初次見到Yupin Tsai的人，都會立刻被她輕柔又有些害羞說話方式所吸引。這樣內斂的性格，却藏在她一頭紫紅色挑染短髮和高於眉梢的齊瀏海造型下，极具反差。 Yupin有著一顆樂於冒險，不安於現狀的心。她簡單又實事求是的處世以及學習態度，讓她成為深受老師喜愛的學生。

“在Blanche Macdonald，每個人都在為了成功而奮鬥著。”

零售業採購一直是她夢想的工作，也正是因為如此，Yupin懷揣著夢想選擇來這裡開始她的學習。她的目標一直非常明確，那就是尋找一座新的城市去鍛鍊以及培養她的獨立性。

“我聽說有個朋友在這裡學習國際市場營銷的專業後，毅然決定來到Blanche Macdonald學習。其實Blanche Macdonald在台灣非常有名！”

來到一座新的城市生活，對於一個國際學生來說，最大的挑戰就是語言。每天放學後，Yupin都會專門留下和時尚營銷專業的系主任還有任課老師, Donna和Peggy 一同再復習一遍學習資料。這也讓她感受到學校的老師們對於學生非常的關心和負責。

“Peggy和Donna在下課後花費了無數小時和我坐在一起，僅僅是為了確保他們能夠幫助我解答了所有的課業問題，讓我可以跟上學習的進度。我非常感激他們，也非常感動。“

來到溫哥華生活和學習令她成長了很多，不僅僅是學業上。她的其它方面的能力也都得到了很大的提高，離開父母身邊後的每一天，她都在不斷的成長和進步。

“我變得越來越獨立。以前我屬於那種‘媽寶’型的孩子，” 她一邊回憶，一邊不由笑了起來。“自從來到這裡生活，現在的我學會了如果做飯，如何在新的地方不迷路。”

畢業回到台灣後，Yupin很快就發現曾經在課堂里學到的知識，在她離開溫哥華後對她產生了很大影響和幫助。在BMC國際時尚營銷專業的學習給了她創業的自信，並且這影響著她每一天在自己創辦的電商公司 Nine to Night上的決策。憑藉著對台灣時尚文化的敏銳嗅覺和分析，她能夠有針對性的不斷滿足客戶們的需求。Yupin主要穿梭往返於泰國以及韓國兩地進行採購，並且通過社交媒體渠道建立與客戶們的聯繫，提升客戶忠誠度。在短短一個月之內，她就已經收穫超過3500個“贊”，並且這個數字還在不斷增長。

Yupin把所有她所學到的寶貴知識歸功與她的老師們，她已經具備了戰勝每一個挑戰的能力，變得更加獨立與自信。這一紙BMC的畢業文憑，不僅僅是一張文憑那麼簡單，而是一份她無限潛力的證明。

有沒有一些給其它學生的建議？

“不斷努力，並且對自己有責任感。你將會飛躍成長進步。”

Public Relations maven Talya Lee is where effortless street style and old-school hustle come together. Following her love of the arts and honoring her wanderlust roots, she circled the globe after graduating from Blanche Macdonald’s Global Fashion Marketing Program, dipping her toes in the most exotic of locales. Today, with her feet firmly planted in Toronto’s bustling creative community and PR circles, Talya’s days are a whirlwind of fashion, events, travel, and collaboration amid Canada’s epicenter for the arts.

Streaming in via Skype from Toronto on a chilly afternoon, Talya’s signature mass of dark brown curls vie for a majority the screen as her metal, minimalist accessories glint in the sunlight that haloes her head and shoulders. Everything about Talya—from her posture to her grin—speak volumes about this genuinely cool and humble social media maven. Leaning in eagerly towards the screen, Talya offers greetings and kind words from her bare-lipped smile that immediately sets a tone of old friends catching up rather than a cross-country Skype call. Talking New York Fashion Week, Canada’s national treasure (hint: you probably know her too!), girl power and Toronto’s artistic renaissance, here’s Talya giving us an insight to her self-made, ultra-chic and creatively centered world.

Blanche Macdonald: A quick glance at your social media platforms tells us that you do a lot, but your main gig is PR.

Talya Lee: PR is my bread and butter and my outlet. The reality is that if you want to be doing something creative, it can be hard to make money. I found that with my role at Langton PR, it was a really great spot for me to be and I’m actually good at it! But because I have a great day job, I can be a bit pickier about the other projects I take on. Those vary from creative direction to styling to branding awareness and strategy; basically, whatever is needed visually. I’m very familiar with all kinds of art so I can connect to it in a lot of different ways. PR helps me translate the visual aspect into branding strategy.

BMC: Tell us about the PR work you do with Langton. What kind of events do you go to? What types of clients do you work with?

TL: Working at Langton has been a great learning experience. We focus largely on beauty and lifestyle brands and build multi-tiered initiatives. I myself get to straddle a couple of different roles such as Account Management as well as Social Media Strategies. Every day is completely different. Some days I’m planning a big event for a new product launch for key VIP media and other days it’s about driving a new social media campaign with influencers. We have been really lucky and worked over the years as a team and as individuals to build great initiatives around brands like Joico, Elizabeth Arden, Vita Liberata, and so many more. I think one very important lesson for all of us has been in learning the power of being a great team—working as a unit and not being afraid to get our hands dirty because the road to success isn’t always glamorous. 

BMC: You must have made a lot of great connections so far in Toronto.

TL: It was a lot of pounding the pavement, but social media was really great for making connections and networking too. You can see someone’s gallery, for example, and you can immediately understand their hustle. I met a lot of people who I love to work with now just by reaching out over social media. The thing is, in this city everybody is a mover and a shaker, so it’s not weird to reach out to someone and say, ‘Hey, I love what you do. Can we connect?’ But I also did a lot of collaborations for free. As people started moving up in the world, they started taking me with them.

BMC: Do you have any PR tips for those looking to get into the industry?

TL: Never stop doing your research. The landscape is changing constantly and it’s important to be plugged in. Pay attention to who and what is a ‘come-up’. You’re more likely to be able to get time to network or collaborate with them than you are with someone who is extremely established. Consider where you might want to be and figure out ways to create mutually beneficial learning experiences. I think it’s really important to remember how important your personal brand and reach is. So much of what you do is going to rely on your relationships and how people perceive you, so give a lot of thought to how you market yourself on social media and conduct yourself in public spaces. Also, decide what you feel passionate about and work towards working in that realm. I love beauty, fashion, music, art… I try to work in those areas as much as possible so I can find joy in the long days and long to-do lists!

BMC: On the flip side, what are some PR no-nos?

TL: Don’t speak negatively in shared spaces—online, parties, gatherings, et cetera. News travels quickly, and if you’re caught speaking negatively, especially early in your career, you’ll never recover from it. Don’t get drunk at networking events. Don’t forget to follow up. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, either—make sure you’re working as many angles and opportunities as you can. 

BMC: Let’s go back a little. Tell us about the career journey that took you from growing up in Edmonton to attending fashion school and then finally to making Toronto home?

TL: I was about to turn 25 and I realized that no matter what I was doing, I cared more about the clothes than what I was actually doing. I’ve always been obsessed with the ‘ensemble.’ I did some research and Blanche Macdonald’s Fashion Marketing Program popped up with all of their impressive alumni. I knew people who had gone and loved it. Plus, I’d always wanted the chance to live in Vancouver for a minute. Blanche Macdonald is a school where you get from it what you put in and that was made clear to me at the beginning. I went into things with that attitude and it seemed to breed success for me. All the things you get to learn in the program—from Merchandising to the Marketing side of things, and then courses like Fashion History—they are so, so vital. [Executive Program Director] Peggy Morrison is a national treasure! I feel that getting to be in her classes really changed the course of my life – that’s when I started looking at fashion as a distinct art. [Fashion Director] Tyler Udall also served as a huge source of support and inspiration to me - he continues to keep up with my work and offers feedback when I need it. He was actually the one to push me towards PR. He told me it would come naturally to me. This was funny to me because it wasn’t my plan at all but he was totally right. 

