Catherine de Castelbajac, founder of CdeC Academy, knows the significance of self confidence, self esteem, manners and presence as few people do. This California native spent several years in Paris learning International rules of protocol, behavior, politesse, poise, and dining expertise. She is the author of a ground breaking book, The Face of the Century, 100 Years of Makeup and Style, a successful communications and image consultant and entrepreneur.

She became a Ford Model while studying English Literature at Columbia University in New York City. Eileen Ford then sent her to Paris, where she met the fashion designer, Jean Charles de Castelbajac. The two were married and have two sons, Guilhem and Louis Marie.

Castelbajac designed avant guard fashion accessories as well as wrote about European trends for such magazines as House and Garden, and In Fashion, and was a European editor for Mirabella Magazine. She became a well known hostess and community servant, and was profiled in American Vogue, French Vogue, and Harpers Bazaar for her unique style and fashion flair.

After receiving her MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management in Boston Castelbajac moved to New York City and became certified as an Image and Communications Consultant by the International Image and Communications Institute. Although she works Internationally, she now resides in Santa Barbara, California.
She is a member of Screen Actors Guild, (SAG), Association of image Consultants International, (AICI) and serves as a volunteer at Jobsmart in Santa Barbara, and The Weingart Center in Los Angeles.