Mentors
At INIFD, we believe that the best way to learn is through experience, and that’s why our mentors, who are the pioneers of the fashion and interior design industry, provide students with hands-on training and valuable insights that help them unlock their full potential and achieve their dreams.Mentors are like beacons of light that guide us through the darkness of our journey towards success.
With a culture that fosters creativity and encourages experimentation, INIFD is the perfect place for aspiring designers to learn and grow.
Our Chief Mentors
Manish Malhotra
Fashion Designer, Costume Designer And Entrepreneur
Manish Malhotra is a veteran celebrity fashion and costume designer and a successful entrepreneur. He has been designing costumes for Bollywood for over three decades and has established a solid foothold in the Indian film fraternity. As INIFD’s student, you can undertake the online course by the designer that covers nine riveting modules. Attending this course helps you access his knowledge, experience and skills via extensive video lectures and study material that aims to amplify student’s skills and prepare them for the big and competitive race of fashion design.
Twinkle Khanna
Celebrity Mentor, Academy Of Interiors
Tina, Twinkle Khanna, is a former lead actress, who has delivered super hits like Baadshah with Shahrukh Khan, Mela with Aamir Khan and many other Bollywood blockbusters. She also is the author of “Mrs Funnybones”. Twinkle Khanna serves as the chief mentor of the interior design programs at INIFD South. She interned with a Mumbai-based architect at the age of 16 and has come a long way with experience and expertise to guide the students in becoming high-end interior designers in India.
Ashley Rebello
Star Bollywood Designer & Chief Mentor, INIFD Fashion Design
Ashley is a celebrity fashion designer. He is the creative brain behind the new avatar of Salman Khan in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kick, Dabangg 2, Ek Tha Tiger, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Ready, Dabangg, Bodyguard, and Big Boss.
He has also designed costumes for Bollywood hit films like Ek main Aur Ek Tu, Double Dhamal, Wanted, Welcome, London Dreams, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Page 3, Jo Jeeta Vahi Sikander, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Sarfarosh, Hera Pheri to name a few. Ashley also has dressed famous global stars like Baywatch Star Pamela Anderson.
As a chief mentor of fashion design at INIFD,he offers his creative vision that includes elaboration on the fine intricacies of designs, fashion forecast trends, and the art of designing and styling. His support and guidance help students build and present their portfolios effectively.
Our Mentors
Adrian Mott
Course Director
Adrian’s professional experience spans over 40 years in a broad range of applications and styles. His field of vision covers everything from fashion shoots, photojournalism, and architecture to marketing production and documentary photography. He runs a successful commercial photo studio in central London and is also a Course leader for PG Diploma Photography Portfolio Development at the University of the Arts London. As a working photographer, Adrian brings a pragmatic and updated approach to teaching.
Adrian brings in a huge amount of experience in teaching and educational development including:
Development and rewriting of the ABC Diploma Course. Writing and validation of Post Graduate Courses
Development of practice-based commercially oriented photography courses. Adrian’s work has taken him all over the world, including working for the EU government. As a result, Adrian has a deep understanding of a range of cultures and diversity.
Joseph Toronka
Fashion Stylist
Joseph Toronka has been working in the fashion industry for over 15 years. He studied for a degree in Product development for Fashion at the London College of Fashion. He proceeded to work in Fashion PR for Major brands. He then focused his career on the creative imagery industry working worldwide as a fashion and celebrity stylist with agency representation in the UK, Europe and the USA.
He has worked in all areas of the styling industry, shooting editorials for publications both in the UK and internationally whilst also shooting campaigns for may prestigious and luxury brands.
As a celebrity stylist, he has had experience working with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry on projects ranging from pop promos to red carpet events. He continues to successfully work as a stylist and alternates his time with lecturing at the London College of Fashion on Styling program.
Sara Corker
Interior Design & Stylist
Sara Corker has been working within the design industry for 25 years. She is an alumnus of American Intercontinental University in London.
A qualified teacher, trained Colour Therapist and Project Manager, Sara alternates between working with her own design company (Sara Corker Designs), teaching and writing courses.
She regularly writes articles for the Industry and has just finished writing her book on ‘How to set up a successful Interior business’ – something that she is passionate about. Sara is a Member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and is on the Membership committee.
