Donna C. Gustavsen
42 Cedarwood Lane, Hope Valley, RI 02832
401-549-3176 Studio / 401-741-0912 Cell
dgstudio1@mac.com
____________________________________________________________________________________
PROFILE





Thirteen years of teaching experience at Rhode Island School of Design in the Apparel Design Department.
Five years of administrative experience as Department Head /Acting Dept. Head.
Extensive experience in garment design and product development in the outerwear, active wear, women’s, and children’s
apparel industries.
Significant achievements with functional apparel design, concept development, fabrication innovations, market research,
technical design, and illustration.
Adept at supervision of prototypes and production at domestic and international locations.
EDUCATION
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN, Providence, RI
B.A. in Apparel Design, 1970 – Graduated with Top Honors
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
RISD APPAREL DESIGN DEPARTMENT

Appointed as Department Head, 2007 through 2010

Acting Department Head of Apparel Design Department, Fall 2006

Acting Department Head, 7/99 to 7/00

Full time faculty member, 2/98 through present

Passed critical review 2005

Department Heads Committee, 2006 / 2010

Headed Search Committee for new full-time Apparel Department faculty member, 2003

Search Committee member for Industrial Design Department and Public Safety, 2002, 2004

Admissions Committee, 1999 through 2004

Disciplinary Committee, 2005 / 2006

Guest critic and juror, 1996, 1997

Senior portfolio critic, 1995, 1996
Full time faculty member:
Courses taught in Apparel Design Department have included Senior Design, Senior Studio, Junior Design, Junior Tailoring
Studio, Junior Cut & Sew Studio, Sophomore Design, Sophomore Drawing, and Winter-session Fashion Drawing.
Department Head:
Administered department of 80 students, 15 faculty members, 2 staff members.
Conducted curriculum planning, implementation of departmental programs, internship program management,
job placement, crisis intervention, and communications within college and externally.
Introduced expanded interdisciplinary opportunities, new initiatives, courses and projects:
o Interdisciplinary course developed and implemented with the Textiles Department, in conjunction with the
Italian Trade Commission, introduced seniors to collaboration and international partnership.
o Interdisciplinary winter-session course between Apparel and Textiles Departments.
o Independent study courses with Industrial Design students.
o Faculty mentor and critic for jewelry design project with KEZA, Rwandan relief organization. Guided two
Apparel Design students in the reinvention of traditional African bead forms.
o Faculty mentor / coordinator for RISD/ GAP sweater project. Assisted 35 students in reinvention of cardigan
sweaters for GAP Innovation flagship store in NYC.
o Coordinated partnership with ELLE Magazine for 25th Anniversary Issue showcasing RISD student design
work in ELLE Magazine and at a fashion show at Lincoln Center in New York.
o Developed mentor program for seniors with industry professionals.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GUSTAVSEN STUDIO
President/Owner

Orthopedic/medical related product design
o Research and Design of Sling-shirt for severe shoulder
injuries through grant from RISD Faculty Development
Foundation. Patent in progress.
2002 – 2008
Aeolus Medical—Design of cold weather mask for
cold induced asthma
2002 – 2003
o


US Department of Justice—consulting, expert witness
Research and testimony on two cases concerning
apparel classification for customs ruling.
Koskoff, Koskoff, Bieder, PC - consultant, expert witness in
court case regarding safety of design and fabrication
of children’s costume, resulting in successful verdict.
2000-2002
2007
Design and technical consulting contracts have included the following
Children’s wear




Women’s wear




Men’s wear





My Twinn Co—(Mast) children’s wear
Mia Bambini, Inc.—infant wear design consultant
Limited Too – technical design of children’s wear
William Carter Company—Christian Dior Division
(Baby Dior and Dior Jeunnes lines)
1996-1998
1996-1998
1998-2000
1982-1984
Galleria Sport—design of women’s sportswear
J. Jill/Nicole Summers—technical design consultation
The Limited Stores—women’s wear
Victoria’s Secret—(Mast) sleepwear development
1997-1999
1997-1999
1986-1989
1985-1988
Skane Ltd.—design of technical ski knitwear
Cape Heights, Inc.—design of men’s outwear
Russel Athletic—illustrations for brochure
Abercrombie & Fitch—(Mast) men’s outerwear
Lego Bekleidungs Werke—West Germany:
Supervised start-up phase of American design team in
German sportswear company.
1997-1998
1997
1996
1988-1989
1979
FULL TIME DESIGN POSITIONS
SUSAN BRISTOL, INC., Charlestown, MA
Head Designer, Dress Division:
1993-1996

Total design responsibility for Better Dress Division including concepts, fabrications, and decorative elements; supervision of
prototype and sample phases.

Involved in print and fabric development with domestic and European art studios

Supervision of dress division, design assistant, freelance designers and interns

Supervision of product development in Hong Kong, India, and domestic factories

Responsible for illustrations and presentation boards used in marketing and sales
REEBOK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Senior Apparel Designer:
1989-1993

Full design responsibility for Technical Outdoor line, Athletic Outdoor line, and Walking Apparel and Warm-Up lines

Position involved market and technical research, development of fabric innovations with the Gortex Corp., and the creation of
unique technical design concepts.

Innovation of functional design elements and constructions in outerwear design

Headed team in presentations for sales events and to the editors of Outside Magazine and Walking Magazine.
MAST INDUSTRIES
Head of Woven Sportswear Division:
1976-1978

Responsible for setting up and staffing new department, evaluating existing systems, and developing 807 import program

Total design responsibility for two lines of woven pants, skirts, and separates

Market research in Europe and US, and interaction with major retailers

Supervision of production in El Salvador and Central America, and cutting operation in Boston