♪ ♪ This educational programming was made possible, in part, by the following organizations.

The John Ben Snow Foundation and Memorial Trust.

investing in people, Investing in community, investing in the future.

The Gifford Foundation, fostering growth, encouraging change, supporting our community since 1954.

Excellus BlueCross/BlueShield, working every day to create better places to live, work, play, and raise families.

♪ ♪ This year on "Behind the Woman," guests from previous seasons mentor high school students interested in turning their passions into promising careers.

In this episode we are exploring the fashion world and the power of creative expression.

Our mentor is Mariella Sheree, leader of a central New York fashion house, who's committed to showing the next generation how to claim space, express themselves, and build a fashion line for the future.

[ music ] >> Well, I am happy to announce that I launched my own fashion house two years ago.

So remember, I told you 12 years ago, I left the fashion industry and went straight into the nonprofit sector.

Well, two years ago, I entered back into the fashion industry.

You can clap for me >> Clap it up for that!

Because you're wearing it well.

>> Thank you, Thank you.

Yes, you had asked me, where do I see myself in the next five years?

And you kept asking me that.

And I said, well, yes, I will transition into the CEO role.

So I am the CEO and creative director and fashion designer of Maison Mariella Sheree, which is just French for house of Mariella Sheree.

>> Tell me about Fashion Week.

We hear so much about, like, New York, this one, what is it?

I mean, I just came back from watching Devil Wears Prada 2.

So I'm feeling, like, I'm feeling very, like, in my fashion sense.

So, but give us a real behind the scenes if you had to sum up what fashion week, is like for an artist.

>> Yeah, so fashion week is our fashion presentation.

So this is 6 to 9 months worth of research doing fashion trends, coming up with what the collection is going to be, building the narrative, the story behind the collection.

And then developing the collection.

So getting samples of each piece, then filtering out what works, what doesn't work, and process of that production and development, we present at fashion week in fashion week, And fashion week is normally where buyers, influencers, press and our other consumers, they get an opportunity to see all of the work that we do.

So I just did the fall, winter, 2026 collection.

I named it Departure.

And departure is about, just recognizing your past and your heritage as you move forward for the future, and looking at the transitions and the movement of how we get there.

It all just manifested into this 30-piece collection that I showed at Fashion Week, and what I've been doing is going on a fashion tour.

So I show part of each of the collection that each fashion weekend.

Not the whole thing.

So Syracuse got 12 pieces, which was part one.

Buffalo received 10 pieces, and then St.

Louis will receive the 15 pieces, which is the remaining of the collection.

Yeah, so you think of, like, a singer goes on tour, I went on tour.

>> You went on the tour?

You got the flames, but in the moment.

But I think what I -- what I heard you say that stood out to me is that you go, and it's not just about walking the runway, right?

You put yourself out there, you put the fashion out there, and then you are hoping that buyers or influencers or someone will circle back to Maison de Mariella Sheree and purchase or inquire about a piece.

>> Yes.

>> And so I didn't know that aspect of, but I'm really excited to hear that you are out there putting it out there.

And I can't wait to where it's going to go.

>> Yes.

>> So you are hot off the road.

Got one more show to do.

And you are showing up in the middle of that to help some young people who have just as much passion for fashion find way their through this experience.

I'm excited about this because I walk into the studio today, and not only do you have your rack of items.

... she's like steaming.

And I'm like, did I just show up on the set of some fashion... but then you also got models.

>> Yes.

>> And brought them in and so I'm like, oh my gosh.

>> Yes.

>> Even I'm excited about it.

So I think the thought and the intentionality behind not just saying yes to the experience, but really curating an experience for these young people to explore fashion.

I'm like she done brought the models in and the racks of clothes?

I'm excited.

Our mentees showed up ready to express themselves as well as share their aspirations about breaking into the fashion word.

>> My name is Amaia Hernandez: This is a big opportunity because I came here to be able to get opportunities like this.

And so I prayed a lot.

And I feel like God answered.

So that's why I'm here.

>> Wonderful.

Nazaire, tell us a little bit about you.

>> I'm Nazaire Ningagoto.

And I'm the-- the reason I'm here is because I see this as an opportunity for me to like widen my sense of fashion or just like go deeper into the world of fashion.

>> What about fashion, like intrigues you?

How did you get into it?

For me it's the versatility, you know.

In the world of fashion, there is not just one sense of fashion, you know?

Like there could be like two people in the same room who enjoy fashion, but they will like completely different but they will look good doing it.

So that's really one thing that I like about it.

And the way I got into it is really just, just like to have the confidence to dress better or feel good in the things I wear.

So yeah, that's really why I do it.

