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Carmen

AGE: 37

HOMETOWN: Charlotte, NC

EDUCATION: Architecture at Savannah College of Art and Design

FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Tracy Reece, Epperson and Byron Lars

FASHION MUST: A fantastic shawl or scarf that can be worn in many different ways.

North Carolina native Carmen has had a love for fashion since a young age. She was modeling in trunk shows for Alexander Julian, DKNY and Anne Klein at 16, then went on to double major in fashion design and illustration and named as top fashion designer of her class.

After graduation, Carmen moved to Paris where she interned for Christope LeMaire who is now the head designer for Lacoste. Carmen showcased her first ready-to-wear collection at La Couple Jazz Club in Paris in 1996, and four years later moved to the Big Apple to launch her Harlem-based clothing line in the fashion capital.

In the summer of 2001, Carmen launched the "Sistahs of Harlem" clothing line with partner Carmia Marshall, a wardrobe stylist in the film and television industry. Carmen has done line building for a private footwear company working with top European and American brands. Marshall and Carmen co-wrote T-Shirt Makeovers: 20 Transformations for Fabulous Fashion, a do-it-yourself book, in stores now. Their second book will be out in 2008 with a focus on denim.