VCC fashion students get to work for local initiative
Vancouver Community College fashion students are designing to give back.
Using the skills developed over the past 10 months in their program, the students have designed, drafted and constructed a four-piece business suit to be donated to the local initiative Dress For Success — with a pleasantly surprising twist.
Andrea Korens, the school’s fashion program co-ordinator, chatted with Postmedia News about the program, sizing and why giving back works.
Q How did the students go about choosing Dress for Success for this year’s activity?
A Dress for Success Vancouver (DFSV) was the perfect charity to receive the Fashion Cycle 5 suits because DFSV supports VCC grads and have dressed 480 of them over the course of five years. Also, the product that our students were creating fit well with the charity’s mandate to provide professional attire for women entering or rejoining the workforce.
Q What will the activity entail?
A In the Fashion Cycle course students designed, branded, drafted, prototyped and finally produced looks tailored specifically to a size large women’s figure. This course not only requires students to construct technically challenging garments, but it also gives them experience working with the average woman’s body, which is much neglected in the fashion world.
Q How many suits will the initiative see donated this year?
A Two suits have been donated. They each include a tailored jacket, dress pant, blouse and a knit item like a vest and turtleneck.
Q The fabric used for the suits has a pretty cool story too. What can you share about that?
A All of the fabrics used in this project were donated by industry partners and friends of VCC Fashion programming, including designer instructors Jason Matlo and Sunja Link, local brands Arcteryx, Nicole Bridger, Plum and not-for-profit Our Social Fabric. Turning to the local fashion industry for fabric, and the amount of textiles donated, showcases just how giving our industry can be.
Q Lastly, why is it so important to have fashion initiatives like this that give back?
A Today’s fast-fashion industry has razor-thin profit margins that leave little room for people or the planet. This isn’t sustainable. We feel it’s important to invest in our community, while valuing high-quality garments that are made to last. By helping our students develop waste-reduction strategies, business savviness and good citizenship, we hope to build a better future.