Donna Petracca

I have had the great privilege of working for, and learning from the best. After graduating from Pratt Institute in New York, I moved across country and started my career with Gilda Marx Industries. Gilda Marx was one of the smartest, most driven innovators in the industry. She took me under her wing, taught me so much about designing, and gave me the tools I needed for success. I had the amazing experience of being part of a company that went from being a start up, to a fifty million dollar company in a matter of just a few years! The skill set I acquired from being the head designer of a large grossing company who was responsible for seven different divisions gave me a dynamic edge within the industry. What an exciting time that was!

Another unbelievable opportunity came when I became head designer of Guess? and Georges Marciano Swimwear. I worked directly with Paul Marciano, the brilliant mind behind the Guess? Jeans company. I learned to think the way he does when I create, which is something that you cannot learn in a classroom. How lucky I was to have two such amazing mentors so early in my career. My work took me all over the world, with trips each year to London, Paris, The French Riviera, Milan, Australia and Rio.

After having children I decided to start a freelance business designing out of my home studio. This allowed me the opportunity to design so many different types of products and meet so many wonderful people along the way. During this time I started designing for Dreamgirl International, designing lingerie and costumes which I have done for the past eleven years. Designing costumes has taken my creativity to a whole new level. I am so passionate about designing that I know it is what I was created to do and am grateful for every opportunity.