Vancouver was perfection while I was there and I do miss it, but it wasn’t quite my speed and vibe. I initially went home to Edmonton for a minute and opened a boutique PR agency there. It was when I started getting opportunities in Toronto to cover Fashion Week for Kenton, a connection I made through [Blanche Macdonald Instructor] Lyndi Barrett while I was in school, that I realized this city was totally my vibe. So I sort of just integrated myself into it.

BMC: You founded HER Collective in 2014, not too long after graduating and moving to Toronto, and it’s become renowned as one of three all-female creative collectives in Eastern Canada. Plus, you have some rad Blanche Macdonald grads involved, like Lydia Okello of @styleisstyle. What was the inspiration behind that? 

TL: HER Collective was started based on my trust, work and energy exchanges with women in the creative community. I wanted to create a space where we could share ideas, projects and advice and where it was required that we promote each other and support each other without questions asked. It needed to be a space that was ours! We were all working hard on individual projects in fashion, beauty, PR, editorial, marketing, SEO/SEM, social media marketing, visual merchandising, writing, photography, styling—you name it, we were doing it—and we needed a meeting place for it. 

It started as a place for us to share our work with the world, but now it’s shifting into a platform that provides this safe space for creative and working women everywhere. We will be accepting input and contributions from women outside of the collective, so that they can share their work with our support and mentoring. Additionally, we want to work hard to continue to connect with and support other collectives run by women. I’m not interested in fighting to share the spotlight; I want us to commit to uplifting one another!

BMC: With so many projects on the go, do you have a motto or mantra you turn to that helps you power through them? 

TL: I do. I don’t know if it would work for everyone, but it works for me. It’s ‘Use your head, but work from the heart.’ A lot of people struggle—especially in this industry—with individuals who aren’t genuine, but I actually don’t know how to be like that. I’ve never been that person. I find that speaking from the heart and getting to know people has served me really well. So I work from the heart and work really hard. I still study and I try to not get too comfortable. I also try to practice integrity and humility all the time, but when I need to be confident, I find the confidence. So much of this life is about being a chameleon and adapting.

BMC: And what do you find drives you in your work?

TL: A lot of things! I’m hungry for greatness all the time and I’m always growing or pushing myself. I’m driven by message, and like anybody, I’m driven by results, especially longevity. You do a project, you knock it out and it goes into the world and that’s great. But five years later, that project could really mean something to somebody; I really like the idea of being able to leave my mark in some way, whatever it is. I’m also driven by other people’s ways of hustling and mentoring. I try to do that as much as possible. There’s a lot of joy in getting to be part of somebody else’s growth.

BMC: What would you say is the accomplishment you’re most proud of?

TL: Being able to drive home a message of women supporting each other in creative fields is one of the things that makes me most proud, as well as being able to collaborate with the people I do. We work closely with as many other women as possible, removing the narrative that implies that women can’t work together. We consider teams like #Gyalcast, broke&living and LotusXGang to be our co-conspirators. We all pool our resources and work together to be better creatively and in business.

On a more tangible note, it was probably New York Fashion Week September 2013. That was a big week for me; I really connected with some people there and got to have a face-to-face with Kelly Cutrone, who really inspires me. I remember having this moment like, ‘If you work really hard, you’ll actually get to these spaces you only ever dreamed about.” I also did a really interesting project last year that I’m still so proud of. I styled a political film about the death of Michael Brown and the #BlackLivesMatter movement that went to Tribeca. I was so honored to do what I love on a project that meant so, so much.

BMC: You must bring a unique aesthetic to your work, then.

TL: I bring diversity to the projects I work on and a lot of references. I also study a lot. It’s the result of a lot of different kinds of exposure. My mom was a travel agent so my family was always traveling. We didn’t go to Disneyland, but we went to places like Singapore, Oman, Spain, and Japan—really amazing places that shaped [what] visually stimulates me now. But it’s constantly evolving. I’m always like, ‘I’m fucking with this right now and there’s this other reference I love over here; how can I combine them?’ A lot of it comes from me getting in touch with myself and knowing myself.

BMC: What was the last thing that inspired you? 

TL: I went to the Prado in Spain and saw ‘real life’ art there, like Picasso and that shifted things for me visually. That was [a kind of] art I hadn’t really taken in yet. I’m always inspired by music, no matter what’s happening. Luckily for me, I live in a city where a lot of the best music is coming from and I get to be part of that picture. I can’t explain the renaissance that’s happening over here in Toronto, but it’s epic.

BMC: Not too long ago, you were featured in Cosmopolitan for your impeccable street style. What style tips  do you have for the fashionable set wanting to work their street-style game? 

TL:

1. Do you. Be authentic and don’t wear something if it doesn’t feel right for you.
2. Wear shoes you can walk in.
3. Take care of your body, hair and skin. Those are the places you exude confidence.
4. Always have a really great jacket around that fits the season.
5. Have your signatures. For me lately, it’s been Indian-inspired fashion like bindis, bangles and heavy eye makeup. Just connect with things you like and make them new and fresh for you!

Photo credit: via Talya Lee @talyalee on Instagram and Cris Saliba @justcriso on Instagram.

What a weekend! The 2016 edition of the Vancouver International Makeup Artist Trade Show (IMATS) was the best yet, as thousands of Makeup Artists, ranging from the professional to recreational, descended on the Vancouver Convention Centre to stock up on product and inspiration. 

Both were in plentiful supply on the Blanche Macdonald/CurliQue Beauty stand, which drew large crowds as Makeup Program Director and industry legend Todd McIntosh demonstrated his prosthetics wizardry over the course of a Sunday afternoon. Proving that the possibilities of Makeup are indeed limitless, Todd created a realistic alien in a matter of hours – using discarded prosthetics pieces he retrieved from the bottom of a cupboard in his studio!

It wasn’t just industry veterans creating magic. In the Battle of the Brushes, the ultimate competition for new Makeup Artists, Blanche Macdonald students shone, taking a superb second in the Beauty/Fantasy category, and filling the podium – taking first, second and third – in a hotly contested Prosthetics competition, crafting aliens on the theme of Four Decades of Star Wars.

For Prosthetics first place winner Devon Burbank, her victory was a triumph of tenacity over setbacks.

“My airbrush broke a few days ago so I bought a new airbrush and that broke too,” she revealed, minutes after her victory. “We fixed it yesterday and today it broke again. So today’s paint job was sponges and q-tips. Today’s been a flux of emotions. It was an incredible experience and an amazing opportunity to be part of this event. I’m filled with joy. When they said my name I thought I was going to hit the floor. But I didn’t!”

The Battle of the Brushes Prosthetics Competition is the ultimate mix of preparation and inspiration. With prosthetics pieces handed out at random 20 minutes before the contest begin, an artist’s ability to instantly harness creativity is invaluable.

“I was excited to have random prosthetics thrown at me,” continued Devon, “Because I love creating on the spot. I like doing makeup on the spur of the moment. That’s when I feel my heart is into it. I was going to use a bald cap but that was all I knew. I was given two eyebrow pieces, a chin piece and two cheek pieces. The cheeks didn’t fit well or look right, so I flipped them and added them to my model’s collarbones, which made them look so defined.”

Blanche Macdonald’s competitors did have a small advantage: personal sessions with instructor Kari Zantolas and two-time Emmy Award-winner Todd McIntosh in the days preceding the contest.

“I was happy to give each of the IMATS contestants my critiques,” explained Todd. “It was up to the individual artists to take that advice where they wanted. I can’t push them or make decisions for them. It’s always going to be their makeup.”

For Devon, a one-on-one session with one of her Makeup idols nothing short of an emotional experience.

“I’ve been a huge fan of Todd McIntosh since I was ten years old, when I watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek,” she enthused. “The fact that he took time to critique my work was amazing. He suggested so many ideas about hiding edges and folding things out. Todd is incredible. At the end he gave me a full hug and I freaked out.”

