Kristine Upesleja

Is the Founder and President of MADISONS – Innovative Materials, a consultancy at the forefront of sustainable innovation, biodesign, and future-forward material strategies. A visionary educator, researcher, and industry connector, Kristine is widely recognized for pioneering new approaches that bridge material science, fashion, and technology.

With over 25 years of international experience, Kristine’s passion for innovative and sustainable materials has defined her career across fashion, design, and higher education. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant, collaborating with leading brands including Patagonia, Hugo Boss, Adidas, Julia Koerner, Michael Schmidt Studios, and Reformation. Her expertise has been featured in French Vogue, and she has appeared as an expert on Bravo TV’s Project Runway, speaking on sustainable and wearable technologies.

Kristine began her career as a costume designer for opera, television, and film productions in Germany and Switzerland before relocating to Los Angeles to work with celebrity designer Roberta Marino. She later joined the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), where she founded and curated the Innovative Textiles & Materials Department, building one of the most comprehensive collections of future materials at any U.S. college.

Today, in addition to running MADISONS, Kristine serves as Faculty Director at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, where she leads the Color, Materials and Trends Exploration Laboratory (CMTEL) and teaches her signature course, Wearables: Material Futures. She is also a Senior Lecturer at Otis College of Art and Design, where she developed the school’s first course on Innovative Materials.

Kristine continues to develop groundbreaking curricula and labs that connect industry innovation with academic research. She also served as a consultant for the launch of the new ASU FIDM curriculum, helping embed sustainability and material innovation into the core of its design programs.

A frequent keynote speaker, Kristine has shared her expertise at institutions and global conferences including PI Apparel, Design Shanghai, TITAS in Taipei, and UEDA College of Fashion in Osaka. Through her work, she remains dedicated to shaping a future where sustainable design, emerging technologies, and material science converge to shape a more creative and responsible global industry.