Archive 2013-2019
Media Release
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’s fashion program gives back to Dress for Success
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Each year, students in ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’s (ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½) Fashion Design & Production Diploma program participate in an activity that uses fashion to give back to the community. This year, the class chose to design and donate suites to (DFS), an organization that provides professional attire, career services, and skills development for women entering or rejoining the workforce.
“It might not be the part of the industry that gets the media attention, but the fashion industry is filled with examples of generosity,” said Andrea Korens, program coordinator, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Fashion. “We feel it is important to cultivate a sense of community-mindedness in our students.”
Using the skills they developed in their first 10 months at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½, students designed, drafted, and constructed a four-piece business look specifically for a client of the charity.
The suits feature fabrics donated by and local businesses like Arcteryx, Plum Clothing, Jason Matlo, and Nicole Bridger. Both looks include a tailored jacket, dress pants, and a blouse. The designs feature materials like a navy crepe and a brown pinstripe, and wardrobe additions of a vest and a casual turtleneck.
This project is the final in a series completed during ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’s first-year fashion cycle courses in which students experience a fast-paced production process including design, drafting, construction, marketing, and sales.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Fashion’s partnership with DFS also highlights the organization’s longstanding service to the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ student population. DFS has provided approximately 480 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ students and graduates with job interview outfits since 2012.
“Dress for Success’ ability to assist recent graduates on their job hunt is a service we offer that often goes under the radar,” said Jennifer Halinda, executive director, Dress for Success Vancouver. “Working with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Fashion allows us to highlight this demographic, and those from ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ that we have assisted in their careers. The two beautifully designed suits were happily received by our client, Aerin Hack [pictured].”
“We are amazed by our students’ ability to create professional suits in their first year of studies,” said Korens. “For them, it’s a great feeling to be supported by generous industry donations, and then pay it forward.”
________________________________________
For interviews, high-resolution photos, or fashion show opportunities, please contact:
Sarah Murray
Program Coordinator Fashion, Recruitment and Industry Relations
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½
604.871.7000, ext. 8668
smurray@vcc.ca
Danielle Libonati
Marketing and Communications Officer
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½
dlibonati@vcc.ca