Graduating students from Kwantlen Polytechnic University鈥檚 fashion program will be putting their best foot forward in Richmond next week at a professionally-produced showcase of their designs.
Presented by Tamoda Apparel, The Show on April 24 will put fashion lines from 37 emerging designers on the catwalk at River Rock Show Theatre.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a final compilation of all the work that they put together,鈥� said Andhra Goundrey, co-ordinator of the fashion design and technology program at Kwantlen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to celebrate together as a cohort鈥攖hey become a family鈥攖o celebrate with their family and friends, and also most importantly to meet with the industry.鈥�
The school鈥檚 bachelor of design, fashion and technology degree program gives students the technical skills they need to succeed in the the fashion industry鈥攆rom pattern-making and design to sewing and computer-aided design. But it also teaches students about being global citizens, encouraging them to consider the difference they can make.
鈥淭he fashion industry is really known for sometimes some of the damaging effects that it has鈥攕ocially and environmentally鈥攕o they need to consider those impacts that they鈥檙e going to have in the world too,鈥� said Goundrey.
Nicole Picco, one of the graduating students whose work will be on the catwalk, is looking forward to celebrating four years of blood, sweat and tears with her classmates.
The 21-year-old Port Coquitlam woman created , an activewear collection for curvy women that fills a void in the growing plus-size apparel industry. Bold prints, coupled with a focus on fit, comfort and quality is key to the collection.
鈥淚t鈥檚 for the fashion-loving, health-conscious curvy girl, who is energetic and outgoing and wants to show her shape. She鈥檚 not really afraid to hide her body, especially when she鈥檚 working out.鈥�
Entering the world of fashion was a bit of a fluke, she said in an interview with Black Press. Having always been a creative kid, a personality test in high school suggested three potential careers鈥攁ll in design. She chose fashion, found Kwantlen and hasn鈥檛 stopped sewing.
鈥淭here have been a lot of ups and downs,鈥� she said of her studies, 鈥渂ut I have learned a lot in the way of building confidence in myself, creative confidence, learning how to take what I have in my head and put in on paper and get in in the form of a garment.鈥�
Studying at Kwantlen has also brought out the stitching skills of Shelby Gillingham, a 22-year-old North Vancouver native. Seeing her work鈥攁nd the work of her classmates鈥攐n stage will make for an emotional night, she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just going to be one of those experiences that may not happen again. It鈥檚 such a big show to put on and we鈥檝e all worked so hard to put it get together.鈥�
Remembering flipping through Vogue magazines as a young girl, Gillingham said she has long had a passion for textiles. Her grandmother taught her to knit, and she started sewing in high school.
She鈥檚 also an accomplished field hockey player. Before graduating she considered pursuing a sports scholarship, but she chose fashion school instead.
Her final collection is NVRLND: apparel for the female motorcycle rider. Safety and functionality are key to the garments, which draw inspiration from the West Coast.
鈥淚 found that there is a gap in the market for riding apparel that takes the aesthetic of high end sportswear designs, but also maintains functionality and safety within the garments, so I really wanted to bring that combination together.鈥�
Despite a growth in female riders, designs available for women tend to be masculine and have a bulky fit, said Gillingham, who works as a design assistant at Lululemon Athletica.
鈥淣VRLND really pushes the boundaries against the stereotypical biker chick look. I really wanted to focus on bringing a more fresh, feminine and luxurious look to the runway.鈥�
Keisha Lowes, 21, brought her love for the outdoors into the design room. The North Delta woman鈥檚 clothing line, Compass Travel Co., is a men鈥檚 travel collection aimed at the 30- to 45-year-old male who craves adventure. Earthy neutrals, cool blues and crisp whites are notable in the easy-to-care-for fabrics.
鈥淚 really strive to make something that people really need in their life. There鈥檚 a lot of fashion that鈥檚 available that we don鈥檛 need鈥攁 lot of excess. Creating something that鈥檚 going to withstand time and really fill that void that someone鈥檚 looking for is something that I strive to do with all my designs,鈥� said Lowes.
Lowes started sewing early in life. Her interest in fashion really blossomed in high school with textile classes. Her Kwantlen experience was overwhelming鈥攍earning the ropes of the fashion industry is much less glamourous than she thought鈥攂ut now as a graduate, she鈥檚 excited to see how her cohort will change the industry.
鈥淚鈥檓 really happy the way everything went, and I learned so much. If it was what I expected it to be, I wouldn鈥檛 have gotten as much out, and I wouldn鈥檛 have grown as much as a designer and a person.鈥�
The Show 2014
鈥 fashion showcase from graduating students in the fashion and technology program from Kwantlen Polytechnic University
鈥hursday, April 24 at 1, 3 and 7 p.m.
鈥ickets are $18 for matinee shows, $38 for evening show; available at
