BGDC MENTORS & MEMBERS
THE BGDC TEAM
The Basics
Lenese Calllea is the CEO and Founder of the Black N Fashion Podcast, Black Girlz Designer Club Non Profit, Calleea Vatein and LC Consulting and Apparel. She has been in this field for more than 15 years. You can find her in Brooklyn, NY. Lenese is the Founder & President of BGDC.
Her Skills
Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, Sewing, Pattern Making, Draping, Apparel Costing, Fashion Inventory Management & Entrepreneurship.
Her Hobbies
Lenese likes to cook, dance, and loves self care. She spends her time traveling, reading, mediating and journaling.
Contact Her
Phone: 773- 301-2267
Email: lenesecalleea@lcapparelconsulting.com
Website: calleea-vatein-inc.myshopify.com
Instagram: @calleeavatein
Facebook: Calleea’Vatein
Email: lenesecalleea@lcapparelconsulting.com
Website: calleea-vatein-inc.myshopify.com
Instagram: @calleeavatein
Facebook: Calleea’Vatein
The Basics
Zina Lenay is the Fashion Designer and Creative Director behind Zina Lenay LLC. She has 10 years if experience in the field. You can find her place of business in New York City, NY. Zina is the Vice President of BGDC.
Her Skills
Sewing, Pattern Making, Draping, Photoshop, Illustrator, Web Design, Fashion Stylist, Editor, Technical Design, Fashion Blogger, Social Media Management, Marketing, Costume Design
Her Hobbies
Zina enjoys gardening, meditating, attending self development workshops, dancing, listening to music, and learning to play the piano.
Contact Her
Phone: 804.721.0817
Email: zina@zinalanay.com
Website: www.zinalanay.com
Instagram: @tailormadezinalanay
Facebook: ZIna Lanay
Twitter: @zina_lanay
Email: zina@zinalanay.com
Website: www.zinalanay.com
Instagram: @tailormadezinalanay
Facebook: ZIna Lanay
Twitter: @zina_lanay
The Basics
Symone is the Owner of Chaos the Brand. She is a Fashion Designer for women's Apparel & Accessories. Symone is the treasure of BGDC.
Her Skills
Sewing, Pattern Making, Draping,
Photoshop, Illustrator, Graphic Design, Web Design, Fashion Stylist, Editor, Merchandising, Technical Design, Fashion Blogger, Social Media Management, Marketing
Her Hobbies
Symone enjoys playing Billiards(pool), reading, and cooking new recipes.
Contact Her
Phone:
414.324.5376
Email: chaos.thebrand@gmail.com
Website: www.chaosthebrand.com
Instagram: @chaosthebrand, @ladysymonea
Facebook: @chaosthebrand
Email: chaos.thebrand@gmail.com
Website: www.chaosthebrand.com
Instagram: @chaosthebrand, @ladysymonea
Facebook: @chaosthebrand
The Basics
Shaquanna Shontaè is the Designer/CEO of Phénix Elite LLC she has worked in the industry for many years as a custom designer/Seamstress she is now focused on building her brand as a Bag Designer. You can find her in NYC, NY? She is the Events Coordinator for BGDC.
Her Skills
Sewing, Draping, Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketching
Her Hobbies
Shaquanna enjoys painting, sewing, and making Mood Boards.
Contact Her
Phone: (347)209-0514
Email: phenixelite@yahoo.com
Website: www.phenixelite.com
Instagram: @PhenixElite_LLC
Facebook: Shaquanna Shontaé
Email: phenixelite@yahoo.com
Website: www.phenixelite.com
Instagram: @PhenixElite_LLC
Facebook: Shaquanna Shontaé
THE BASICS
Dai is a creative artist and self taught custom fashion designer. She earned a bachelors in Communications and I currently serve in the nonprofit space with an intention to bring valuable resources and outlets to the next generation of creatives. Dai is the Secretary for BGDC.
HER SKILLS
Sewing, Draping, Creating
HER HOBBIES
Fashion has become my way of connecting. Whether I'm connecting with myself or others, fashion is not just about looking beautifulI, but being beautiful, through my act of service. I am excited to be an example of service, grow our fashion community and to continue to push the intention with BGDC forward.
CONTACT HER
Email: handsofdai@gmail.com
THE BASICS
Clenisha Dortch is from Dallas Texas, she is a self taught Designer and Owner of Heirloom. She relocated to NYC in 2023. Clenisha is one of our newest members of BGDC
HER SKILLS
Design & Sewing
HER HOBBIES
Interior Design
Theatre Arts and Film
Cooking
CONTACT HER
Social Media
Facebook:
HeirlumeCouture
Instagram:
@nishathedesigner
Tiktok
@nishathedesigner
Contact:
assist@heirlumecouture
HeirlumeCouture.com
214-924-2579
THE BASICS
Melissa Cano is owner and Founder of Audacious by Melissa since 2017, started since 2017. She has been in the fashion fields for over 10 years. She is from Harlem but based in Queens, NY. Melissa is one of our newest members.
HER SKILS
Sewing, Draping, Pattern-Making
HER HOBBIES
Dancing, draping, blasting music, Karaoke, making my kids laugh
CONTACT HER
Phone: 347-827-7032
email: mightyaudaciousdesign@gmail.com
Instagram: @audaciousbymelissa, @audaciousmelz
Facebook : @AudaciousbyMelissa
Our Mission
No matter our backgrounds, we all aspire to guide young black women on their own successful journeys into the world of fashion. We will help pull our fellow designers through the hardships of the industry to proudly stand at the top.