PrintKwantlen News
For immediate release
March 27, 2008
Kwantlen fashion graduates showcase “Apparition” fashion show
(RICHMOND, B.C.) A future-forward and exciting year-end fashion show is being presented by Kwantlen University College's Bachelor of Applied Design in Fashion Design and Technology graduates on April 2 at the River Rock Casino Resort Show Theatre in Richmond.
Students have been working extremely hard designing and creating innovative fashion brands throughout their four-year program and are looking forward to flaunting their designs on the runway.
“The students don’t want something Mickey Mouse and that’s not what we’re going to be. Our event is a true fashion show, not a school event,” said Sharon Greeno, program instructor and one of the fashion show’s coordinators. “It’s what all of our graduating students have been working toward since the start of their fourth year, and really, since the start of the program.”
28 students will showcase three outfits from their fall collection, geared towards their niche market. The three showings have an expected attendance of at least 2,400. Some of the designs to be featured include flattering scuba wear and stylish construction wear; creative business bike-wear that takes you straight to work without changing; high-end clothing for international traveling women that transforms into a travel pillow within a minute; and for the baby boomers, some cross-cultural wear made from pineapple fibre that looks and feels like silk and is completely biodegradable.
“Attendees will not be disappointed,” explains Michael Pope, fashion show coordinator and Kwantlen fashion instructor. “There really is something for everyone. The future of apparel is here.”
The shows are also a networking opportunity for students to showcase their designs and potential brands to fashion heavyweights including Lululemon and Mac & Jac, whose reps are expected to be in attendance this year.
Pope notes, “This year we’ve really been working with a great group of students. They’ve completely rebranded the fashion show. Everything has been redesigned from the press kits to the posters to the overall look of the show. It’s gone high tech— we’re even advertising and selling tickets over Facebook now.”
The fashion program at Kwantlen has seen great success with past graduates like Cheryl Gazzard who won a national competition to redesign Canada Post employee retail uniforms, and Carlie Wong who was one of the top 12 designers in Canada on the reality television show, Project Runway Canada.
Greeno and Pope agreed that the show will be taken to an exciting new level this year. It will take place at the River Rock Casino in Richmond on April 2 and tickets are being sold for $15 for the 1:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. show and for $30 for the main event at 7:30 p.m. Contact Michael Pope for tickets at 604-599-2552 or michael.pope@kwantlen.ca.
Being the fifth largest secondary industry in B.C., the apparel industry is changing constantly to compete with global and domestic markets. Kwantlen’s Fashion Design and Technology degree is a perfect fit to prepare students seeking careers in the global apparel economy in fashion design, production, marketing and computer technology. This dynamic program features comprehensive industry-based education and training using leading-edge technology; class projects facilitated by prominent apparel companies, and an extensive internship resulting in employment. For more information, visit kwantlen.ca/applied-design/fashion.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Michael Pope
Fashion Instructor – Fashion Design
Tel: 604.599.2552
Email: michael.pope@kwantlen.ca
OR
Audrey Wang
Manager, Communications
Tel: 604.599.2385
Email: audrey.wang@kwantlen.ca