BIO
Helene Reiner, originally from New York, graduated from Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia with a BFA. Her career started as a designer for Nanette Children’s Co., and later with designer, Albert Nipon, Philadelphia. Relocating to LA, she started a graphics inspired T-shirt line, and subsequently built her own label, Full Nelson, a contemporary casual sportswear company that retailed in many major department from Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales to Macy’s and specialty stores nationwide. Later, designing for Actionwear USA, she helped fuel its growth into a known brand and look. Other brands designed and freelanced for: Young Edwardian, Metropole, Saint Germain, One World Apparel, Kleen, Cotton USA.
As an artist / designer and educator, Helene taught at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for 16 years; fashion illustration, creative design, surface design, and co-wrote 9 Flats, a technical design textbook utilized in its design curriculum. In addition, she taught design and portfolio development at Woodbury University. Beside teaching at Roski, Helene remains a faculty member at Santa Monica College, teaching color theory, fashion history and fashion illustration, and adjunct instructor at Otis College of Art & Design CE teaching fashion figure drawing and illustration.
Helene’s passion is fashion history, textiles, sustainable design thinking and all areas of design communication. She is working on a new book project and consults in all areas of design.
