Faculty

Joyce Stevenson Powell is a fashion designer and sewing instructor with hands-on experience teaching garment construction, sewing techniques, pattern interpretation, and custom garment creation. A graduate of Le Fashion Lab, Joyce has also owned and operated her own sewing studio, where she taught students from beginner to advanced levels and helped them develop their technical skills and confidence. Her extensive background in leadership and adult education, including her experience as a facilitator with the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy, brings a unique perspective to the classroom. As an Adjunct Instructor at Le Fashion Lab, Joyce is excited to return to the school as an educator, sharing her knowledge and passion for sewing while helping aspiring designers develop the practical skills they need to bring their creative ideas to life.

Hyunhee Kim is an apparel designer with over 15 years of international experience designing in South Korea and the U.S. She has worked across almost every category in the industry—from womenswear and kidswear to menswear and activewear—for major brands like JCPenney, Sears, Bonobos, and Smockingbird, INC. From first sketch and trend forecasting to tech packs and overseas production, Hyunhee knows exactly what it takes to bring a garment to life. As an Adjunct Instructor at Le Fashion Lab, she’s excited to share her real-world industry insights and help aspiring designers build the practical skills they need to launch their own successful careers.

Victoria is a fashion designer based in Atlanta, Ga. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Fashion and Textile Design from North Carolina State University. She is passionate about computer-aided design, sewing, painting, fashion illustration, and trend forecasting. She currently works as an Associate Designer at Carter’s Inc on the Carter’s and Osh Kosh Toddler Girl’s Playwear team.

A lifelong fashion enthusiast and extremely talented illustrator, Ruchika has been teaching fashion illustration classes throughout the Atlanta area for over 8 years. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Ruchika has earned a 3-yr diploma in Dress Designing and Garment Manufacturing from Sophia BKS Polytechnic, Mumbai; in addition to having more than 7-years of experience working as a Fashion Designer & Merchandiser in her native country, India. She also obtained a certificate in Quality control of garments and textiles from CMAI (Clothing Manufacturers Association of India) and a certificate in Adobe Illustrator from Arena Multimedia, Mumbai, India. Some of her awards include a Vogue design competition in Mumbai, India in 1999; and a diploma in design excellence, organized by “Sanskriti”, Mumbai, India in 2001. Ruchika is passionate about her work in helping student-designers build their fashion portfolio by bringing their vision to life on paper.

Marvalyn Richards discovered her passion for sewing and fashion at a very young age. Her professional training spans several institutions in her native Jamaica—namely Garmex, Madame Francois School of Fashion, Jamaica School of Fashion, and Spencer’s Tailoring—where she refined her skills in sewing, machine embroidery, patternmaking, and both men’s and women’s tailoring, gaining hands-on experience serving clients. During this time, she also supplied her own ready-to-wear designs to a local department store.

After relocating to the United States, Marvalyn continued her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in New York City, where she earned certificates in patternmaking and ladies’ tailoring.

In addition to serving her private clientele, she has worked professionally as a tailor for Lords of Tailoring in Brooklyn, NY.

As Le Fashion Lab’s Lead Instructor, Marvalyn is deeply committed to training and mentoring the next generation of tailors and fashion designers, and she also plays a key role in supporting the technical development of Le Fashion Lab’s faculty.