Laura Lightbody
Celebrity Stylist
Laura Lightbody is a graduate from Central Saint Martins in London. As a part of a high-performance team of model agents at New York’s premier agency, Wilhelmina, she has her own casting and production company, One Girl Productions.
She has styled many celebrities, dressing influential musicians – including Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Gloria Estefan and Cyndi Lauper. She has had the privilege of creating looks for every prestigious award show from The American Music Awards; The Grammys and The Golden Globes, to the all-important, MET Ball. She is the Image creator for the hugely successful global group, The Black Eyed Peas, for their final World Tour, The E.N.D.
She also lectures on fashion in higher education at internationally renowned universities.
Fabio Ciquera
Fashion Marketing
Having spent more than 16 years in London, Fabio has worked in communication departments of major brands like Gian Franco Ferre’, the Chanel Group and Zilli.
From 2010, Fabio lectured on Luxury Brand Management and Strategies at Istituto Marangoni.
He currently lectures Master Programmes on Luxury Brand Management at Paris & London and conducts lectures on how to develop the local luxury market in emerging countries like Indonesia and China.
Sarah Manning
Visual Merchandiser
Window Creator of New Dubai Airport, Harrords & Selfridges Sarah brings with her 20 years of Visual Merchandising experience working for London stores; Harrods, Selfridges and Marks & Spencer.
She has also owned a freelance Visual Merchandising Company since 2006, working for Harvey Nichols, Jaeger, Zara, Evans Cycles, GHD, Hasbro, Hallmark, John Smedley, Triumph Lingerie, Braun, Kenwood and Delonghi.
Sarah also lectures on a visual merchandising course at UAL London College of Fashion.
Gintare Jankuniene Gintare
Fashion Designer
Ms. Gintare JankunieneGintare has been working in the fashion industry for over 20 years. She studied for BA (Hons) Fashion Design from an art school in Lithuania. She has worked as a production designer for a high-end label, incorporating leather, fur and a mix of different fabrics.
She has also worked in collaboration with Eugine Lin as a textiles designer, engineering patterns for three seasons of his collections. Her prints for EL 2013 S/S collection were featured in British Vogue.
April Glassbrow
Fashion Stylist
Graduate from the University of Warwick with over 30 years experience and a lifelong interest in Fashion and Retail, April Glassbrow has worked as a buyer at Harvey Nichols for Fashion Jewellery, Perfumery and Leather goods and Hosiery.
She is also the Head of Women’s wear at Harvey Nichols.
Paul Chambers
Fashion Designer
Paul Chambers attended St Martins School of Art: College for the Distributive Trade course. He started his career at Selfridges as Visual Merchandiser and was Head of Creative Direction. He is currently the Art Director for Reiss and a Celebrity Fashion Stylist at Terri Manduca agency.
Paul also headed up the Projects and Design teams for ‘Elemental Design’ for brands such as Fendi, Harrods and Selfridges. In Germany, he heads the Global Windows for Hugo Boss.
Simon Askew
Visual Merchandiser
Simon Askew is a professional visual merchandising tutor with over twenty-five years working in the retail sector.
Simon began his career working for Sainsburys Supermarkets, a major multiple retailer in the UK before moving to Selfridges in London to specialise in the luxury retail sector He has also worked at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge one of the world most prestigious retail stores.
Simon was also selected for the Retail Masters’ forum held at Oxford Business School. Now working independently, Simon has begun working with a strong list of well known retail companies based in fashion, food and home offering his professional services and experience from his work in the last twenty-five years.
Carlos Palma
Hair & Make Up Artist
Carlos Palma has 22 years experience as a professional hair and makeup artist within the fashion industry and has an accredited reputation in New York, Miami and London.
His creativity and talents are coveted by industry professionals from photographers, stylists, publishers and celebrities alike. His exposure to a multitude of mediums has facilitated a substantial portfolio clearly demonstrating his abilities.
Gianni Lilliu
Fashion Designer
Finalist at Next Generation Regeneration Milan, Gianni owns studios in London and Sardinia. He specializes in Women’s Wear and bespoke tailoring for men.
He showcased his unique designs at Washington DC Fashion Week and has had the privilege to dress the models for four years in a row at Top Model UK. His beautiful creations have appeared recently in VOGUE Italia.