The honour and pleasure of working alongside a Makeup icon was echoed by second place winner Eva Svobodova.

“Working with Kari and Todd was a great experience. They gave me such great advice. Todd was tough. I liked to hear what he didn’t like and thought I could change. Our time together was really detailed.” 

Eva is no stranger to the Battle of the Brushes, having taken a fabulous First Place in the Beauty/Fantasy category at the Vancouver IMATS last year.

“I knew I could do Beauty/Fantasy so I wanted to try this too. I enjoy prosthetic and effects makeup as well as beauty and fashion makeup. Every time I can create a character, I’ll take that opportunity. I’ve been freelancing since I graduated. I’ve done a few independent movies, and a lot of fashion shoots. I’m going to try to keep doing both. Why not? If the opportunity comes to do prosthetics and effects, I’ll do it!”

Completing Blanche Macdonald’s sweep in the prosthetics competition was third-place winner Erin Geer.

“I really wanted to make a Sith Lord – something really dark that could give you nightmares. I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew, but I chewed it! In three hours I did a bald cap, fitted five prosthetic pieces and did a quarter body paint, which was a lot. I didn’t want to be given ears, but that’s what I got and I loved them. They really completed the character.

“Six years ago I went to a different makeup school. They told us about IMATS but I didn’t understand it and forgot about it. Then I came to Blanche Macdonald and we found out about the IMATS right away. I said, I’m going to do that and I did! Who knows where this will lead? I would love to make a career body painting. If I could just create aliens, I would love that too!”

Day Two of the Vancouver IMATS came with more triumphs, as Cinthia Torres took a fabulous second place in the Beauty/Fantasy competition, becoming Blanche Macdonald first graduate from our Freelance Makeup Program to win at the Battle of the Brushes.

“When I heard my name for second place I couldn’t believe it. It took a couple of seconds for it to sink in. I’m really, really happy. And shocked!”

Building on the competition’s theme of Carnival/Circus, Cinthia’s carousel-inspired look wowed the judges with its elegance and classic beauty.

“The carousel is a symbol of a vintage carnival,” she explained. “I spent a lot of time building the dress, and I knew after that the makeup would come together. I wanted to make my model look beautiful, not just weird or avant-garde. That’s why I concentrated on making her eyes so beautiful.”

Cinthia had warm words of thanks for Blanch Macdonald instructor Breianne Zellinsky, her personal mentor in the lead up to the IMATS.

“Breianne was so soothing. Any time I had concerns, or felt down, she was always a rock. Everything she said from the beginning was the right advice. Even today, when some of the other competitors had done these elaborate creations, and I began to feel like mine was too simple, Breianne told me to believe in myself. When you do something with love, people can see it.

“My time at Blanche Macdonald was really fun and interesting. I met a lot of friends and people that inspired me. Things I didn’t know I could do, I started doing them. I was given more than tools. I was given the push to create. I would ask my instructor, Win Liu, about a certain look and she would say, why don’t you try it? What if I make a mistake? Then you make a mistake and move on. I wanted to do a Korean style bridal makeup in my bridal class. LucyAnn Botham said go for it. They want to push your limits. That shows that they care.

“I was working in a bank before I came to school. Now I’m doing makeup full time. I’m doing photo shoots and I own a bridal Makeup Company. I want to do even more. I want to reach people. It’s not about money. It’s about expressing yourself. Makeup is how I express what I feel!”

The Blanche Macdonald Centre would like to offer our warmest congratulations to all our Award Winners, along with huge thanks to Todd McIntosh and all our students and staff on the Blanche Macdonald/CurliQue Beauty stand whose hard work was at the heart of an unforgettable weekend!

Think working as a wardrobe stylist means a never-ending stream of free clothes and cutting edge looks? For Blanche Macdonald Fashion Marketing graduate and Cross-Canadian stylist Jessica Clark the reality is a little different.

“As a stylist people think you’re always working with high fashion. But on commercial jobs I need to make people look real. That’s what my job is a lot of the time. My clients are trying to sell a product, so I’m trying to meet the creative vision of the ad agencies and art directors. How can I make this actor or model look like they own this product? How can I make them look like the target market?” 

Jessica is adept at answering those questions. Regularly travelling across Canada, from her native Alberta to Vancouver to Toronto and beyond, she’s styled for household name brands like Revlon, Maison Simons, Honda, Adidas, Kate Spade, Vince Camuto, Poppy Barley and American Crew. Her portfolio is understandably full of high end looks for magazines, designers and modelling agencies, but Jessica is acutely aware that being a successful stylist requires more than surfing the wave of the latest trends.

“I was recently flown to Toronto to work on an ad for an agricultural supply company,” she continues. “It doesn’t sound glamorous but it was an amazing campaign. A young farmer is proudly looking over the fields thinking ‘This is all going to be mine some day.’ If you’re working on a farm, you’re probably not going to be wearing an expensive jacket. I needed to make the clothing look like it had been worn for decades. The images are telling the story, so those images need to be believable. For a job like that I make mood boards so everybody is on the same page. We’re a team, so I’m in constant communication with the clients and photographers. I want to be sure what I’m providing is what the clients want. And if they don’t like my first choice, I have five other outfits on hand ready to go.”

Professionalism comes naturally to Jessica. Her father is a commercial photographer and he provided the teenage Jessica with an introduction to the world of advertising, opening doors as she began a brief modelling career. It was on one of those modelling gigs where Jessica had her first encounter with the world of professional styling.

“Stylists weren’t common growing up in Alberta, so when this guy started putting my belt on backwards, telling me to put my dress on backwards and throwing another dress over the top I thought it was so weird, even though I understand what he was doing now. I asked him what he did, and he said he was a stylist. I thought, that sounds like a fun job. I like putting outfits together.”

The seed had been planted but would have to wait for germination. Soccer, snowboarding and an enlightening backpacking trip around South America came first, before Jessica began studying for a degree at the University of Alberta.

“I was sitting in the library at University and a girl said to me, ‘You’d be really good in fashion. You’re always dressed up.’ It was true. I’d never come to school in sweat pants.”

There were fashion elements to the Human Ecology Program Jessica had begun, but it wasn’t the thorough fashion education she was searching for. It was time for fate to step in.

“A friend of mine was going to Blanche Macdonald. She told me about the school, I looked online and saw that the Fashion Marketing program had courses I wasn’t getting at university: things like styling and modern fashion history classes. How could I integrate myself into the fashion industry if I didn’t have current information? I could see that the teachers were actually in the industry. Seeing that Tyler Udall had worked for Alexander McQueen was incredible!”

Knowing that she’d return to University once she’d completed her program, Jessica headed to Vancouver eager to maximize her time at Fashion School.

“I could relate to what my teachers were saying because it was so current. I loved Tyler’s styling class and Peggy Morrison’s fashion awareness class; the way Peggy could compare something from the 1920s to something on trend today. We had all these inspirational people teaching and telling us about what they’d done. I became immersed in the program and wanted to get involved in everything I could. I was going to Fashion School. I was working at a restaurant. I was blogging about fashion. And I volunteered at every fashion show Career Director Mel Watts could get me into. When I started the program I told her, ‘I want to be your number one girl. I want to be at everything!’

“At the same time the documentary, The September Issue, had just come out. Grace Coddington and the way she spoke were so inspiring. That’s when I knew I needed to become a Creative Director and a stylist. There’s so much more to fashion than just putting clothes on. It can tell a story, I wanted to tell those stories too.”

Jessica was willing to put in the hours, charming her way into a string of internships at fashion magazine The Lab, the marketing department at Holt Renfrew, the e-commerce department at Aritzia, and with pro stylist Yvadney Davis. 

“Mel posted that a stylist was looking for an assistant. I was the last candidate Yvadney interviewed and she hired me on the spot. I think she could see my excitement and passion. I was so eager to be a part of everything the fashion industry could hold. She could tell I’d do everything I could to get the job done.

