Fashion Programs: Graduate Highlights
Blanche Macdonald Centre is pleased to highlight some of our notable alumni. These graduates have excelled both personally and professionally, making an impact on a local, national and global scale. Read about their success and how BMC impacted where they are today.
Genette Salgado
Fashion Design Graduate
Designer/Owner of the SALGADO collection - Vancouver, BC
After graduating from Blanche Macdonald Centre’s Fashion Design Program with top marks and an achievement award for Overall Portfolio Presentation, Fashion Design Graduate Genette Salgado launched her own self-titled label, S A L G A D O. This very talented designer also has a BA in Anthropology and a background in athletics and performing arts, and has channeled her creative and competitive spirit into a beautiful clothing line for the trendy, flirty and confident woman.
"Blanche was more than I expected, and I already had high hopes prior to the start of my program!” says Saldago. “The teaching staff is incredibly talented and knowledgeable, and I was very fortunate to have been part of a very inspired and inspiring class. We were all able to create a very supportive environment in which we could all grow into unique designers. It was an immensely gratifying year.”
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Genette Salgado
Lisa Malcic
Fashion Design Graduate
Designer/Owner of the Beba Bean Design Inc. Vancouver, BC
Inspiration can arrive from strange sources. A falling apple was Isaac Newton’s first step towards developing of his theory of gravity. Seeds sticking to George De Mestral’s dog’s fur led him to invent Velcro.
For Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design graduate Lisa Malcic, owner of the Beba Bean line of baby wear and gifts, inspiration came directly from her infant son, Alex. Every time she or her husband Peter changed his diaper, young Alex would take the opportunity to pee on his parents. In an effort to stay dry Mr and Mrs Malcic invented the Pee-pee Teepee, defensive cones of cotton to place over the little hose during danger moments.
The rest is history. Today the company that began with these pee protectors is sells its lines in retailers including Gap Home, Babies R Us and Barneys New York, and California boutiques like Kitson, La La Ling and Fred Segal. Beba Bean now has over 120 sales reps across North America and boasts A-list celebrity clients including Brad and Angelina, Will Ferrell, Colin Farrell, Nicole Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Matthew McConaughey and Gwen Stefani.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Lisa Malcic
Marcie LeBlanc
Fashion Design Graduate
Co-owner of Style Bridge - Victoria, BC
It hasn’t come as a surprise that Marcie LeBlanc is making waves in the fashion community. Marcie graduated from Blanche Macdonald at the top of her Fashion Design class in 2005, and before long she was collaborating with owner Christine Lavdovsky on the reopening of the popular boutique Style Bridge in Victoria, BC.
Having formed a successful business partnership and friendship, Marcie and Christine now use Style Bridge as home for their three exclusive house labels Stil Brucke, Ludmila and BlackFish WhiteFish. And it’s not just us who’ve been impressed. Marcie and Christine’s talents were officially recognised by Vancouver Island’s Times Colonist, being awarded the title of ‘Most Awesome Clothing Design of 2008’ for their highly customizable dresses which are created by hand according to the vision of the customer.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Marcie LeBlanc
Matthew Burditt
Fashion Design Graduate
Owner/designer of Oak Custom Clothing - Vancouver BC
Matthew Burditt has designed clothing for alt-folk/indie rock artist Regina Spektor indie vocalists CocoRosie and New York City’s Antony and the Johnsons, who have performed with Bjork and Lou Reed. He is also working on garments for a few local bands.
“I got a job in the industry quickly, actually right after graduating, at Copasetic. It is a great job that has given me invaluable experience with every aspect of the apparel industry. I have been involved in everything from logistics to trend forecasting and I work closely with all aspects of the company,” says Burditt.
