EDUCATION
Clo3D Virtual Fashion Design Certificate
Parsons - School of Design | Toronto, Ontario, CA | August 2023 – Present
Bachelor of Design - Fashion Design
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | September 2017 – June 2021
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Technical Designer
Joe Fresh| Toronto, Ontario, CA | August 2023 – Present
Designer and Design Researcher
Freelance | Toronto, Ontario, CA | April 2022 – Present
Design Team Lead
Kloth Studio | Toronto, Ontario, CA | January 2023 – June 2023
Fashion Designer
Kloth Studio | Toronto, Ontario, CA | August 2021 – December 2022
Community Relations Ambassador
Ryerson University - Creative Innovation Studio | Toronto, Ontario, CA | September 2020 – April 2021
Teaching Assistant
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | September 2020 – December 2020
Supervisor: Dr. Sandra Tullio-Pow (Associate Professor - School of Fashion) for the FSN 707 (Research Methods) course
Research Assistant
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | January 2020 – March 2020
Supervisors/Collaborators: Dr. Sandra Tullio-Pow (Associate Professor - School of Fashion), Pui Yee Chau (Contract Lecturer - School of Fashion), Caron Phinney (Assistant Professor of Design and Diversity - School of Fashion), and Jonathan Anderson (Director - Creative Technology Lab)
Design Intern
Inlighten Co. | Toronto, Ontario, CA | September 2019 – March 2020
Alterations and Customer Service Representative
CMA Cleaners - Finest Cleaners | Toronto, Ontario, CA | May 2019 – March 2020
Fashion Design Intern
Aragon Couture | Ottawa, Ontario, CA | May 2018 – August 2018
Customer Service Representative
Interiors and Notions | Toronto, Ontario, CA | September 2017 – April 2018
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Research Volunteer
University Health Network - KITE Research Institute | Toronto, Ontario, CA | April 2022 – May 2022
Co-President
Ryerson University - Fashion Course Union | Toronto, Ontario, CA | April 2020 – April 2021
Vice-President of Events
Ryerson University - Fashion Course Union | Toronto, Ontario, CA | April 2019 – April 2020
Vice-President of Operations
Ryerson University - Fashion Course Union | Toronto, Ontario, CA | May 2018 – April 2019
RESEARCH
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | September 2019 – Present
ADAwear is a developing fashion brand that provides accessible clothing solutions by taking a human-centered design approach and co-creation process. The initial conceptual idea for this adaptive clothing design project originated in a human-centred design course led by Dr. Sandra Tullio-Pow, Associate Professor at Ryerson University School of Fashion. Subsequently, the prototype was developed at the Kent State University Fashion / Tech Hackathon 2020 and then the business idea was further refined in the Ryerson Innovation Student Experience (RISE) 2020 virtual incubation program.
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | September 2020 – April 2021
Undergraduate thesis that explores the intersection of fashion, technology, and kinetics. Kinetic fashion is largely seen in the couture, costume, and performance wear industries, however, this thesis project focuses on how the concept can be applied to everyday modular fashion. The objective of the project is to demonstrate how specialized technologies and materials can be folded into textiles using kinetic pleating techniques, allowing for practical applications, such as functionality, accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. View the project video here.
PROJECTS AND COLLABORATIONS
Ryerson University - Fashion Course Union X Fashion Zone | Toronto, Ontario, CA | March 2021
Served as lead project coordinator for the virtual interdisciplinary student competition involving 60 students, 13 teams, 36 hours of collaborative hacking / designing, and 1 challenge. View the post-event highlights here.
Ryerson University - Global Campus Studio | Toronto, Ontario, CA | September 2020 - December 2020
Collaborated with interdisciplinary students from Ryerson University and Seoul Institute of The Arts to create an interactive magazine experience that utilizes audio-visual and augmented reality (AR) technology to expose readers to a global platform featuring disabled artists, creators, designers, and allies. View the GCS Showcase here (Toronto-Seoul section).
Ryerson University - Creative Innovation Studio | Toronto, Ontario, CA | June 2020 - July 2020
Worked with a team of multidisciplinary students to develop a business idea during an 8-week virtual incubation program for fashion entrepreneurship. The resulting business idea, ADAwear, is a developing fashion brand that provides accessible clothing solutions and was selected as one of the top pitches during the final presentations.
Kent State University - School of Fashion | Kent, Ohio, USA | January 2020
Participated with a team of students to develop an accessible clothing prototype and business idea in 36 hours. Our project, named ADAwear, utilized human-centred design principles to develop an adaptive coat with many features that aim to improve the user experience and facilitate ease of donning / doffing for wheelchair users. The resulting prototype / business idea was submitted to a panel of judges and was awarded 2 prizes. View the hackathon submission details here.
SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
ARTS THREAD | Toronto, Ontario, CA | August 2021
Showcased undergraduate thesis project Folded Technologies. View the portfolio submission here.
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | June 2021
Showcased undergraduate thesis project Folded Technologies in the digital exhibition, docuseries, and live show.
International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Annual Conference | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | October 2019
Showcased 2 design submissions accepted into the juried undergraduate student design exhibition. View the Risk and Reward Design Exhibition Catalog here (pages 103 & 104).
INTRO Exhibit & Runway Show 2019
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | March 2019
Showcased a coordinate suit in the runway show and a gouache painting in the exhibit.
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Logistik Unicorp | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, CA | March 2021
Awarded first place winner in the annual student design competition that aims to foster fashion design professions and promote new trends in uniform garments. The winning submission involved redesigning the uniforms currently worn by Canadian airport screening officers utilizing design research with a human-centered design approach.
Ryerson University - Creative Technology Lab X Design Fabrication Zone | Toronto, Ontario, CA | January 2021
Selected as one of nine student innovators and received funding, mentorship, and technical support in order to propel the project forward in new creative ways.
Helen and Sulo Hutko Award
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | December 2020
Awarded to students with extraordinary contribution to the School of Fashion, Ryerson University, and the community.
Best Concept that Addresses User/Customer Experience that Encourages Social Justice Award
Kent State University - School of Fashion | Kent, Ohio, USA | January 2020
Awarded by Burton D. Morgan Foundation during the Kent State University Fashion / Tech Hackathon 2020 to a project that addresses a user/customer experience and encourages sustainable practice or social justice.
Most Market/Venture Potential Mentorship Award
Kent State University - School of Fashion | Kent, Ohio, USA | January 2020
Awarded by LaunchNet + Enventys during the Kent State University Fashion / Tech Hackathon 2020 to projects that show market promise and are ready for further project development.
Alice Mitchell Whitley Award in Apparel Design
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | November 2019
Awarded to fashion design students who exhibit leadership and service to the Ryerson School of Fashion.
Lindt Award for Design Excellence
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | November 2019
Awarded to fashion design students in the Ryerson School of Fashion for excellence in evening wear design.
Sandra Haynes Memorial Award
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | November 2019
Awarded to students enrolled in the Ryerson School of Fashion who demonstrate academic excellence.
Helen and Sulo Hutko Award
Ryerson University - School of Fashion | Toronto, Ontario, CA | November 2019
Awarded to students with extraordinary contribution to the School of Fashion, Ryerson University, and the community.
David & Anna Bulmash Award for Innovation in Fashion
Ryerson University - Fashion Zone | Toronto, Ontario, CA | November 2019
Selected as one of two student innovators and received funding to explore wearable technology.