“Yvadney taught me to think outside the box and not always play it safe. It’s easy to look at a mannequin and think, ‘That will look good together on a model.’ But it’s ok to push the boundaries and go a little weird. Unconventional ideas are what leave an impression.”

Jessica moved back to Edmonton, completed her degree and launched her styling career. She’d had the inspiration. Now came the time for perspiration.

“I connected with the modelling agencies and ad agencies in Edmonton and began building those connections. I found a niche market in the city, as there was hardly anyone working there as a stylist. I did trade for print photos to build my portfolio and soon jobs started coming my way. Two years ago I started working with Roth and Ramberg, who are successful commercial photographers across Western Canada. They’ve given me so many opportunities.

“Revlon came into Edmonton for a trade show and needed a stylist to style their models. I was responsible for styling 18 models over two days. One of their team found me just by googling ‘Edmonton Wardrobe Stylist.’ That was two years ago and now I’m their national wardrobe stylist. I fly all over Canada when they need someone to style their models.”

Turning a passion into a career has been a labour of love for Jessica. But even though she still adores fashion, she insists that it’s the people and the creativity that gets her excited for the future and pumped for work every day. 

“The exciting thing is hearing concepts from people who are so passionate. It’s always cool to meet other creatives  – photographers, makeup artists and designers – who are passionate about their work and art.

“I’m planning on returning to Vancouver and would love to move into costuming in the TV and film world along with my commercial and fashion work. I already styled a short film called Glory River that was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival and was bought by Telus Optik.”

Let’s be honest. Jessica has a dream job; flying around Canada, working with blue chip brands, and telling stories with clothes. It’s an achievable dream too. As long as you’re prepared to learn and work.

“Know your fashion history, fashion eras and designers,” stresses Jessica. “It’s painfully clear when someone doesn’t understand the references, saying things like ‘That’s so 1920s’ when it’s from the 1950s. Those eras are so defining in our culture and still influence the industry today.

“Treat everyone with respect and stay humble, including volunteers or assistants on set. You never know who is going to end up being your boss some day. Always present yourself well too. If you’re not put together how can you put anyone else together? You’re coming to style people, so you should have style!”

Website: www.jessicaclark.me
Instagram: @JCStyling
Twitter: @JCStyling

This year at Vancouver Fashion Week, there was a runway platform unlike any other: The first-ever collaborative show between Blanche Macdonald and the city’s top-trending sartorial event unfolded under the eyes of the city’s fashion and media industry elite. 

From the moment the models began to emerge, it was clear that this showcase was a showstopper. Ten carefully curated Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design alumni from all over the world revealed three looks each to a packed forum of wall-to-runway journalists, bloggers, photographers, industry professionals, and fashion fans.

The audience found themselves whisked from one delight of to the next – first transported to the lively and eccentric world of Alex S. Yu; then to the fabulous collection of Evan Clayton’s magical-girl couturiere; then awed by the hand-formed and dyed wool of Garret Alexander Elphee’s singularly unique creations; then tantalized by the glittering animal prints and feathers put to use by Maryam Asgari. The startling range of stories, aesthetics and influences displayed by this prodigious international set of designers elicited the standing ovation that capped off the inaugural BMC x VFW show.

Alex S. Yu (@alexsyu) - Taiwan-born and Canadian-raised Alex S. Yu aimed to blend his worldviews, his nationalities and his cultures together in his collection "THE PERCEIVED ANALOGY." Leaving us speechless, Alex’s work proved that identity is fascinating, complex, and ever-shifting. His contemporary designs are synonymous with youth and whimsy. Alex was selected as this year'sNancy Mak Award recipient which celebrates innovation and the evolution of new designers within the industry. With this award, he is also given the opportunity to show his collection in the London or Paris showroom. 

Chloe Prusa (@prusadesigns) - We stepped into the boudoir with Chloe Prusa. The Victoria, BC-native designer explored the traditional design techniques of classic lingerie sets, using lace and leather in creative new ways in her collection “UNWEARABLE,” an homage to “classic kink.” 

Dasha Volokhova (@dashavolokhova) - Gleaning inspiration from historical costumes, Russian-born Dasha Volokhova's designs combined old-world aesthetics with new-world fashion. Focusing on intricate needlework and fabric manipulations, Dasha's designs were nothing less than wearable works of art.

Evan Clayton (@evanclayton) - Taking cues from the classic Japanese “magical girl” trope and serialized manga like Sailor Moon and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Evan Clayton used patent leather and silk twills to create signature sharp silhouettes for his collection “MAHŌ SHŌJO.” A VFW veteran, BC native and the first-ever recipient of the Nancy Mak Award, Evan's collections have garnered immense attention from the media and landed a show in Vienna Fashion Week.

Garret Alexander Elphee - For his current collection, Garret Alexander Elphee began with the concept of "sterile yet sexy." Though that was the springboard for each look, he made sure that each piece was allowed its own natural evolution. Garret's collection was less a compilation of elements than an expression of how it feels to share the intimacy of artistic expression with the public and that is instantly judged by the masses.

Kari Appelquist - Referencing her Saskatchewan roots and Industrial Engineering background, Kari Appelquist employed a myriad of shapes, tones and textures in contrast with each other to evoke a female empowerment. Her collection used animal elements like ostrich leather and handcrafted embellishments like chain mail to abolish conventional beauty standards in favor of the complex, contradictory and cutting-edge.

Li Liu - Luxurious silks combined with the most delicate of twills and crepe de chine were married in rich bundles and bows for China-based designer Li Liu's “DREAM OF A GEISHA” collection. Currently completing her Master of Fashion Design in Florence, Li's designs were based on colourful Asian antiquities for the independent businesswoman.

Maryam Asgari (@maryamfashion.ca) - Born and raised in Tehran, Maryam Asgari expressed her passion for colour and flounce on the runway. In her collection, Maryam combined body-conscious silhouettes with animal elements and signature flourishes of sequins, mesh, knits and paillettes.

Maryam Niyazi (@maryamniyazi1) - Afghanistan-born designer Maryam Niyazi's collection was first conceived from glancing up at the small, squared mirrors on the ceiling of Columbia Station in New Westminster. Loving the reflection and its repeating pattern, Maryam designed a repeating print that became the focal point of her collection. Through handmade details and clean, simple silhouettes, Maryam invited us into a structure of her own creation.

Sara Armstrong (@sararmstrong) - Sara Armstrong's new concept collection embodied her loyalty to heritage craftsmanship that she at once subverted with complex geometries and the aid of HRI (Human Robot Interaction). Surrounded by a swell of silks, taffeta and linen, Sara's collection came to life with no time, season, wearer or size restraints - they simply are. A winner of the Nancy Mak award and previous VFW presenter, the Saskatchewan-native and Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design instructor  explored the spaces between success and strain – all in the colourful mode of “thumb-throb red.”

The success of the inaugural BMC x VFM Alumni Fashion Show was a tribute to the hard work of the graduates and staff at Blanche Macdonald, with special mention due to the inspirational leadership of President Lily Lim, the endless efforts of Fashion Director Tyler Udall, Career Director, Fashion Department Mel Watts, Creative Director Kelly Schmidt, Associate Marketing Director Natasha Eng, Social Media and Marketing Coordinators Allie Samborn and Rheanna Miller, and Social Media and Creative Content Coordinators Kendahl Jung and Mohamad Ali Ibrahim.

Infinite gratitude to the backstage team, shoes and accessories coordinated by Danielle Muntain and help by a team of volunteers from the Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing programs. Instructors Jon Hennessey and Lisa Callendar and their volunteer graduates and students from the Blanche Macdonald Makeup and Hair Departments ensured the models looked as spectacular as the collections. Thanks also to our DJ Hana Pesut (Sincerely Hana) for providing an amazing soundtrack to the show.

The entire team at Blanche Macdonald would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to all the staff at Vancouver Fashion Week and our corporate sponsors, Make Up For Ever and Revlon.

Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ll be familiar with the work of Charlotte Tilbury. You’ve seen her handiwork on some of the most famous faces in the world, as Charlotte is the makeup artist Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Penelope Cruz all call when they need to look their best. Which, in their lines of work, is a regular requirement. Quite simply, Charlotte Tilbury is makeup royalty.

Wherever Charlotte is working, Blanche Macdonald makeup graduate Kelly Mitchell is close by. Kelly travels the world from her new home in London, England as the National Artistry and Development Manager and a star member of the Global Pro Team for Charlotte Tilbury Makeup.

With two roles at a rapidly expanding company, plus a growing number of private clients, Kelly stays busy. That’s fine with her. She loves every minute.

“Every month I’ll do two or three starter trainings in the UK, Ireland or Amsterdam as the National Artistry and Development Manager,” she explains. “That’s a five-day course when we introduce new starters to our brand, whether they work in head office or for one of our retail accounts. We teach everything from Charlotte’s history to the brand’s philosophy and positioning, to doing practical makeup training. The next week I might be with Charlotte in LA, Chicago, New York or Vancouver to support her at a Global Pro Event. I might fly to Milan Fashion Week and do some shows. I also work once a week in the office creating content, developing and testing products and colours. For me it’s the perfect balance. I love planning and the business side of work, but I would never want to give up the artistic side of makeup. I love the diversity of this job!”

Kelly’s infectious enthusiasm for the makeup line makes her a natural saleswoman. But that positive attitude didn’t just arrive when she got the job. She’s been that way since she started studying at Canada’s top Makeup School. 

“I didn’t wear much makeup in high school, but I loved painting and working with people and fashion. I figured I would become a Makeup Artist and have a fun job while I’m young, then I would get a real job a few years later. My opinion about the makeup world changed quickly once I came to Blanche Macdonald. I’d never realized how many incredible opportunities there are in this industry and how I could develop my business skills.

“I was really eager. I was the student that stayed behind helping out and asking questions. I wanted to go for it. I realized I was learning from some of the best artists in the world. I was inspired by their work and what they’d achieved.”

Inspiration takes many forms. For Kelly, a giant leap in her artistry was accompanied by the realization that she could achieve anything she set her mind to, as long as she was willing to put in the work.

“Was I the best Makeup Artist in my class? No! I was good, but probably not the best. But I had a keen business sense and knew how to work with people. That’s perhaps more important than makeup ability. That was the most important thing I learned at Makeup School: the understanding of how art and commerce works. You have to work hard, assist and be willing to clean brushes. You need to make yourself stand out in a competitive field.”

Kelly stood out. In her last week at Makeup School Dior held a casting call for new Makeup Artists. Kelly won the job, rising to the position of Senior National Artist over five happy years with the brand. She moved to London and was working as a Studio Manager and Assistant Head of Education at a makeup school when one of her many contacts led to an opportunity and an interview for a new makeup line.

“I met Charlotte Tilbury when I was helping Emma O’Byrne, who is a celebrity Makeup Artist in London. At the time I went for interview the brand was so young there was only 14 staff. I was actually offered another job with a bigger brand on the same day. That would have been more secure but I could tell I would be part of a growing business with Charlotte. I knew about her from my time at Blanche. She’s one of those iconic artists whose work everyone knows. If you flip through any copy of Vogue you’ll see something that Charlotte has been involved with. I loved her spirit and everything she stands for. I thought, ‘If this incredible Makeup Artist has her own brand, I want to be a part of it.’

“My job combined my two passions – inspiring and developing new Makeup Artists, while still doing fashion shoots and shows and working with celebrities. I knew the brand would be incredible. In the interview the director told me I’d be getting on a rocket ship. It has been! Since then I’ve been lucky enough to work on Stella McCartney and Kate Moss. It’s fabulous to meet these iconic people, but the second you meet them you realize they’re normal girls! One day I can be doing makeup on Joan Smalls, the next I’ll be working in Selfridges London helping a customer look her best, boosting her confidence and helping her achieve her goals.”

One recent and very welcome stop on Kelly’s global travels was the Makeup School where her own adventure began. Speaking to Blanche Macdonald students about Charlotte Tilbury and her own personal journey into the upper echelons of the makeup business, Kelly had some pertinent advice for grads looking to follow in her illustrious footsteps.

“For Charlotte Tilbury artists we need great artistry and professionalism. We can’t have one without the other. If you’re an incredible artist with a bad attitude or you’re late, I’m not going to book you. If you’re a good artist, I can train you to be great. But I can’t train you to smile or have a good attitude. Personality and passion is what I’m looking for. 

“We meet a lot of Makeup Artists and it’s the people that offer to help when we’re packing up that we remember. Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile. If you’re trying to reach people and they don’t reply to your first email, keep sending them through. Be kind and supportive and you’ll get noticed.”

That’s great professional advice. And if you do find yourself travelling around the world growing a global brand and making celebrity clients beautiful, Kelly has another tip that you won’t find in any makeup book.

“I bring a big pillow with me wherever I go. I look crazy going through the airport but I know I’ll be able to sleep on the plane!”

Photos provided by Kelly Mitchell @lifeofkellydawn and Charlotte Tilbury's Instagram @ctilburymakeup unless otherwise noted.

Everybody loves a trip to the spa as part of their wellness routine. But at the same time, not everyone has the opportunity to get out and give themselves the attention they deserve.

That’s where Blanche Macdonald Esthetics graduate Tessa Patko and Mojo Mobile Spa enter the picture. If the people can’t come to the spa, Tessa will bring the spa to the people.

“I’m providing services that clients might not otherwise be able to enjoy,” she explains. “Mojo Mobile Spa is aimed at people who don’t have the convenience of going to the spa, like busy mothers, people with health issues or people who don’t have transportation. We’re working regularly with seniors’ homes now, which I love. I began receiving calls from grandchildren who were looking for people to go into the homes and give services. The need was there, so I started doing what I could to help. It really warms my heart to do those services. We’ll do a soak, a massage and a polish and these seniors feel revived! They are really appreciative, love the attention and love to talk – as do I!”

Mojo Mobile Spa’s reputation is growing fast. She was a finalist for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year, named as one of Richmond Review’s 30 Under 30 business stars, and has been nominated for a business excellence award by the Surrey Board of Trade. Taking treatments to private clients, hospitals, hotels, pamper parties and corporate events across Metro Vancouver, Tessa already employs her own team of Estheticians, many of who come to her directly from Blanche Macdonald.

These honours and achievements haven’t arrived by accident. They’re the direct result of years of hard work. Luckily, Tessa is doing what she’s always loved.

“I’ve always been interested in beauty and skincare,” she continues. “I started experimenting with fashion, makeup and taking care of myself in my early teens, and I always loved going to the spa. Before that, when I was a little girl my Dad used to travel a lot and would bring back lotions from the hotels he’d stayed in. I’d tell my friends that if they put the lotions on their faces every day they would look like Barbie!

“After high school I studied business and began working behind-the-desk at administrative jobs. That wasn’t for me so I went backpacking for a couple of years to think about what I wanted to do with my life. On the last leg of my backpacking trip I visited my grandparents in England. I was getting a pedicure with my Mom and she suggested I look at the world of esthetics. I was mulling it over with my grandparents and thinking about how they’re so caring and how they always go the extra mile to make people happy. Their names are Morris and Josephine – which inspired the name of my business, Mo-Jo! I’m continuing the family heritage! As soon as I returned to Canada I registered at Blanche Macdonald. I was passionate about esthetics and liked the wide variety of things the program covered. And I knew from reviews that Blanche Macdonald was the best Esthetics Program in Vancouver."

Tessa arrived at Blanche Macdonald with high expectations. But even she couldn’t have anticipated how her year at Esthetics School would provide the inspiration to write her own life story.

