Our Team.
Welcome to the Couture Pattern Museum, where passion fuels our creative team. Though small in size, we are mighty and efficient in our pursuit of excellence. Join us on this extraordinary journey as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future.
Cara Austine-Rademaker, Founder & Managing Director
RJ Rademaker, Creative Operations Director, Key Advisor
Mystique Latese, Mentor & Key Advisor
Melissa Dagodag, Fashion Lawyer and Trademark/Copyright Attorney
Povilas Zaleskis, Digital Fashion Designer & Creator, Clo3D Sponsor
Creative Visions Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) that supports creative activists using the arts and media to ignite social change. Assists with fundraising and grants as our California fiscal sponsor.
American Alliance of Museums, a prestigious network dedicated to championing museums and nurturing excellence across the museum field.
Cara Austine
Founder & Managing Director
Cara Austine-Rademaker is the founder of the Couture Pattern Museum, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of haute couture sewing patterns and celebrating the untold narratives of fashion history. With over two decades of dedication to saving and preserving rare sewing patterns, Cara has turned a lifelong passion into a unique museum that showcases the art and untold stories through exhibitions like "Paris Night Looks," "Coronation Couture," and the "100th Birthday Tribute to James Galanos." She also created the highly anticipated event, "Balenciaga, Through the Lens of Tom Kublin," featuring international author, curator, and art historian Maria Kublin.
Cara’s career journey is as unique as the museum itself. She began as a business management officer in international trade finance, becoming the youngest officer and AVP at City National Bank in Beverly Hills. After leading major initiatives such as closing the largest syndicated deal in the bank’s history and leading the Young Entrepreneurs Council at the Century City Chamber of Commerce, her volunteer work at various medical clinics sparked a new interest in healthcare. She later pursued studies at the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and transitioned her career to a heart hospital, all while continuing to develop her passion for sewing by creating custom garments for patients and nursing home residents.
Guided by two respected mentors—a renowned haute couture designer and a former Christian Dior professional—Cara has honed her skills in the art of couture and historical dress reconstructions. Her leadership at the museum is defined by innovation, creativity, and a dedication to preserving the craft and "know-how" of haute couture fashion. Outside the museum, she enjoys reading literary classics, cooking, and advocating against human trafficking and abuse.
Through her vision, the Couture Pattern Museum preserves, inspires, and educates, celebrating the rich heritage and often overlooked stories in fashion.
RJ Rademaker
Creative Operations Director & Key Advisor
RJ Rademaker is a vital advisor and the Creative Operations Director at the Couture Pattern Museum, bringing a wealth of experience from his extensive background in contracts, finance, law, and non-profit leadership. His multifaceted expertise contributes significantly to the museum's vision and success. RJ played a key role in producing and organizing the "Balenciaga, Through the Lens of Tom Kublin" event, while simultaneously coordinating the museum's budget. He is an award-winning photographer who is responsible for capturing and curating all the event photography and organizing video content for the museum, often personally filming and documenting key moments at exhibitions, and events, and filming online courses.
RJ has a lifelong passion for the arts and is a published songwriter and performer who actively engages in various artistic disciplines. His creative background, combined with his professional experience, brings a unique perspective and artistic sensibility to his role at the museum. Alongside his artistic endeavors, his strong foundation in finance and law provides valuable insights into the museum's strategic and operational planning.
Before joining the museum, RJ served as the executive director of a national non-profit organization, where he honed his leadership skills and deepened his commitment to supporting impactful causes.
Beyond his professional work, RJ enjoys reading and immersing himself in the study of the visual arts and classical music, a passion he has pursued throughout his life.
RJ's diverse background, passion for the arts, and dedication to making a positive impact make him an invaluable asset to the Couture Pattern Museum.
Melissa Dagodag
Fashion Lawyer and Trademark/Copyright Attorney Contracted Legal Counsel for Couture Pattern Museum
Melissa Dagadag is a distinguished fashion lawyer and seasoned attorney recognized for her expertise in trademark and copyright law. With a strong academic background, Melissa holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in English from Stanford University, as well as a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from UCLA School of Law. Her journey in the legal field began after experiencing the frustration of having her own design ideas stolen, inspiring her to protect the creative works of others.
