Susan-Jayne Caballero
(212) 217-4800 or (212) 217-5140
Business and Liberal Arts Center, Room B320 and B521
Biography
Alongside a rich career as a leading executive in the creative fields of fashion, textiles, and décor, Susan-Jayne Caballero has been at the helm of creative legacies while telling compelling stories and achieving results through extraordinary projects and design adventures. During her tenure in the industry, she has led creative teams spanning multiple national brands with fine brand statements while working with Ralph Lauren, DVF, and Tommy Hilfiger, along with partnerships with many more established and emerging designers.
Harnessing this incredible experience and background, Caballero expanded her repertoire for great design and founded Sacra Indumenta LLC in 2021. Sacra Indumenta is a specialty atelier which designs and creates ecclesiastical-focused bespoke vestments and costumes invested in historical tailoring techniques, embellishments , and construction. Always with the end goals of integrity, design excellence, and uncompromising standards, Caballero's business acumen and creative discipline is painted across a broad spectrum of works of wearable art and luxury décor. As a strong supporter of local business, especially women in business, she continues to foster talent and mentor other designers in her company, as well as with the WBDC in her area. She is an active lecturer who speaks to artisan techniques and conducts design workshops focused on hands-on historical tailoring and embellishment.
Since 2000, Caballero has served as an adjunct instructor in FIT's Fashion Design, Fashion Business Management, and Textile/Surface Design programs. She is an FIT alum, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design Apparel, Tailored Garments Specialization; she also studied abroad at ESMOD Paris, a French private school of fashion and continues to speak French fluently. Maintaining a global presence in fashion industry and traveling is one of her favorite contributions as an instructor. Caballero encourages her students to explore the exchange programs and trips abroad that FIT has to offer.
Caballero says finding time to teach at her alma mater has been a highlight of her career and a special privilege as the next generation emerges. She hopes to inspire FIT’s bright students with big ideas, and help shape confidence and optimism for the future.
Research Interests
ecclesiastical design, historical tailoring, costume embellishment
Selected Publications
"Sewing the Sacred: Finding the Catholic Faith Amid Fashion." National Catholic Register. October 30, 2022.
"The Fascia with Vintage Inspired ‘Fiocchi’ Tassels." Liturgical Arts Journal. March 15, 2022.
"The Helmet of Salvation: Crafting an Amice." Liturgical Arts Journal. May 13, 2022.
"Vestments Commissioned for the Solemn Pontifical Mass of St. Junipero Serra." Liturgical Arts Journal. July 13, 2022.
"A Sartorial Note on the Pontifical Mass in San Francisco." Society of St. Hugh of Cluny. July 19, 2022.
"Designer Uses Talents to Honor God." Fairfield County Catholic. July/August 2022.
"Threads of Continuity: Stewards of Sacred Treasure." Society of St. Hugh of Cluny. August 5, 2019.
Conferences and Presentations
Sacred Vestments Workshop with Susan-Jayne Caballero of Sacra Indumenta LLC, Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish Pittsburgh, PA, December 2-4, 2022
The Helmet of Salvation: Crafting an Amice with Susan-Jayne Caballero, St. Edmund’s Retreat, The Sacred Art Institute, Enders Island, CT, April 2, 2022
Awards
2021 Women Rising Award, Women’s Business Development Council, October 2021
The Women Rising Award is presented annually to Women’s Business Development Council
clients who show a strong commitment to WBDC and demonstrate success in their business
and tenacity in pursuing their goals.
Courses
- FM 204 Innovation in Product Development
- FM 207 Fashion Marketing and Digital Technology
- FM 108 First Year Experience I
- TD 103 Embroidery
- Precollege Saturday Live - Fashion Design Art