“I made the right choice!” she beams. “School was awesome. We were constantly giving and receiving treatments. I was looking forward to going to class every day. When we started learning about the anatomy of the body and skin conditions I was worried because I’d never done well in science classes up to that point. But relating it to esthetics got me so interested. I was top of my class! I can’t explain the type of camaraderie and the atmosphere that was created there, but it helped me excel. We received a lot of individual attention, not just about the schooling but also about our personal growth. I was treated as an individual, and I was able to maximize my personal potential. I’d never had that experience with any other school or university I’d been to. Lots of people can do treatments, but things you learn in that program, particularly about yourself, are irreplaceable. That year at Blanche Macdonald changed my life.”

Tessa still smiles when recalling her time with Esthetics Director Simona Gozner. Four years after graduation that connection is still strong.

“Simona is one of my mentors. She’s going to be a mentor for life. She gives me peace of mind. She helped me evolve as a person and a businesswoman. She built that ladder for me to climb. I know I can still come to her with anything. She’s the first person I call when I’m looking for estheticians. If she has students she thinks would benefit from getting out into the field for some work experience, I’m happy to take them on for a project.”

Invigorated and itching to show Metro Vancouver her newfound esthetics and business skills, Mojo Mobile Spa was born.

“I was an eager beaver!” laughs Tessa. “But first and foremost I was an esthetician. I started off out of the back of my car doing massage, waxing, body wraps, facials, nails, spray tanning, and eyebrow and eyelash tinting. But I needed to hire people and get a web site and my marketing going. I was wearing so many different hats. There was always something to do. Now my focus is on my team’s development, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop giving treatments, whether it’s a Mojo appointment with clients or friends coming over for a glass of wine. I’m my team’s and their guinea pig, so I’m still giving and receiving treatments regularly.”

Tessa did it all when Mojo Mobile Spa began, but now she’s focussing on the business as she’s boldly taking spa services where they’ve never gone before.

“We've participated, sponsored and or donated to many local fundraisers. Things like Women Making a Difference, The Nite of Hope, Parkinson's Society, Touchstone Family Services, Pathways Clubhouse and Rotary International. By being an active part of the community I've been introduced to some incredible people.”

Showing that Mojo Mobile Spa cares is a key part of Tessa’s day to day activities. So is finding and training motivated and independent-minded estheticians excited about joining her team.

“I’m always looking for more estheticians. They’re subcontractors, so it’s exciting for me to help them set up their own businesses and get their careers going. To be part of the Mojo team you need a vehicle, of course, but it’s more important to have the right attitude. My estheticians are working independently all day, so they’re responsible for getting to their clients on time and doing a great job when they get there.

“Estheticians don’t get enough credit for giving so much during their treatments. They’re putting their heart and soul into every client. Estheticians working for me must be patient and compassionate. Those are qualities all estheticians should have, but our clients can have health issues or disabilities that they need to bear in mind. We tend to have more interaction and talking with clients than in a regular spa environment. Not only are our clients looking for a treatment like having their nails done, they’re looking for camaraderie. Having the opportunity to be touched can really make a difference in their day.” 

Tessa may be less hands-on as Mojo’s business’ expands. But inside, the unmistakeable heart of an esthetician – one that genuinely cares about everyone that crosses her path – beats harder than ever.

“I’m busy but I’m doing things that warm my heart and make a difference to the people around me. I’m passionate about helping people feel good. When I know that seniors are getting help, I still get an incredible sense of fulfilment. We’re developing real strong relationships. We’re not gossiping, we’re having quality moments, talking about their lives and getting advice from people with experience. It’s really magical.”

Daemon Cadman’s classes are always full of creativity and laughter, but that doesn’t mean she’ll ever accept less than the very best from her students. Behind the incredible artistry, positive attitude and ever-present smile, Daemon possesses a tenacity that she routinely passes on to her students at Canada’s Top Makeup School.

“I treat people in the classroom the same way they’ll be expected to work outside of school,” she explains. “You’ll have days when everything goes wrong. It happens to all of us. I tell students, if you’re going to have a meltdown, go to the bathroom, have a cry, then come back and do your makeup. On my first day in the Effects Shop working on Star Trek Beyond I sat in the bathroom three times because I was so stressed out. But you either quit or you do it. You look yourself in the mirror, go back out and do your best work.”

That stressful first day in the Effects Shop blossomed into seven weeks of work painting prosthetic appliances for aliens for one of this year’s guaranteed blockbusters. Which is remarkable, as Daemon doesn’t consider herself a Makeup Effects Artist. But it makes perfect sense once you understand that her entire career has been a series of unexpected triumphs. She never even set out to be a Makeup Artist.

“I grew up in a very artistic environment in Vancouver,” she recalls. “My Dad played in bands and my Mom was a writer. It was a very free environment. My Mom bought me face paints when I was about seven, which was also when I found some David Bowie and Kiss albums. I would roller-skate around the block with blonde pigtails and my face painted, usually like Ace Frehley.”

Life took a tragic turn when Daemon’s brother was murdered in 1992, triggering a radical change in her family’s lives that culminated in her father becoming Canada’s lone independent Member of Parliament. Searching for an emotional and creative outlet, Daemon formed the industrial rock band Waiting For God, touring Canada and the West Coast. Despite the band’s critical and commercial success, it couldn’t last. 

“I didn’t know what to do when the band broke up,” she admits. “Music had given me a focal point up to then. A friend was at Blanche Macdonald and needed a model for a hair class, so I volunteered. As I was sitting there I thought, I might be able to do this. I’d done theatrical makeup and my band was pretty Goth, so I wore a lot of black Makeup. I thought it would be a natural fit!”

Considering the great artist she’s become, it comes as a surprise to learn that Daemon wasn’t an instant star in the classroom.

“I struggled at first,” she admits. “Everyone seemed to be good at bridal and pretty, soft makeup. My makeup would be heavy-handed or theatrical. I wore over the top makeup and all my friends did too. My teacher, Alannah Krutina, sat down with me and told me to grab basic makeup photos and look at them every single day. I did exactly that and eventually started to understand the artistry involved in it. I always appreciated my teachers’ honesty. They would tell me when something wasn’t good enough, and how to fix it.”

One short week after graduating Daemon was already on the set of her first student film. Which is where she learned that despite her initial nervousness, she would be able to overcome any challenge. 

“They forgot to tell me that a stunt double was coming in! My actor had long blonde hair and the double had dark hair. I needed to come up with a quick solution. I ended up taking hair gel, scooping out some yellow foundation, mixing it up and slapping it on. It was horrific to look at close up, but it created an illusion for a longer shot. And it worked! You never know what’s going to be thrown at you as a Makeup Artist. You have to adapt!

“I wasn’t aiming to get into TV and film but the offers kept coming. This business is all about networking. You have to get out there and work. I really wanted to create fashion and avant garde makeup but I would take any makeup job that came along. I demoed for Calvin Klein at Holt Renfrew, which seemed like a strange fit as I had purple hair at the time. I was doing shoots and fashion shows in boutiques. I was hustling all the time.”

With the heart of an artist beating inside her, Daemon wanted to explore new techniques and opportunities. This was before Blanche Macdonald had incorporated an airbrush module into our Makeup Programs. So she bought one of her own and took the first workshop she was able to attend. 

“The workshop was essentially ‘Here’s how to use it, don’t hurt yourself!’” she laughs. “Not long after that I was contacted by Molstar Entertainment which led to me doing bodypainting every time the Molson Indy race was held in Vancouver which was a great gig. I kept the connection, and that led to bodypainting work for Audi. When you have a good connection it will almost always lead to other jobs.”

Daemon’s artistic and interpersonal skills led to work for Vancouver’s Absolute Spa Group, cosmetics line Fudge Warpaint and countless others. But her favourite job, one she has cherished for over a decade, is her role as instructor at Canada’s top Makeup School. 

“Blanche Macdonald is special. Everyone here will share everything they know. I honestly want my students to be better than me! I love teaching. I’m literally painting every single day I come in. But the thing I love the most is when I see my students doing well as professionals. I’m so happy for them.