♪ >> Well, ever since I was little, I have loved it.

My family is very fashionable and loves all that stuff, and I just love it.

I love dressing nice and like, you know, I love like-- I like to dress like modest but very like, you know, like nice, fashionable.

And I like how you could put different things together that people may think that might not look good and like, you know, create stuff?

Make it look unique.

>> What are you looking to do?

If you think about yourselves 10 years from now, what do you want to be doing or hope that you will be doing?

>> I would hope I'm like, you know, doing stuff like this.

I would love to be a model or stuff like that.

Like I love anything fashion wise, like I would love to do anything like that.

>> Because you also do theater at noting ham and have done that for a long time, right?

>> Yes.

>> So model, actress, television show host?

>> Anything that is in the range, I would love to do.

♪ >> I play a lot of sports, so I'm hoping it would range from one of those sports, like track or lacrosse, soccer.

I would hope to be doing anything in those fields.

And also keep my like fashionable sense because I think-- I don't think there is anything better than a sports player or whatever, that knows how to dress.

>> It is time for the creation challenge.

Mariella is testing our students with an upcycle project, using garments from house of Mariella Sheree.

The students must create a modernized runway ready look for me.

>> Fashion is fun and lights and freeing, so you guys excited to do some fashion styling?

>> Yes.

>> Okay.

So I'm going to walk you through some of the stuff that I have here presented that I presented for you all.

This is part of the departure collection.

So in this we have our fall-winter 2026 collection.

Here we are going to do a look book.

And you guys are going to style each of our models that we have today.

And you are going to envision what you see Dr.

Juhanna Rogers in, based off of our departure collection.

Part of this is we develop a narrative, a story behind the whole collection.

And when we develop that narrative, a lot of research and data goes into this.

It helps us develop what fabrics to use, what color story we are going to use.

And then each of that goes into the full 30-piece collection here.

So you will see that we present all of this here to our buyers, our customers.

And so today you are going to pick out some pieces here based off the accessories we have on the table and then whatever your vision is for Dr.

Rogers.

What is your narrative going to be?

What is your story behind the piece?

You have a few dresses here, all of our dresses and our pieces are very free flowing.

Give you a lot of movement here and there are some structure pieces here as well, different silhouettes.

So you have your emeralds, your royal blue.

These here I'll share with you guys.

So like this is an actual art piece I did.

A painting that I have.

And then I turned it into fabric and then made my own fabric for a lot of these pieces along with the travel bags.

The same thing with this piece here.

So this is a very good story telling piece.

So while you are thinking of your pieces, also envision Dr.

Rogers as well.

You guys got an opportunity to talk with her today.

So what would you want to see her in?

>> Just all black pieces.

>> All black pieces.

>> Yeah.

>> All right.

And then how about you, Amaia?

>> I was thinking this skirt, I really like it.

This dress.

And this shirt.

>> All right.

That's for Desiree.

Melvin, do you like this piece?

>> I love that piece.

>> All right.

Let's do a little bit of this.

>> I also want to get your opinion and see what you think about it and if you think we should pair the shirt with something else?

>> I like the skirt.

Maybe pair the skirt with something else so it's not clashing.

>> While you try this on, I'll see.

>> Sounds good.

>> Is there anything you would like to change or add to this?

>> I love the concept.

What would you like me to pair with?

>> Okay, so I was thinking this goes under and this goes on top.

And then this is like on top, on top.

>> We can give it a try.

>> Layered, nice.

>> Yes, layer.

>> We will have you do the pants here and then that will be layered on there.

And let's bring the sleeves in through here, through the sleeves.

>> Okay.

>> Of the jacket.

♪ >> Could I add something?

>> You sure can.

There are no limits in fashion.

>> These glasses.

>> Yes!

>> The shape of them aren't really normal glasses and I like the outer frame so I'm thinking maybe this could work or either that.

>> I love that.

>> Yeah.

>> Yes!

Make sure you are completely free.

You could choose whatever you want.

It's no limits when it comes to fashion.

You always want to think about when you are coming up with a fashion look that is something for the future.

You have future fashion.

And even if you go overseas.

So if you want to do design, a lot of schools overseas have that.

You can do internships as well.

Think about that.

I went to Kansas State University when I started for fashion design and I got my bachelor's in that.

I got a minor in business and I ended up getting a masters in communication and then another master's in media design, marketing and branding.

So it's more than like just styling and making the clothes.

But it's also understanding the business of fashion as well.

So I think you guys are on the right path.

>> Thank you.

>> You are welcome.

All right.

Shall we check on the models?

>> Yeah.