With diverse professional experiences, Melissa's career has been shaped by her passion for the fashion and entertainment industries. She began her legal career at Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, LLP, a top California law firm specializing in entertainment and music law. Melissa further enriched her expertise by serving as an in-house attorney handling contracts and business affairs at BCBG, a major fashion company, and Palan Music, an international music publishing company.
As contracted legal counsel for Couture Pattern Museum, Melissa Dagadag brings her comprehensive legal expertise and business experience to safeguard the museum's intellectual property and ensure legal compliance. Her practical legal know-how, effective communication skills, and approachable demeanor distinguish her as a trusted advisor.
With Melissa Dagadag as part of the Couture Pattern Museum team, the organization benefits from her strategic guidance and commitment to supporting creative individuals and businesses.
Mystique Latese
Mentor & Key Advisor
Mystique Latese, serves as a key advisor at the Couture Pattern Museum. Mystique brings an extensive repertoire of skills and experience, pivotal in driving the organization's growth, innovation, and diversity. With a proven track record in guiding startups to success, her visionary leadership is integral to pushing the museum's forward-thinking initiatives.
As the founder of WOC Owned, Mystique has manifested her profound commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, creating a thriving platform dedicated to bolstering Black and Brown women entrepreneurs. Her tenure as a coveted event planner in Chicago has further polished her proficiency in project management, negotiation, and strategic planning, enhancing her contribution to the museum's endeavors.
Mystique's prowess extends to the digital sphere where her accomplishments include launching numerous online communities and digital apps, effectively bridging the gap between traditional and digital interfaces. Among these accomplishments is the successful introduction of highly rated online classes.
Mystique Latese's in-depth insights, unwavering commitment, and hands-on approach have been pivotal in carving the Couture Pattern Museum's forward trajectory. Her continued alliance with our organization not only adds credibility but also instills a deep-rooted sense of purpose to our mission. This relationship bolsters our commitment to showcasing the complexity of historical couture patterns while fostering a diverse, inclusive community of learners and innovators.
Povilas Zaleskis
Digital Fashion Designer & Creator, Clo3D Sponsor
Povilas Zaleskis is a Luxembourg-based Digital Fashion Designer, Creator, and Clo3D Sponsor at the Couture Pattern Museum. With a foundation in traditional bespoke tailoring, he excels in blending classic design with digital techniques, using Clo3D software to craft stunning digital renditions of couture.
Inspired by the revolutionary techniques of Madeleine Vionnet and driven by a profound respect for the meticulous detail characteristic of haute couture, Povilas's career took a transformative turn during the pandemic. This period of exploration and innovation led him to Clo3D, a tool that has become indispensable in the fashion industry for its ability to produce highly detailed and realistic garment designs without the physical constraints of traditional fabrication methods.
His digital reconstructions, particularly those from the James Galanos collection displayed during the 100th Birthday Tribute Exhibition for James Galanos in Santa Barbara, highlighted the complexity, beauty, and ingenuity of design processes, bridging historical fashion heritage with contemporary digital craftsmanship.
Beyond his design contributions, Povilas supports the museum's mission as a Clo3D sponsor, using his talent by assisting the Couture Pattern Museum to merge fashion's rich history with its digital future. Explore Povilas's innovative designs and historical digital projects at www.biascutwoman.studio and on Instagram @biascutwoman.
Creative Visions Foundation
California Fiscal Sponsor, a non-profit 501(c)(3)
Couture Pattern Museum (CPM) is privileged to be a sponsored project of the Creative Visions Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) that supports creative activists, those that use the arts and media to ignite social change. As our local California fiscal sponsor, Creative Visions' mission aligns seamlessly with our own.
Our partnership with Creative Visions is built on shared values of creativity, inclusivity, and social change. Their support extends beyond fiscal sponsorship, offering critical fundraising and grant assistance. This enables CPM to expand its donor base and generate the necessary financial support for our preservation and educational initiatives. We are honored to be part of the Creative Visions family and look forward to continuing our joint endeavor to reshape the fashion and museum landscape.