“I try to inspire students. I’m honest with them too. That sometimes means telling them that they’re aiming too high and their ideas won’t work right now. They might work in the future, but they need to build their skills first. Of course it’s fun to be creative, but I tell my students, ‘smoky eyes are probably going to pay your rent.’ They realize that creating a flawless face is an art itself, even though not everyone perceives that immediately.”

Students in Daemon’s airbrush classes instantly understand that they’re learning from one of the best. Expanding from the face to the entire body, from fashion looks to entire characters, is always challenging. Skill and creativity are essential. So is confidence. 

“The principles of art are the same but if I gave an artist a four by four canvas and said, I need a masterpiece in four hours, they’d tell me that they couldn’t get it done in that time. With bodypainting you need to get a masterpiece done in four hours. You’re working on a person that needs to take breaks and get on with their life. I tell students that they can do it, but there are no do-overs. You can’t always wipe it off and start again. If it’s not going according to plan you need to morph your idea and make it work.”

Making things work is a running theme in Daemon’s life. Which is why when her husband, special effects wizard and fellow Blanche Macdonald grad and instructor Holland Miller, saw that Joel Harlow’s effects shop needed a helping hand airbrush painting aliens for Star Trek Beyond, he knew exactly who they could call.

“I was supposed to be there for a week,” laughs Daemon. “After three days I was painting a character when Joel Harlow walks in, says nice to meet me, and tells me that I need to come up with a separate paint job on the piece for another shot; the same species of alien, but recognisable as a different character. I came up with another idea and Joel loved it.

“There are no practice prosthetics at that level. The first piece I worked on cost $12,000. That means ‘Don’t mess this up!’”

Photos provided by Daemon Cadman:
facebook.com/daemoncadmanmakeup
instagram.com/daecadman

With thousands of artists, stylists and designers soaring into our halls from around the world each year, our classrooms have become dynamic global communities under the unitedly diverse banner of our Blanche World – a United Nations of creativity! In a glorious culture clash, our International students import a vibrant collection of new customs, insights and inspiration that colour our world in exciting new ways. The leap from their home countries to our corner of Canada comes with big change, courage and incredible journeys. Speaking in the international language of passion, we sit down with our global talent to talk the dreams that brought them here, the challenges they overcame, and all about the power of being an artistic representative in a new country. Meet the burgeoning stars that have joined us from around the globe in our UN storytelling!

"Fashion Design is my passion. I never get tired of what I do. It’s hard to put in words, but I never imagined I would love fashion and design the way I do. It’s just the right thing for me."

Though Anahita Monzavi graduated from Canada's Top Fashion School in the spring of 2015, she was immersed in the world of Fashion Design well before that. Originally from Esfahan, Iran, Anahita worked for over eight years in fashion before moving to Canada, with five of those years spent running a showroom and designing custom evening and bridal gowns for a myriad of A-list clients. With an inherent knack for design, Anahita is proof that talent and fate so often fall hand-in-hand. When she walked through our doors on her first day at Blanche Macdonald, we knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.

"When I first came to Canada,” she says, “I spent a lot of time researching and talking to people about which school I should go to. I already had experience so I didn't want to go back to Fashion Design school for four years. My friends and family who are from Vancouver said that I must go to Blanche Macdonald, that it was the best school. After that I did not look anywhere else."

After spending a mere two years in Vancouver, Anahita has gone from excelling as a student to shining as a mentor and instructor for budding designers. She's been impressing the fashion community since she first enrolled at Blanche Macdonald, so her accomplishments have come as no surprise. Investing the same attentiveness in fashion instruction as she does with her professional career, Anahita credits the mentorship of Senior Pattern Making and Construction Instructor Brenda Swinglehurst as well as Program Directors Peggy Morrison and Donna Baldock for her academic successes. 

"Studying here [at Blanche Macdonald] was the best decision I ever made,” Anahita says. “I loved every minute of it and appreciated all of my teachers so much. I'd have to say that Pattern Drafting and Garment Construction with Brenda were two of my favourite classes. I also loved Fashion Awareness with Peggy and Fashion History with Donna. I wanted to absorb everything they had to say."

Anahita’s graduate collection was an absolute knock-out. She was awarded the Special Award for Innovative Use of Materials, and for good reason. With a discerning eye and an explorative nature, Anahita constructed a crimson corset made entirely from blown glass. This difficult, labour-intensive technique resulted in a truly extraordinary garment that erased the boundaries between visual and wearable art. 

“I was originally inspired by stained glass windows,” Anahita explains. “The shapes and colours of the window really caught my eye. I knew it would be very hard task to create customize pieces of glass to use in my collection, but I had always wanted to do something different and challenging. I decided to take on the project. I attended glass fusing, glass blowing and glass flaming [courses] in order to learn how to make my elements. As this was a new idea and making these pieces was very hard with the fragility of the glass, nobody was really able to help me in certain areas of construction. So, I had to do it myself. The hardest part was making the mold for each piece and making holes in the bustier for the laces. Making that bustier and then being able to drill the holes for the laces successfully – after almost 15 tries – was my best moment. I stayed strong and tried over and over again till I finally made it.” Looking back at this process now, Anahita recognizes it as one of her proudest moments.

Other looks in her graduate collection included a strapless suede romper with hand-blown glass cups and a brocade satin cutaway coat with hand-embroidered, beaded, fused-fabric lining. To say it left the audience speechless would be an understatement.

Following graduation, Anahita went back to her design roots, creating a formal wear capsule collection of ten pieces. She went on to dream up a more casual label tailored to the west coast way of life, opening a studio space on East Cordova in Vancouver's artistic Railtown District.

"I've recently started my own contemporary womenswear label, ‘Aiki District’, with my design and business partner, [former Blanche Macdonald Fashion Instructor] Maneli Nourbakhsh,” Anahita says. “‘Aiki District’ is a Japanese name meaning ‘all the souls unifying with nature and harmony.’ It is about positive energies and positive attitudes."

Additionally, Anahita has returned to Blanche Macdonald to educate new groups of blossoming fashion designers. Her mentors have now become her collaborators.

"After I started working here [Blanche Macdonald] I felt so connected with all the people in the fashion industry,” she reveals. “I feel so lucky that I work here. I really love the environment and the people. The skills that I have learnt are because of this school. [My instructors] showed me new, easier, better ways. Because of that I've been able to build on the knowledge I had acquired in Iran."

Anahita's commitment to her craft is compelling and self-evident. Reflecting on her success so far, she describes why she’s living and working the career of her dreams. "I love that I'm able to explore ways of self-expression through my designs, creating something new every day and stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s important for me to be continually challenging myself and my abilities. I know that being a Fashion Designer is a part of who I am."

We look forward to following Anahita's career as it progresses and evolves in leaps and bounds. We have such admiration for her, and are so happy the feeling is mutual!  

Take it from Anahita: "I always tell my husband, coming to Blanche Macdonald was the best decision I ever made!"

Join us for an afternoon of fashion at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Wednesday, November 30th, at 3:00pm as we usher in the newest group of talented design minds. Tickets are $30.00 (taxes and service fees included). Purchase yours at Blanche Macdonald's Downtown Robson Campus (460 Robson) or by phone at 604.685.0337. 

**Reception and Portfolio Review 2:30pm | Fashion Show Begins at 3:00pm – we hope to see you there! 

“What drew me to fashion was how it kept moving. Nothing’s iconic any more. It’s always, ‘What’s next? What’s next?’ I like that!”

KT Auleta’s high velocity love affair with fashion continues to take her around the world. The New York City-based photographer and director is in perpetual motion, travelling from country to country shooting with clients like Hugo Boss, Sephora, Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs, and titles including Vogue, GQ Style, Elle and Glamour. But on a layover en route to China she somehow found the time to visit Vancouver, Blanche Macdonald and her close friend, Fashion Director Tyler Udall, to give an engrossing presentation to students at Canada’s top Fashion School.

