Not many people can say that they knew exactly what they wanted to do in life by the age of 10, but Jana Matheson, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Judith Leiber Couture, can. “I wrote an essay about where I want to be in the year 2000, and mine explained that my goal was to move to New York and become a fashion designer. I forgot all about the school paper, but my mother saved it and gave it after my college graduation.” This laser sharp vision and love of fashion, especially accessories, has guided Matheson, who was inducted into the CFDA in 2012, throughout her career.

Jana Matheson was born in Canada and raised in California before heading to New York and Paris to study fashion. She was a Parsons School of Design Designer of the Year and a runner-up in Hermes’ emerging designer competition in 1996. Matheson apprenticed with America’s fashion elite including Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Badgley Mischka. She started her career in menswear then made the shift to woman’s luxury clothing and accessories. Her background in bling came in the form of designing everything from celebrity wedding gowns to million dollar shoes for the Oscars.

A firm believer in “as the sun sets, change your bag,” Matheson was a natural fit when she joined Judith Leiber in 2010. Since her tenure started, she has been focused on what she calls “the evolution and transformation of the evening bag.” There is a definite parallel between Matheson and legend Judith Leiber, two strong women whose creative prowess and knowledge of the luxury customer seem innate. Matheson’s innovative designs are a consistent staple on the red carpet, especially during awards season.

Over the past 14 years her designs have been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Glamour, W, Marie Claire and In Style. She has also had successful design partnerships with The New Museum of Contemporary Art, Mercedes Benz, Neiman Marcus + Target, Graff Diamonds and the estate of Marilyn Monroe.