Fashion Programs: Graduate Highlights
The Blanche Macdonald Centre is pleased to highlight some of our notable alumni. These Fashion Design School graduates have excelled both personally and professionally, making an impact on a local, national and global scale. Read about their success and how Blanche Macdonald impacted where they are today.
Ash Turner
Fashion Design Graduate
Creator and Designer of Mechanic Organic
"Every day you are give the unique opportunity to become more than you have been. If you can wake up every morning, say that to yourself and believe it, it'll give you the push to make your life your own, rather than wait for someone else to do it for you. Life is too short to half-ass it."
This is the philosophy that drives Ash Turner, the creator of Vancouver-based performance artist and festival-wear label Mechanic Organic. And it’s a philosophy that’s produced both success and incredible clothes since Ash graduated from the Fashion Design program at Blanche Macdonald.
“I probably work 16-18 hours most days,” she smiles. “But I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. When I came out of Fashion School I went straight into doing custom work for individual clients. I'm pretty good at networking, so I put it out there and people started biting.”
Ash is doing much more than custom work now. She’s designing and producing collections for Mechanic Organic, retailing the lines at festivals across the Pacific Northwest and putting on club nights and fashion shows with her role at event organisers, Perception Events. It’s not the life of the traditional fashion designer. But Ash has never done anything the traditional way.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Ash Turner
Caroline Calvert
Fashion Design Graduate
Designer/Owner of Caroline Calvert Couture
When you’re dealing with the most important dress most women will ever own, things can get emotional. Couture wedding gown designer Caroline Calvert understands.
“One girl came to me a month before her wedding,” recalls Caroline. “She was almost in tears because a dress she’d bought from another store looked absolutely horrible. She was so upset and wanted to know if we could make her a dress quickly. I said, ‘No problem. We’ll rush it through and we’ll get it for you.’ She picked a dress from my collection and we got it made. The day she arrived to pick it up, she came in with her mum. She came out of the fitting room wearing the dress and no one was saying anything. I thought her mum wasn’t happy with it, but it was actually because she was crying. Her mum came and hugged me. And then we all cried!”
Turning fears into tears (of joy, of course) is all part of the service at Caroline Calvert Couture . From her stylish boutique in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver, Caroline offers a heavenly selection of wedding gowns from her collection that will be made to every bride’s individual measurements. For brides with their dream dress already in mind, Caroline will create a custom piece of couture. Every bride leaves with her dreams, at least in terms of her wedding dress, fulfilled.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Caroline Calvert
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
Hrissa Soumpassis
Fashion Design Graduate
Designer/Owner of elika designs
When Hrissa Soumpassis was twelve, her parents asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up.
“I told them I was going to be a fashion designer,” she laughs.
It was a bold prediction. Hrissa is now the Designer and Creative Director of elika designs, a high-end women’s ready-to-wear label selling to fans around the world.
“I was obsessively drawing clothing from the age of six or seven,” she smiles. “I loved clothes. I always had my own weird style.”
Hrissa took inspiration from the vintage clothing that found its way to her hometown of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and began designing as a teenager.
“I started experimenting with clothing in high school,” she recalls. “I was making outfits for my friends to wear at parties. I could do magic with fun fur!”
Hrissa had two major ambitions on graduating high school. She was going to travel and she was going to break into the fashion industry. Preferably both simultaneously.
“After high school I did a year at a fashion design school in Saskatoon,” she recalls. “It was totally ridiculous. They were geared to teaching women to become seamstresses, not fashion designers. So I studied Humanities at university then went backpacking for a year. In New Zealand I interned with a designer who taught me a lot about the industry, even how to experiment with possum fur.
“Before I left Canada I knew I wanted to enrol in a Fashion Design program. I’d loved Vancouver when I’d visited, so I found its best fashion school – Blanche Macdonald. I got back from Australia, drove straight from Saskatchewan to Vancouver and started the Fashion Design program.”
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Hrissa Soumpassis
Jill Rothert
Fashion Design Graduate
Freelance Designer
By the time you read this, Jill Rothert could very well be starting the next chapter in her fashion story on the other side of the planet.
“I’ve been speaking with a recruiter about jobs in Asia,” she explains. “He’s really interested in what I have to offer. I always wanted to work overseas, even for just a couple of years. I’m up for a position at NeilPryde. It’s a windsurfing company in Hong Kong. They’re looking to branch into clothing so they are looking to build a design team.
“There were a few other jobs we’ve been talking about too. Adidas are opening an office in Shanghai and there’s a job with Puma in Finland. I’m open to it all.”
