Steven Wilburn

Steven Wilburn, class of 1985, is the Senior Director of Stores in the Corporate Visual Merchandising office for Saks Fifth Avenue. Mr. Wilburn is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Saks’ 61 Visual Merchandising Departments. In addition, he oversees renovations and new store projects, as well as maintaining tight budget control over the division.

While in college, Steven chose to complete an internship that would give him more experience in the fashion industry. Through the fashion department, he was able to land an internship at the Bal Harbour Saks Fifth Avenue store. Upon graduating with a degree in fashion merchandising, Wilburn joined the Bal Harbour store as a full-time staff associate. Shortly after, he was promoted to open the Boca Raton store as the Assistant Visual Manager. After accepting several other promotions within Saks, in locations such as Palm Beach and Atlanta, Steven Wilburn was offered a promotion to the Corporate Visual Merchandising office as the Manager of Merchandise Presentation. In this role, he was responsible for handbags, accessories, jewelry, shoes, hosiery, seasonal shops and holiday trim. In 1999, Steven advanced to the role of Regional Director of Sales, managing the operations of 30 Saks stores on the East Coast. This advancement was the foundation leading to his current position of Senior Director of Stores in the corporate office.

Armando De la Paz

Although graduating from the Miami International University of Art & Design in the summer of 2004, Armando De la Paz's career began far before leaving the university with a degree in fashion merchandising. His dream was to become a buyer and so he enrolled at MIU in 2002 to begin his journey; little did he know where his path would take him.

Never letting an opportunity pass him by, when the chance to do an internship at Neiman's or Saks came along, Armando was quick to jump into it. His focus still remained on buying, however, when he was approached about an internship at Conde Nast Americas, the company responsible for publications such as Vogue, Allure and Vanity Fair, he thought he'd open himself up to something new and unexpected. This became a pivotal decision in Armando's career. Within three weeks from the beginning of his internship, Conde Nast Americas offered Armando a part-time position in publishing. For the next year he would play a larger role on the team as Promotions Coordinator before leaving to pursue larger endeavors. In July 2005, Armando made the transition to Advertising/Sales for Editorial Televisa, rival company to Conde Nast Americas, whose accounts include Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan En Español; only to be promoted four months later to Senior Promotions Coordinator, where he finds himself now.

As Senior Promotions Coordinator, Armando's job description includes everything from creating promotions for the Miami, New York and Houston areas to account executive for Donald J. Pliner and numerous spas and clubs. He also executes fashion shows such as Harper's Bazaar and La Majia de la Moda, a signature show newly developed by Armando and expected to grow into the New York market. The skills he's applying and acquiring have opened a whole new niche that Armando wants to continue to pursue, where his new career goal is to become an entrepreneur in the areas of public relations and promotions.

When asked what advice he can give to students and new graduates, his reply was,
"Take every opportunity to the fullest. You never know where it can lead you. Also, don't be too proud. There is so much you can learn from others, not just from what they do right, but also from their mistakes."

Valerie Biener

Valerie Biener, a local fashion icon, paved her way through the industry holding such positions as the current fashion director of Vogue Latinoamérica and México and previous editorial coordinator at Glamour, Vogue and Architectural Digest en Español, contributor for Maxim en Español, fashion editor of Channels magazine, and fashion editor of Fashion Spectrum magazine.

Valerie grew up in Guatemala City, and moved to Hamburg, Germany in 1995. After one year of German studies, she decided to move to Miami and pursue a degree at Miami International University of Art & Design. She received her associate’s degree in fashion merchandising in 1997. During her time at the university she completed internships at MTV Latin America, Selecta magazine, and Fashion Spectrum magazine. She also assisted several fashion stylists and helped organize several fashion shows.

Valerie has extensive styling experience and has worked with clients such as General Mills, Sony Music, Johnson & Johnson, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Ping Golfwear. She has also worked with many celebrities including Chayanne, Soraya, Sofia Vergara, Christian Bale, and Kristen Davies.