“The education and experience I received at BMC was very important to me acquiring and maintaining my position here. I never know from day-to-day what skills I will need to use, from illustration to organization, technical drawing to pattern drafting - even the lingo, which I had never heard before the course. I have learned to be more direct and self-sustaining and most importantly, to look at it as what it is – business,” says Burditt.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Matthew Burditt
Roberta Rodger
Fashion Design Graduate
World Champion Snowboarder and Designer, Foursquare Outerwear Collection
Okay, wow, we are impressed. A hit of Google and “Roberta Rodger snowboard” brought up page after page of articles and accolades, photos and awards. Sheesh, what does “slays rails” and “halfpipes” mean? Uhmm, memo to us, must ask Roberta.
Roberta Rodger is a world-class, world champion professional snowboarder who, in her nine years as a professional boarder, won the World QP Championship in 2001, was part of the Sessions pro-team, part of the Canadian National Halfpipe Team and was a co-owner of an all-female snowboard company, Chorus, who built snowboards for women by women in a male-dominated sport. The list of accomplishments is endless Rodger, and has no doubt appeared in the various snowboard magazines that have featured her in competitions and photo shoots around the world.
Who better than to design outerwear and streetwear for the Women’s Spring collection for NOMIS – which will be shown at the ASR this Fall – or apply her knowledge and skill into designing the California-based Foursquare’s Outerwear Collection for 2009? Rodger’s love of snowboarding and her passion for sewing and fashion make her the perfect candidate to infuse fresh style on the slopes.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Roberta Rodger
Roger Shum
Fashion Design Graduate
Marketing Manager (市場銷售部經理) at Doriano International Ltd. - Hong Kong
Roger Shum began his career in Fashion Design as an Assistant Designer for Doriano International Ltd. in 2001. In 2003, he became a Marketing Executive worked with a variety of suppliers, designers, models, photographers, make up artists and magazine editors. In 2005, he began working for a production house until returning to Doriano as a Marketing Manager in 2007.
"We did the Joyce Show, The Lane Crawford Show, and last but not least …the most important one, we did the first Vivienne Westwood Show in Hong Kong in 2006,” says Shum. “Ms Westwood was in attendance with her entourage. I met her. She was lovely."
Of his time at Blanche Macdonald Centre, Shum says, "The Fashion Show Production, Hair and Make up courses in the Fashion Design Diploma program are excellent. Fashion History is also extremely helpful and Fashion Awareness I and II courses are essential.
I think I learned a lot more from BMC than some fashion design students I meet in Hong Kong. Their course is more manufacturing and production based compared to BMC."
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Roger Shum
Theola Wong
Fashion Design Graduate
Senior Apparel/Accessories Designer at Adidas Respect M.E. for Missy Elliott - Portland, USA
Theola Wong may be petite but her career is hitting stratospheric heights as the Senior Apparel and Accessories Designer for Adidas Respect M.E. for Missy Elliott at their office in Portland. A powerhouse of talent, this Blanche Macdonald Design grad has worked as the Lead Designer for Reebok Lifestyle at their head office in Boston. There she led a team of Reebok designers responsible for their Skateboard line, which includes the DGK collaboration with Stevie Williams and the inhouse Reebok Skate collection, the dance-inspired street fusion line for women named Rhythm, and the "Bringbacks", Reebok's perennial classic collection of old school favourites.
Her design savvy is inspired by street artist and music environments, sports, new technologies, her ability to feel each cities' vibe and being open to creative challenges as well as business challenges.
"Vancouver is a global presence", she says when it comes to chatting about fashion, music, art and culture in this city.
It was on a fast and furious trip to Vancouver that BMC caught up with her. Theola took time out from her busy schedule to talk to the Design and Merchandising students about her incredible career path. A BMC home girl, she has kept in constant touch with her Instructors at Blanche Macdonald since graduating.
"There are so many areas of this industry other than design (pattern making, production, etc). It was good to learn about them all at Blanche Macdonald in order to really figure out where to sink my teeth in. It's been almost 8 years since graduating and I still keep in contact with the school. They have been unfalteringly supportive and enthusiastic about each of my endeavors", says a very grounded Theola Wong.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Theola Wong
ROLL CALL
A selection of Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design graduates and their career placements.
