Isabel Toledo is a critically acclaimed fashion designer.

Background:
Born on April 9, 1961 in Cuba. Moved to New Jersey with her family when she was eight.  Met  her future husband Ruben Toledo at Memorial High School in West New York, NJ. Attended FIT and the Parsons School of Design. Worked as restorer in the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute. Showed her first collection in 1985. Achieved a cult following among fashion industry insiders. Stopped runway shows in 1988 but returned to the shows in the late 1990s. Named creative director of Anne Klein in 2006, but relationship ended in 2007. 

Education:
Studied painting and ceramics, then fashion design, at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design.

Personal:
Married to artist Ruben Toledo since 1984. They live in the Flatiron district of New York City.

Author of Toledo/Toledo: A Marriage of Art and Fashion, with Ruben Toledo, New York, 1999.

Awards:
2008 Award for Artistry of Fashion from Couture Council at FIT
2005 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award
Coty American Fashion Critics "Winnie" award
Women's Wear Designer of the Year, Hispanic Designers Inc.
Otis Critics' award named for her at the Los Angeles-based Otis School of Fashion Design

Exhibitions:
“Holy Toledo! Isabel Toledo and the Art of Fashion”, opening June 19, 2009 through September 26, 2009 at Museum at FIT
"Interpretation: 20th Century Clothing and Illustration", Ohio State University/Ohio Arts Council, 2000
"Toledo/Toledo: A Marriage of Art and Fashion", Fashion Institute of Technology (traveling to other museums), 1999