After a brief stay at Massachusetts University where she studied Fashion Illustration, she entered Parsons in 1981. That same year she obtained a Certificate in Fashion History and Contemporary French Fashion from the Louvre Museum and Parsons School of Design in Paris. While in Paris she studied the work of top designers and their houses extensively. The designers included Yves Saint Laurent, Emanuel Ungaro, Coco Chanel, Sonia Rykiel, Thierry Mugler and Madame Gres.

In 1984 she obtained her Bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts from Parsons where she graduated in the same class as of Marc Jacobs, Isaac Mizrahi and other well known designers. As a student she won the Honorable Mention from the Rayon/Acetate Council, Inc during the 1983 New York Fashion Design competition. In New York she spent time working with designers Michaele Vollbratch, Ann Crimms and The Embroidery Council of America.

Since 1991, Viviana has lived in South Florida working in the industry and designing lines for Home Shopping Network and major Department Stores. She is also a Fashion Instructor at the International Fine Arts College since 1998. In 1996 she launched a new line called "Sweet Pea" designed exclusively in mesh and geared for the contemporary market. The collection was carried in top stores like Barney’s, Blomingdale's, Nordstrom, Anthropology, The White House, Express, etc. In 2000 she gained her independence and launched Petit Pois.

With Petit Pois Viviana has developed a premium quality line that reflects 28 years of a journey that started back in 1978. With beautiful prints and tie dyed mesh she has brought to the marketplace a fresh and colorful approach to fashion.

Petit Pois is a manufacturer that not only designs but cuts and produces the entire line on-site with absolute control over the quality of the garments. Being in total control of the process represents the philosophy of our company: "First quality garments and first class customer service with affordable prices geared for the Better and Contemporary markets."