A journey to Asia would be a big step, but not an unexpected one, for Jill. She sees her design career as a sequence of opportunities waiting to be taken. Whether it’s working at the Olympics, Obakki, lululemon or the mysterious world of men’s underwear with Naked Boxer Brief, the Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design graduate is going to make a difference with her personal fashion philosophy.
“Fashion isn’t just fashion,” she insists. “I enjoy designing clothing that is functional and wearable and has a purpose. It needs to do more than just look good.”
Read more about Fashion Design graduate Jillian Rothert
Katie Quinn
Fashion Design Graduate
Creator and Designer of Downtown Betty
If you visit the Downtown Betty web site one of the first things you’ll read is the casual glamour label’s mission statement.
“It is the goal of Downtown Betty to make products that last a lifetime in the heart of the owner, not as overflow to the landfill”.
For owner and designer Katie Quinn, there’s more to fashion than what’s appearing in that month’s magazines. She wants her clothes to be ethically made, timelessly stylish and most of all, comfortable.
“Downtown Betty isn’t trendy or seasonal,” she explains. “They’re comfortable and mobility-focussed pieces. I don’t think people get tired of the pieces. They’re cosy. It’s the type of clothing you put on and it transforms with you for three or four days until you absolutely have to wash it.”
It took a while for Katie to realise that there was a fashion designer inside her waiting to get out. Other people had spotted it long before Katie even considered taking the Fashion Design Program at Blanche Macdonald.
“My mother always had a sewing machine and my aunt told me that she figured I was going to become a fashion designer. She told me that she never met another 13-year old who would run into the house for a couple of hours, sew something up and run out again with a new skirt.”
Read more about Fashion Design's Katie Quinn
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
Sheila Wong
Fashion Design Graduate
Owner of Sheila Wong Fashion Design Studio (SWFDS), Vancouver BC
Inspiration comes in many forms.
For Fashion Design graduate Sheila Wong, inspiration blooms when art and ideas flow naturally and everything a designer could ever need is close to hand. Which is why inspiration is in plentiful supply in Vancouver’s Gastown at Sheila Wong Fashion Design Studio (SWFDS), a space where experienced and novice designers can unleash their talents in the company of likeminded fashion fanatics.
“It’s the environment we have here,” explains Sheila. “This space generates the inspiration and the networking opportunities. People come here and are able to speak to other designers, meet new clients or just show they exist. If you’re an artist working by yourself, it can be a lonely lifestyle. When they get out and get the chance to be creative with someone else, they can find the inspiration and get things going. Designers always say to me, if it weren’t for this space, I wouldn’t have gone this way with the design.”
Sheila delivers more than the inspiration of a location alive with colour and the latest works from some of Vancouver’s best visual artists. For budding fashionistas looking to take their first steps into the world of design, Sheila teaches beginning, intermediate and private sewing classes. For experienced designers, she provides everything they need to produce work that matches their visions.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Sheila Wong
Theola Wong
Fashion Design Graduate
Apparel Designer for Nike's Global Women's line - Portland, USA
Theola Wong may be petite but her career is hitting stratospheric heights as a Apparel Designer for Nike's Global Women's line in Portland. A powerhouse of talent, this Blanche Macdonald Design grad has worked as the Senior Apparel and Accessories Designer for Adidas Respect M.E. for Missy Elliott at their office in Portland and before as the Senior Apparel Designer for Columbia Sportswear in Portland and 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. She then worked as a Senior Apparel and Accessories Designer for Adidas Respect M.E. for Missy Elliott at their office in Portland
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.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduate Theola Wong
Theresa James and Roger Prince
She’s a former human rights lawyer who worked in Albania and Papua New Guinea with the United Nations. He’s a construction worker and home renovator with shoulders like an Olympic swimmer. Together, Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design graduates Theresa James and Roger Prince are Vancouver-based design team Retarded Velvet. And they are crazy for each other.
Read more about Fashion Design Graduates Theresa James and Roger Prince
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
Francesca Percival, Design Assistant, Obakki
Genette Salgado, Owner/Designer, Salgado Collection
Gillian Rothert, Designer for Men, Lululemon Athletica
Hrissa Soumpassis, Designer of Elika Designs (featured in Elle, Fashion and Gloss Magazines)
Irene Kehler, Associate Designer, Kenan
Iris Chen, Sales Associate, Club Monaco
Janet Yip, Production Assistant, Uni-Pro Apparel
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
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)
Jill Sawatzky, Owner/Designer of organic clothing line Tony Chestnut
Jillian Rothert, In house Designer, Lululemon Lab
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, Head Designer/Head Patternmaker, Tonic Lifestyle, Activewear and Tonic Tennis
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
Mikelli Orbe, Sales Associate, Gravity Pope
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
Sophia Yu, Pattern Maker, OrangeNYC
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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