Born in Manhattan, New York, Berman grew up in the Bronx and at the age of 7, started recycling old clothing. By the age of 15, she was working for notable, steel sculptor, Richard Shore, fabricating welded pieces for Storm King Art Center and Newark Airport. By 17, Berman decided to follow the punk rock movement to San Francisco, CA where she enrolled in The San Francisco Art Institute. While at The San Francisco Art Institute, Berman, furthering her interest in welded Cor-ten steel sculpting, majored in sculpture creation. Shortly after beginning her time at The San Francisco Art Institute, she started her career creating clothes for bands such as The San Francisco Mutants and vocalist, Silke Berlinn. During this period, Berman also attended Berkeley California for liberal arts, participating in Angela Davis's Women's Studies class as a student. Following her time at Berkeley, she returned to New York in 1979. Then in 1979, she met Bruce Douglas, an English bass player with the band Snatch, which included Douglas, Patty Palladin, and Judy Nylon. Berman and Douglas fell in love and shortly, thereafter, Berman joined Snatch as the keyboard player. Playing Max's Kansas City, CBGB's, and The Squat Theatre opening for Nico, Snatch then went to England in late 1979 for a tour, which never took place. Despite the tour not taking place, Berman and Douglas, still in love, decided to marry in London, where Berman worked at The Screen on The Hill Movie Theater. Berman, then, proceeded to be accepted to attend Central St. Martin's. While attending Central St.Martin's, she worked for designer, Zhandra Rhodes and followed the wave of punk via Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McLaren.
