|
|
LISA PLINERBIOGRAPHY
After enrolling at the University of Texas, Pliner transferred to St. Edwards University to study Fine Arts and Theater, subsequently moving to Paris, France to attend Parsons School of Design. Continuing her education, Pliner moved to Siena, Italy where she studied Landscape Arts, finally returning to the states to pursue a degree in Visual Communication and Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Houston. With a thorough artistic education behind her, Pliner returned to Miami where she sold couture pieces at Neiman Marcus, learning more about individual designers and their aesthetics. During this time, she grew especially fond of the designs of Gianni Versace, whose team she joined in 1988. While working at Versace, Lisa met her future husband, Donald J Pliner, a footwear designer. Lisa began assisting Donald creatively, quickly becoming his muse. Inspired and encouraged by Donald, Lisa will launch her own footwear collection in Fall 2009 under the name Lisa F. Pliner. Despite her impressive experience and accomplishments in the arts and design, Lisa’s true passion is the foundation she and Donald launched in 2007, Peace for the Children Foundation. The Pliners were inspired to start the foundation after adopting their daughter, Starr, from Kazakhstan in 2005. During Lisa and Donald’s many visits to Starr’s orphanage, they noticed the children rarely smiled and had no free play time. Knowing they could make a difference, the Pliners formed the Peace for the Children Foundation, committing the organization to bringing peace to children who need it most. Now, Lisa says, “When I see a child smiling and being happy playing with other kids, just seeing that joy tells me that my job was done.” |
Lisa F. Pliner, neé Barbernell, born in Miami, Florida to Judith and Larry Barbernell grew up, alongside her brother, Stephen, in Houston, Texas where her mother, a fashion designer, encouraged Lisa’s desire to pursue an education in the arts.