The WindowsWear 2025 National Teacher Professional Development Conference – Fashion Immersion – brought together educators from across the country to explore the dynamic intersections of fashion, retail, art, and education in New York City. Over several days, participants engaged with industry professionals, experienced behind-the-scenes tours of iconic fashion destinations, and deepened their knowledge of curriculum development, career pathways, and experiential learning strategies. Below is a detailed recap of the key experiences and highlights from this year’s immersive program.
The group visited Saks Fifth Avenue to observe its world-renowned visual window displays featuring luxury fashion and themed storytelling.
On the 8th floor of Saks, educators toured the luxury shoe department, known as one of the largest and most exclusive shoe collections in the world at Saks Fifth Avenue.
The visit also included Saks’ reimagined 6th floor, previously part of Barneys, now dedicated to showcasing emerging and established designer collections at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Participants explored the Isabel Marant x Converse collection, a fusion of high fashion and streetwear, as part of Saks’ featured designer highlights.
On the 2nd floor of Saks, educators visited the Charlotte Tilbury beauty counter, where they learned about luxury beauty branding and retail engagement strategies.
At Victoria’s Secret on Fifth Avenue, attendees visited the third floor Champagne Bar and museum, a unique combination of retail and brand storytelling.
The Bergdorf Goodman windows offered educators a stunning example of fashion-driven visual merchandising with artistic seasonal displays.
Inside Bergdorf Goodman, the group explored Linda’s Closet, a curated retail environment created by Senior Vice President Linda Fargo to showcase avant-garde and luxury fashion.
Tiffany & Co. welcomed attendees with elegant window displays reflecting the brand’s legacy in luxury and craftsmanship.
The Yellow Canary Diamond at Tiffany & Co. provided a rare opportunity for educators to see one of the world’s most famous gemstones up close.
Participants also enjoyed a visit to the Blue Box Café at Tiffany & Co., where design and dining intersect in a space inspired by the brand’s iconic packaging.
Inside the Tiffany & Co. flagship, attendees viewed the new Tiffany statue, celebrating the heritage and innovation of one of New York’s most prestigious brands.
The professional development experience included a visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where educators explored fashion exhibitions and broader artistic context to inspire curriculum ideas.
Jon Harari, CEO & Co-Founder of WindowsWear, shared a 400 year history of fashion & retail in New York City.
Benoit Troduer, Senior Vice President of Visual Experience at Calvin Klein highlighted his global retail career with brands like Calvin Klein, Coach, Levi’s, and across cities including New York, Hong Kong, and Brussels, and more.
Educators had an in-depth conversation on textiles with Diana Mahrach, founder of Diana Fabrics, who offered a behind-the-scenes look into her fabric store and boutique.
Attendees visited LIM College’s Fashionopolis, a creative experiential learning lab and collaborative space designed for hands-on fashion education.
Gayla Randel, an expert in fashion curriculum and career education, led a professional development discussion focused on enhancing teaching practices and program outcomes for fashion educators.
Teacher Professional Development – Fashion Immersion – 2025 Presentation
At LIM College, Dr. Eda Sanchez-Persampieri (Dean of Graduate Studies, Associate Professor), Savannah Foley (Department Coordinator, Adjunct Professor), and Jeanine Polizzi (Assistant Professor) presented an overview of the curriculum and instructional methods being implemented in fashion education.
LIM College faculty including Nancy Miller (Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Chair of Fashion Merchandising and Marketing), Joseph Giampietro (Associate Chair and Assistant Professor of Fashion Merchandising and Marketing), Maria Medrano (Vice President of Career and Internship Services), and Diamante Logan (Lecturer) hosted a discussion on career preparation and essential skills needed in the evolving fashion industry.
Ryan Hoey, Director of Admissions at LIM College, presented an overview of the college’s admissions requirements and provided guidance for educators assisting students interested in applying.
Educators participated in a walking tour of Fifth Avenue, including an overview of the art and retail installations curated by the Fifth Avenue Association.
Participants enjoyed brunch at Stella 34 Trattoria, followed by a quick tour of Macy’s Herald Square, the largest department store in the world.
Opening reception at Vintage Green Rooftop – We started the experience with a celebratory rooftop reception at Vintage Green Rooftop, reflecting on our fashion journey above the NYC skyline.
Teachers who participated in the fashion portion of the WindowsWear 2025 conference include: Ashley Shoemaker from South Garner High School (Gardner, NC), Beth Hodges from Middle Creek High School (Apex, NC), Carmen Carter and Cynthia Grant from Dallas College – El Centro Campus (Dallas, TX), Christi Krist from Westside High School (Omaha, NE), Dana Berliner from Rock Hill High School (Frisco, TX), Danielle Shirley from Rock Hill High School (Frisco, TX), Debbie Maupin from Center Grove High School (Greenwood, IN), Emily Thomas from Walnut Grove High School (Prosper, TX), Heidi Strim from Melba High School (Melba, ID), Jaleh Naasz from Cañada College (Redwood City, CA), Katy Scudder from Roseville Pathways (Roseville, CA), Mary Breedlove from South High Magnet, OPS (Omaha, NE), Sara Policky from Omaha South High School (Omaha, NE), Shanin McKavish from California High School (San Ramon, CA), Sharon Rash from Pryor High School (Pryor, OK), Sylvi Schilbach from Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center (Everett, WA), and Tiffany Caro-Sanchez from Prosper High School (Prosper, TX).