Karla Mena
President
Karla Mena is president of Modeling Training Center, a San Diego based, full service, modeling school founded in 2008. This Los Angeles native began her modeling career at 14 after being scouted by an agent at a local mall. After compeleting formal training, Karla was cast for work with numerous branding agencies, clothing designers and runway producers in both the U.S. and Mexico.
Karla's successes extended to her collegiate career as well. As a competitive swimmer boasting a number of scholarships from local universities, she soon began to devote herself entirely to the sport she loved as a child. It was in this environment that Karla's passion for business began to emerge. With a Bachelors degree in Business and International Marketing, Karla turned to her learned principles of persistence and commitment to create a rewarding career in her field.
As a successful enterpreneur with more than 10 years of marketing and advertising experience, Karla has helped a wide variety of firms grow and expand their business. Her clients have ranged from sole proprietorships to major corporations, and numeruous other organizations both here and in Mexico. She has a great deal of experience in cross border marketing, and consistently worked with clients to orchestrate unique branding, image enhancement and advertising campaigns.
Her excitement for the world of modeling has now come full circle. Karla firmly believes and is proof that training, backed by persistence and a commitment to suceed, leads to limitless results. These are the principles that Modeling Training Center was founded and will flourish on.
Natasha Escajadillo
Instructor
Born in San Diego, CA and raised in Mexico, Natasha Escajadillo began her modeling career at the age of 16. After comprehensive training, Natasha made a name for herself within the fashion industry, participating in runway shows, promotions and TV segments. As one of the models to walk in the first annual Escondido Fashion Week, Natasha soon found herself in major international fashion and talent shows which led to representation with an acting agency and manager in Los Angeles.
Natasha has auditioned for some of the most popular roles on television, including a lead role in the hit TV series, Gossip Girl. Natasha is currently involved with TV Azteca projects in Mexico, stars in a variety of commercials and is pursuing the opportunity to host her own TV show. In addition to her work on screen, Natasha has spent the last three years as a modeling instructor to satisfy her passion for teaching kids, teens and adults to follow their dreams.
Jorge Lopez Corella
Instructor
Jorge Lopez Corella, a San Diego native, has been passionate about arts and fashion since he was a child. In hot pursuit of a career within the fashion industry, Jorge moved to Los Angles and enrolled in Fashion Design School. Since then, he has built an impressive resume as a freelance dress designer for all occasions and his work has been featured in boutiques and on the runway.
In addition to his work as a fashion entrepreneur, Jorge launched his own event planning and production company, Jorge Corella Productions, in 2008. He now spends him time producing fashion shows, teaching modeling classes and coordinating other events such as weddings. He brings a wealth of experience and intangible passion to the MTC family.
Amanda Diego
Operations Manager
Amanda Diego, also a native of San Diego, was first exposed to the fashion industry when she was 16 years old after being scouted at her high school by a local agency. She trained and studied the modeling industry for six months, leading to invaluable exposure at fashion shows throughout Southern California.
When Amanda decided to focus on her education, she discovered her second passion while studying Journalism in college. In between studying and classes, Amanda worked at retail shops coordinating the latest styles for mannequin displays, exponentially increasing store profits. Amanda then moved into a position as the Director of Education for the same agency she trained with at age 16. She was responsible for booking models, training new models and overseeing all operations.
Amanda was eventually introduced to Modeling Training Center and Ms. Karla Mena. In recognizing endless potential and the opportunity to redefine modeling education, Amanda and MTC have built a full service fashion studio that focuses 110% on talent, not money. As Modeling Training Center’s Operations Director and Executive Assistant, Amanda’s permanent focus is to progress fashion into an accessible and artistic production.
Prince Charming
Instructor
Prince has been involved in the fashion and modeling industry for 10 years. He has been represented by the top agencies and talent resources in the business including; Ford Models - Chicago, NY Models and LA Models. His experience ranges from commercial to runway, as well as television and film.
Prince has a strong knowledge of both the modeling industry as well as the fashion industry. He graduated as valedictorian from Fashion Careers College with a degree in Fashion Design & Technology. Today he owns and is Head Designer for a successful clothing line called PCW. He has also obtained a second degree in Digital Media Arts with emphasis in graphic design.
Traveling the world, visiting every major fashion city has also helped to enlighten Prince on the standards of different cultures. Prince is an instructor at Fashion Careers College as well as Modeling Training Center and is revered for his ability to relay knowledge. He teaches from experience with the basis that anyone can learn anything with proper instruction.
Leilani Williams
Instructor
Leilani has been involved in the fashion and modeling industry for over 20 years. She has been represented and trained by some of the top agencies and talent resources in the business. Leilani's experience ranges from runway to print work, as well as television and film to pageantry.
Upon graduating top of her class from Fashion Careers College with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, Leilani furthered her studies in fashion at the Academy of Art University as well as the Fashion and Textile Museum in London with British fashion and textile designer, Zandra Rhodes. Her education and industry experience has lead her to work for several local and international designers in Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Diego, Paris, New York and London.
Leilani enjoys sharing her knowledge of the industry with her students. She teaches her class through personal and firsthand experience and offers a plethora of industry advice for her students to succeed in the world of fashion and modeling.
