Today we are speaking with Levana Bienstock, the Manager of Raw Materials at Victoria’s Secret.

Levana is a textile specialist, with over a decade of experience in the fashion industry.

Originally from the Midwest, she moved to New York to study at Pratt Institute, where she graduated with her BFA in Fashion Design. While at Pratt, Levana initiated the fashion department’s exchange program, spending a year at Nouva Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy.

Over the course of her career, Levana has held roles on the fabric teams at Lord &Taylor Private Label, DKNY Ready to Wear, and Anna Sui. She partnered directly with Anna Sui on researching fabrics and prints for the designer’s Runway Collections.

Levana joined Victoria’s Secret in 2015. She has been able to merge her passion of lace, embroidery, and fabric development with her technical expertise, working hand in hand with the lingerie industry’s top suppliers and vendors.

In this episode, Levana discusses:

1. How she became the Raw Materials Manager at Victoria's Secret
2. The differences and similarities between design and aesthetic, and  raw materials and science.
3. Her approach to innovation and sustainability
4. How Victoria's Secret had to pivot during COVID
5. The biggest challenges and opportunities for the industry since the pandemic hit

To learn more, visit sciessent.com/knowledge-hub.