Aimee Grane, Knitwear Designer, Chloe Angus
Alesha Frederickson, Knitwear Owner/Designer, March & August (designs and constructs bags, accessories and clothing from recycled plastics)
Chantelle Pellerin, Graphics & Clothing Designer, Cocymela Yoga Wear - Whistler
Dace Moore, Designer, Dace (carried at Holt Renfrew and many stores throughout North America)
Emanuelle Renaud, Technical Designer, Aritzia
Erin Mairs, Operations Manager, Obakki
Genette Salgado, Owner/Designer, Salgado Collection
Hrissa Soumpassis, Designer of Elika Designs (featured in Elle, Fashion and Gloss Magazines)
Irene Kehler, Associate Designer, Kenan
Janet Yip, Sample Coordinator, Sugoi
Jason Robins, Artist/Designer, JR Fashion
Jayn Simpson, President/Designer, Jayn Simpson (featured in Style, The Globe and Mail, The National Post)
Jeannette Heins, Production Manager, Patricia Fieldwalker Lingerie
Jenna Pearce, Designer, Rice Society - based in Taipei, Taiwan
Jennifer Habicht, Production Manager, Justina McCaffrey Haute Couture
Jenny Sandberg, Owner/Designer of Hawks Ave., Designer for Papillon Eastern
Jessica Leung, Key Accounts Coordinator, Elevate Sports (licensed merchandiser for 2010 Olympics merchandise products)
Joyce Ma, Designer, Tension Clothing, T, Sweet Chemise, Coy Cat
Kaitlyn Quinn, Designer, Mintage
Katie Quinn, Designer/Owner of boutique Downtown Betty and Costume Designer for Television and Film; credits include Dear Mr. Gacy, Year of the Carnivore with Sook-Yin Lee and Pain Killer Jane.
Kelly Schmidt, Creative Director, Blanche Macdonald Centre
Kim Cathers, Owner/Designer, kdon, (finalist on Project Runway Canada)
Lauren Ingle, Creative Director, Freshwater West
Lauren Ingle, Assistant Designer, Blushing Designs
Lauren Osmond, Store Manager, MANDULA
Lisa Malcic, Owner/Designer, Beba Bean Designs Inc. (over 450 accounts worldwide)
Lyndi Barrett, Publicist, Jason Matlo; BC Fashion Week etc.
Mandy Brost, Teacher Assistant, Blanche Macdonald Centre
Matthew Burditt, Owner/Designer, Oak Custom Clothing
Marcie LeBlanc, Co-owner/Designer, StyleBridge
Megan Dunn, Creative Director, Damsel Funk
Megan James, Designer, Giraffe Dactyl
Melissa Rosvold, Designer, Vie Maternity
Michelle Rasmussen, Senior Boardroom Designer, Boardroom Custom Clothing
Nadine Chong, Assistant to the Designer, Shelley Klassen, Blushing Designs
Roberta Cottam, Designer, Blue Bear Aware
Roberta Rodger, Designer, Foursquare Outerwear Collection
Roger Shum, Marketing Manager, Doriano International Ltd.
Sarah Korba, Lingerie Designer, Melons and Sweetcheeks
Shannon Wilson, Designer, Lululemon Athletica
Sheila Wong, Production Manager, Aritzia
Shereen Guliani, Book Manager for the Fashion, Style & Crafts Department, McNally Robinson Booksellers
Sydney Wharton, Technical Designer, Please Mum
Tanya Close, Owner/Operator, Fit to a T Fashions
Tenille Magnuson, Head Designer, Aritzia
Theola Wong, Senior Apparel/Accessories Designer, Adidas Respect M.E. for Missy Elliott
"Tucky" Aalto, Garment Graphic Artist, Agoo
Wedan (Diane) Jawhari, Designer, Nidal-Zahar Haute Couture in Lebanon
Wen Chee Liu, Assistant Designer for Jason Matlo, Jason Matlo
Ying Ying Zhang, Seamstress, Lululemon
Yumi Mizuno, Manager in Training, JNBY
Note: some of these fashion design graduates may have changed positions in the interim.
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