>> So now that our models are back, this is our opportunity to assess how we have dressed them, fixed anything that needs to be fixed, so make things tighter, fit to their body, check out shoes, overall looks.

And once you have that, then you will put the accessories on them and then I want to have you guys tell me the story behind each look that you chose for your model, okay?

>> Is that comfortable and, like booed?

>> Yeah.

>> Is that too tight?

>> As tight as you can go is good.

>> Okay.

>> But I think this would look better but I just want to get your opinion.

What do you feel like-- are you comfortable with this being in your hair?

>> That's fine.

I don't think the hat will like fit.

Okay, let me see.

>> Cute.

>> Other than this... >> You want it on her shoulders?

>> Yeah yeah, have it like that.

How could I hold this look?

>> Hold it?

>> Yeah, how could I have it stay like this?

>> It just sits on the shoulder.

>> Okay, I think that's fine.

>> Perfect.

>> All right, now hold her hair.

>> I actually want to wrap this around.

Let's get you in some headphones because you are traveling.

And then I'm going to put you also in the futuristic king 3050 travel bag.

>> This is Desiree, right?

And the reason I picked this skirt, I just loved it since I saw the embroidery and the shape of it goes very nice.

I picked the top because it matched well with the skirt and it's like still a little modest, but fashionable in like, you know, very fashionable.

I like the piece.

I feel like it goes with it.

It matches with the top.

And it's just like-- she's like, I put the bag there because I feel like she's going somewhere important, you know, she's flying somewhere.

She's getting there.

>> I'm here with Victoria.

I went with a triple black look.

I chose this dress because of how it flows out.

So I chose this crop jacket because it also adds on to the silhouette.

It doesn't keep the silhouette boring.

It expands the silhouette.

I added this jewelry because it gives you something to look at.

It gives you, like-- it gives a luxurious look along with the glasses.

And then the bag I went with this bag because it's not a normal bag you see every day.

It has a very outgoing look.

It will catch the eye.

It's eye catching.

As I was going through this, I didn't really have a story but now that it's together, I feel like she is at a shopping mall.

She looks very, like a shopper.

She looks like she's very luxurious walking into the luxurious stores.

That's the vision I see here.

>> Yes, yes.

>> Amaia, tell me how your look fits into Dr.

Juhanna Rogers' wardrobe and where do you see Dr.

Juhanna Rogers in this look?

>> Okay, so I think she's more-- I don't know if it's really her look, but I feel like she could definitely pull this off.

I feel like she could wear it anywhere.

She could go out anywhere, like when she hosts the show or something.

I feel like this is definitely made for that.

It looks great on her.

>> I can see Dr.

Rogers wearing this to an award show, standing out, especially because she has the same height and the length.

Yes, and then her travel bag.

Dr.

Rogers will probably put maybe a necklace there because she likes standout pieces.

But I think this will be great.

It's good for her silhouettes and I can see her really just making a statement at the event with this look.

>> I definitely agree.

>> This, I feel like not only could it fit into her wardrobe but it could fit in nip's wardrobe because of how classy.

You can't go wrong with all black.

So I feel like whether it's something she has done before or if it's new, I feel like it's something she could easily adapt into.

Something she could definitely do.

It's a look that she could pull off.

It's a look that anyone could pull off.

Whether it's this exact look or all black in general.

I could see this really going into like-- I do see this look being an award show, maybe at like a late night dinner.

Just... yeah, things like that.

Maybe, like on a fashion stage walking out, you know?

>> I will tell you that my mother always said if you do something that you love, it never seems like work.

And I love fashion.

I love education.

I love youth development.

And there is nothing else I'd rather do.

And so I never feel like I'm doing work, even though I'll spend hours on my collection and only have like one hour of sleep.

But it's worth it for me.

So utilize that resource.

Utilize your passions and utilize your networks to become all that you want to be.

Okay?

So I want to you always keep that in your mind.

Don't let nay sayers sake anything away, don't let anything negative take you away from having your same focus of where you want to go.

Have tone of vision, keep that focus.

Block out all the other.

Don't let the chaos around you get you wrapped up into it.

Stand still, keep moving forward because you are going to get where you want to go as long as you are focused on it.

>> This was a creative and expressive exchange that produced a blueprint for our community.

Mariella passed the torch and she is ensuring that the next generation doesn't just enter into the industry.

They're going to own it.

I'm Dr.

Juhanna Rogers.

♪ ♪ This educational programming was made possible in part by the following organizations: The John Ben Snow Foundation Ed Memorial Trust.

Investing in people, investing Investing in people, investing in community, investing in the future.

The Gifford Foundation, fostering growth, encouraging change, supporting our community since 1954.

Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, working every day to create better places to live, work,