Contact Information
My name is Tanya.
Nice to meet You.
I’m a fashion illustrator, designer, marketer and problem solver, always learning new things and looking for a challenge.
I love to travel, fabulous food, witty conversations, house music, tarot readings, martinis and all things design. My mission is to inspire and delight with my fashion illustrations and make your world a more fashionable place.
My style is playful, sassy, strong and sexy. And I love color.
I have a background in brand marketing and fashion design, and continue to be inspired by the energy, diversity and sense of possibility that is NYC. I have included some of my early design work in the portfolio here and I will be adding lots of Fashion Illustrations and hopefully some new Fashion Designs as well.
If you would like to collaborate on a future project please contact me directly with links below. Thank you for joining me as I investigate new possibilities and continue to:
explore. analyze. create.
t : 646.770.2645
My Journey
The First Stitch
As early as I can remember, my mother made most of my clothes, from matching sister playsets to Sunday dresses. Afterwards, I would use the fabric remnants to make outfits for my dolls. As I got older, Mom’s fashion sense was very different from mine, but she taught me to appreciate good construction and quality fabrics. I diligently read the latest fashion magazines and kept up on current trends, but being a 6-foot-tall, plus size teenager really limited my fashion options. So, I began to design and sew clothes for myself.
After I graduated from the University of Virginia, I hit the pavement in New York City. I landed a job at a luxury department store, but not in the design. My first full-time job was at Bergdorf Goodman, but in the credit department. Eventually, I took a few fashion design continuing ed. classes at FIT for fun, but I only thought of fashion design as a hobby, not a prospective career.
Finally Fashion Design
Within a few years my restlessness and misery at work grew and I was desperate for a career change. I decided to study fashion design, fulltime, at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. I graduated and worked as a Women’s Sportswear Designer in the New York Garment District for 7+ years. At private label and established brands like Ann Taylor, Victoria's Secret, Ecko Unlimited and Joseph Abboud to name a few. Working as a fashion designer was challenging, but I loved it!
In 2004, I left New York with the intention of saving $$ and launching my own clothing line. This ultimately led me to apply to business school. I put away the markers and magazines and earned my MBA in Marketing and Strategy from the University of Michigan. For the next 8 years I focused on Brand Management, Innovation and Digital Marketing in the consumer products industry.
The Return
I enjoyed wandering from coast to coast but, New York City, is my heart. I love its energy, diversity and sense of possibility. Living in NY also made me fall in love with fashion again. How could I not?
In 2018, as a I approached a milestone birthday, I took stock. It was time to renew, and reflect on how I was living. What was working? What did I love? What did I want to change in the next decade? I did some deep introspection. Set some big hairy goals. And began my Transformation. (A few examples follow)
Tanyagardner.com is my place to share and celebrate my transformation. I’m looking forward to inspiring and celebrating with you.
A Quick Work History
2020
I’m Doing it!
Towards my career transformation, I launched this website. I am expanding, experimenting and practicing new fashion illustration techniques. I am moving out of my comfort zone. Being brave and daring to dream.
2015
Back in New York
I enjoyed working as a Digital and Brand Marketing consultant. Figuring out what delights consumers and finding unique ways to engage them. Marketing is creative, analytical + strategic. So much like Fashion Design. Meanwhile, NYC has evolved into a fashion tech hub.
2008
Marketing Maven
Degree #3 . . . but who’s counting! MBA in Marketing and Strategy at the University of Michigan. International travel and projects, Marketing, networking and entrepreneurship. Experience of a lifetime. Pop-tarts internship. The goal gig in San Francisco after graduation.
2004
Escape From New York
Post 9/11 was tough in New York in many ways. Hard to secure permanent work. I was a Freelance Fashion Designer for a while. I moved to Atlanta to escape the cold, with the intention of saving $$ and launching my own clothing line. ATL was not for me.
