A former model, Jennavave Barbero always wanted to be involved in the fashion industry. While still a student at CCA, she worked as an assistant to local designer Jean Cacicedo and won an award in 2002 in the first annual Bay Area Fashion Design Scholarship Show, organized by Our Tribe Productions.

After graduation the young designer struck out on her own and moved to New York. Barbero, who found her current job through a friend from church, cites her spiritual strength as a key factor in her success.

At BCBG a typical day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends no earlier than 7:00 p.m. "I source goods, trim, and sketch like crazy," says Barbero. As associate designer, she has myriad responsibilities: merchandise-line planning with the design director; maintaining the sample room; making sure the pattern maker and sewers are making samples to the specs; helping with fittings; and overseeing trim and fabric development. And that's not to mention the paperwork: she tracks all shipping confirmations, packing slips, POs, and invoices.

Asked about her favorite memory of CCA, Barbero's reply is that of a designer: "The satisfaction I felt as I watched my girls on the runway, showing a year's worth of work, was unbeatable."

From Glance, 2004

Born 1975, Lodi, CA

CCA degree:
BFA 2002, Fashion Design

Other education:
Fashion design and merchandising certificates

Residence:
New York, NY

Current occupation:
Associate designer, BCBG

Influences at CCA:
Neysa Young, Pauline Howland, Edward Leaman, Jennifer Minniti