxury brands, fast fashion and Australian Designer labels, spanning more than a decade finally leading her to a now successful career within talent. Today, Aneta is a Managing Partner at TSP, a new stream of talent space, elevating organisations globally by being at the heart of the talent life cycle.
AOFIE COSTELLOE
Aoife has 12 years of experience as a Buyer and Creative Manager working across all areas of a retail business from product design, product development, sourcing, branding and planning. Aoife began her buying career studying at the London College of Fashion and working for one of the UKs biggest department stores. Since working in Australia she has worked with multiple ASX listed specialty fashion retailers building and creating their fashion ranges.
CAMERON HORN
Cameron is an international award winning marketing, marketer, advertising copywriter, creative advertising
CLARE WHITEMAN
Clare is an integrated marketing communications specialist with 14 years’ experience in the Australian Advertising and Media industries. Currently working at EVT, leading the growth & innovation of the Entertainment Division’s (Event Cinemas) Sales Department across 5 business units: Media & Sponsorship, Online Gift Shop, Key Corporate Accounts, Conferences & Events and In-store retail/ Third Party Channels. Prior to EVT, Clare's advertising experience spans a range of industry sectors, from television to radio, digital and now cinema and OOH.
CHRISTINE AI
Christine Ai ('Cai') has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years with various luxury clients globally. Among some of her clients are: Tiffany and Co, Patek Philippe, Prada, Miu Miu, BVLGARI, Guerlain, Moncler, Montblanc, Armani, Fendi, and Fred Jewelery. Cai started her professional career as an environmental and human rights lawyer before working as a music and fashion photographer. She is now a leader in the fashion illustration industry under the brand Soy Street.
CELESTE TESORIERO
Celeste Tesoriero, is an expert in sustainability with international clientele and credentials. She is an experienced speaker, frequently featured on industry podcasts and interviewed for publications such as The Guardian, on current issues and developments in the sustainable retail sphere. With 15 years of international industry experience, including operating her own eponymous sustainable brand, Tesoriero has received seven design award nominations, including WGSNs Emerging Talent award and the International Woolmark Prize. As Sustainability Manager of UK luxury brand Roland Mouret, and a member of British Fashion Council's Positive Fashion Committee, Tesoriero has worked alongside the sustainability experts of Vivienne Westwood, Kering (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga), Matches Fashion, and Selfridges. Her consultancy, Sonzai Studios’ mission is to help make sustainability simple- assisting brands to set and integrate goals, educate their staff, communicate their progress, and plan for the future.
ELLE HALLIWELL
Elle is an author, editor and small business entrepreneur. She has been in the media and communications industry for more than 17 years, working across print, radio and television. Elle began her career in marketing, working for one of Australia's top theatre production companies, before moving into print media, covering fashion, entertainment, travel and lifestyle for publications including The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, The Australian, Vogue Australia, Marie Claire and InStyle. As well as editing the Luxury Lifestyle section for The Australian. Elle is also the founder of a successful wellness e-commerce business, with stockists including The Iconic and By Charlotte.
GEORGINA KAR
Georgina Kar is a Fashion Stylist and Creative Consultant. A talented creative, she has pursued the art of image making for over 18 years, refining her skills through roles in media, advertising and creative agencies. Working within industry leading companies including Getty Images, Bauer Media (now ARE Media) and News Corp, she has developed a powerful toolkit working as a photo editor, booking agent, producer and creative editor.
JESSICA COGNETTA
Jessica Cognetta has experience in various areas of the Fashion Industry. Her professional career began in fashion styling at titles GRAZIA & ELLE Magazine before moving on to work in Public Relations for agencies EVH & MML. Most recently Jessica worked as a talent agent at leading agency IMG. Jessica also is the founder of lifestyle brand SOLAQUA.
JOELY MALCOLM
Adam has over 20 years' of experience working with international & domestic students as a teacher, facilitator, Director of Studies, and as an academic advisor. With a background in music & education, he lived, worked, and performed in Brazil for many years before returning home to Sydney in 2016. He has been at ICAT since September 2022 as a Lecturer in the Business Faculty and is our Academic Skills/Support Advisor, as well as consulting in industry.
LISSA BARNUM
Mexican born and raised, I have lived in Australia for many years. Spanish is my first language. My background is in Film, Theatre, Music, Communication Design, Business & Art. Goes to show that in the Creative Industries, you can complementarily mix and match. As a design educator and practitioner, I am most interested in Social Enterprise and the Innovation that comes with building socio-cultural incentives. I work for Community, i.e. First Nation, Youth, People living with disabilities, Seniors, the Environment.
LIZ ROWELL
Liz is an experienced CEO, Non-Executive Director and Chair and has an extensive advertising and marketing background with global and national businesses and brands. She has worked across diverse industries including FMCG, retail, beauty, health, financial services, travel and tourism, and technology, guiding them through the ever-changing worlds of media, technology and consumer behaviour. She brings her SME business management experience, customer focus and commitment to ESG to the classroom.
LOU ASHTON
Lou Ashton has over 20 years’ experience building and growing fashion businesses through marketing and digital leadership on a global scale. With experience working in large-size, SME and start-up companies in the UK and Australia including TOPSHOP TOPMAN, River Island, Monsoon Accessorize, Jets Swimwear and The DOM, Lou brings world-class experience across all areas of fashion marketing and eCommerce.
LUCY WATSON
Lucy is a marketer, copywriter and content strategist with many years of experience in creating digital and traditional marketing campaigns - including copywriting across print, digital, packaging and outdoor for brands such as the AFR and The Age/SMH, Stomping Ground Brewing Co, Holgate Brewhouse and more.
SABRINA DAMIANO
Sabrina has a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in the communications industry working with global brands in both fashion and beauty including (but not limited to) Mulberry, Charlotte Tilbury, Clarins, Armani, SHOPBOP, Tigerlily, Romance was Born, Kardashian Kollection, Morphe and GUESS. She has worked with luxury, high-street and local brands and combines old world manners with new world charm. She is passionate about teaching the younger generation and runs weekly 'Pitch Bitch' seminars at some of Australia's biggest agencies.
SHELLEY KIRBY
Shelley is an award-winning conceptual thinker and art director. She has spent 15 years working as a creative around Australia and overseas while creating side hustles and tutoring at the country’s top universities.
STELA PEROJEVIC
Gaining strong knowledge and experience within the hospitality industry, Stela supported the opening of some of Sydney’s best known hotel establishments. Continuing her career on an international scale, Stela was appointed as a General Manager, opening Europes largest Yacht Club and hotel facility. Working in cities from Dubrovnik to Amsterdam and Las Vegas has shaped her global perspective and a stint at UNLV inspired her passion for teaching and academic research. She has since built a successful career as a Key Account Manager specialising in talent acquisition strategy across hospitality, retail, sales, tech and beauty; currently being a Managing Partner with a talent and consulting firm.
STELLA MORISON
Stella Morison is a sustainable fashion practitioner. She owns and runs a vintage fashion business, Cusp Online, selling unique vintage pieces and reworked pieces from vintage fabrics, with the aim of disrupting fast fashion without making wardrobe sacrifices. Stella is also a freelance stylist and costume designer for films, series and advertising, focusing on vintage in this space. Stella was a 2022 winner of a Rockstar Hustles grant, supporting sustainably-minded businesses and individuals to innovate in their business practices. She has presented on the economics of vintage fashion businesses for the international Depop sales platform, and she has been profiled in Fashion Journal and PopSugar. Degree-qualified in communications and advertising, Stella has also supported fashion and lifestyle brands with social media strategies and content creation.