Over the course of a fascinating hour KT revealed her journey from intern to globetrotting photography superstar, the changing face of fashion imagery (including why she now shoots stills and video simultaneously) and the art of building a great creative team.

“I’m looking for good communicators,” she explained in response to one of many questions from the floor. “I want people to take pride in their work. I want people I can trust to do their job well. I want them to feel empowered. I love working with new models, giving them wings and watching them blossom.”

After fielding questions about professionalism, agents, and the potential for creativity unleashed by Instagram, KT shared her portfolio along with a hefty dose of inspiration. Her most powerful message is that by beginning their journey surrounding themselves with passionate and creative people at Blanche Macdonald, whatever fashion ambitions students are aspiring to, they’ve already taken their first step.

“This School is perfect for discovering your voice,” she insisted. “You’re in the perfect place to start building your portfolio.”

We asked KT eight questions in a quickfire Q&A session on our Snapchat!

Blanche Macdonald: If you could have any superpower what would it be?

KT Auleta: If I had a superpower, I think it would be to be able to jump from place to place. I like travel but I don’t often like the travelling part. 

BMC: What colour do you think your aura is?

KA: I think my aura is the colour of ice blue. I have a spiritual teacher that always says surround yourself with the colour of ice blue and I always liked the way that sounded. 

BMC: How do you feel your photo and film work intersect?

KA: I think my film and photography work intersect in that I like to capture a real true moment of expression from a model. I feel like my photography work is the moment between a movement, and I’ve always seen my photography work as a film still, like the captured moment. 

BMC: Describe your shooting style in three words.

KA: If I had to describe my work in three words it would authentic, expressive and playful. 

BMC: Three traits that are vital to your team on set. 

KA: Three things that I think are really important on set are communication, to empower my team, and to collaborate. 

BMC: Most difficult shooting situation?

KA: One of the most difficult situations for shooting is weather. If the weather is off, it’s bad for everybody: the light, the model, the comfort of the crew.

BMC: Advice you would have given yourself 10 years ago? 

KA: If I had to give myself advice ten years ago, it would be to be myself at all times and stick with my vision of my woman, my character. 

BMC: Advice you would give yourself now?

KA: Advice I would give myself now: keep growing, stay inspired, keep learning… inspiration is key! 

They're the pruners of our strands, the keepers of our secrets and the masterminds behind those picture-perfect balayages. These Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduates are just getting their feet wet in the whirlwind world of Hair, but already, they're making waves in their new careers. Spanning the scene from stylists and barbers to Pro-Educators and entrepreneurs, our grads own their very own hair salons, hold the hottest seats in top salons, and work behind the scenes to create stunning editorials. Armed with the knowledge of our internationally recognized training, and a pair or two of super-sharp shears, these remarkable individuals have heard the entrepreneurial call of the Hair world and they have answered back. With Contessa Awards and other prestigious national and international competitions under their collective belts, our grads are climbing the ranks of local and international scenes one snip at a time. It can be hairy, but they're ready for anything!

Sure to be sporting a mane of many and different colours, razor sharp liner and specs of glitter wandering randomly about her person, Ali Smith is not just the creator of unicorn hair – she exudes an essential ‘unicorn-ness.’ Having graduated from the Pro Hair program at Blanche Macdonald a mere 4 months ago, Ali has found herself behind the chair of one of Vancouver’s premiere chop shops, Artel Salon. Owned by fellow Blanche Macdonald graduate Eliza Trendiak, Ali spends her days honing her skills, learning from fellow Artel stylists and crafting the latest looks for her burgeoning clientele. A flurry of retro Disney prints, witticisms, and perfectly timed meme humour meet the whirling dervish that is Ali Smith.  Or as she puts it “Ariien. Brat. Kitty. Facial hair admirer.”

Blanche Macdonald: What was your favourite part of our Hair program?

Ali Smith: Definitely level 7. The mass photo shoot level was absolutely the best! For me, it came just after Christmas and during a time where I hadn't had a day off from school or work in nearly two months. All of my stress manifested into the most wacky ideas, and being able to build pieces for my models was such a blessing. Having Lisa as an instructor for this level also made it so much fun because she was unbelievably encouraging and understanding of everyone's shoot concepts.

BMC: What is your Hair specialty (cut, colour, ombre, etc)?

AS: I really love doing big colour changes.  Whether it's from dark to light or from natural to something wild, it's just so fun! Seeing a client glowing at the end of their service is so satisfying. Also I've never been the type to turn down a challenge, so colour corrections are weirdly exhilarating for me.

BMC: How did our Career Services and job placements ensure you found the perfect home for your Hair skills?

AS: We have mandatory work experiences and mine were eye opening to say the least. I did one at a salon in Kitsilano with Aaron Brousseau, who is a good friend of mine and another Blanche Macdonald grad, and we did a lot of one-on-one work. My second work experience was in Maple Ridge where I live now and it's one of the busier salons with about 12 stylists. This was much more fast paced environment with less one-on-one teaching. From this I got a better idea on what kind of salon I'd like to work in, where I'd like to be located, what kind of clientele I'd like to build, etc.

BMC: You're in one of those mega Crayola crayon boxes - what colour are you and what are you called?

AS: I have two sides to myself so one would be Malibu Barbie pink, and the other Midnight black.

BMC: What movie title best describes your life?

AS: According to Buzzfeed, Alice in Wonderland is the film equivalent to my life. I wouldn’t say that’s untrue though because like Alice, I’m a total daydreamer and I talk to animals all the time so, that’s cool.

BMC: What hair decade would you go back to if you had a time machine?

AS: Not going to lie, I miss 2006-2010 with all the 'coon tail clip ins, enormous face covering bangs, too much back combing . . . Ahhh, nostalgia!

BMC: Was there any advice you got going into the Hair program from friends or family?

AS: This is awful but I had a few friends who had attended other hair programs and they ended up realizing this wasn't for them, so before I enrolled the big discussion was always "Are you REALLY SURE?" And thankfully I was always able to say, "Yup, I've only wanted to do this since I was 5. I'm pretty sure I'm sure."  

Photos provided by Ali Smith (IG: alismithhair) and Rob Trendiak for Artel Salon.

Canada’s film and TV industry had one of its biggest and busiest years in 2016 and Vancouver, AKA Hollywood North, was at its epicentre. The city played host to superheroes and villains, monsters, romantic leads and sci-fi fighters, along with some of the world’s biggest stars playing them. And none of them were coming for the weather.

There’s a long list of reasons why Vancouver has become the ideal location for some of North America’s most popular and best-regarded productions. Hollywood studios and networks love our architecture, our close-knit TV and film community, and the laid back atmosphere in a city that understands that even movie megastars are here to do their jobs.

They also love that Vancouver is blessed with some of the world’s best TV and Film Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists, a once-select group growing exponentially as demand for their skills continues to boom. Our beautiful city’s Movie Makeup family was beyond busy in 2016, with more than a few Blanche Macdonald graduates and instructors taking starring roles.

As our students all understand, in this industry excellence comes as standard. Which means that only a select elite receives major Award nominations. Huge congratulations are due to the Emmy Award-winning Makeup Team behind the teenage creature feature, R.L. Stine's Monsterville: The Cabinet of Souls: a team that starred Blanche Macdonald alumni Debbie Lelievre (Head Makeup Artist), Holland Miller and Felix Fox (Key Makeup Artists), Julia Bors-Dollinger (First Assistant Makeup Artist) and Sarah Pickersgill (Makeup Artist).

We're sending another big "bravo" further east to Calgary, Alberta, where grad gunther Schetterer worked his magic and was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Non-Prosthetic Makeup as Key Makeup Artist on the superb second season of Fargo. 

The Leo Awards recognize films and TV shows made in beautiful British Columbia. Which, if you check, involves a vast number of productions. That tells you that to actually win a Leo Award in the category of Best Makeup in a Dramatic Series, which the team featuring Amber Trudeau and Cory Roberts did for iZombie, is a remarkable achievement. Amber was particularly busy in 2016, receiving a second Leo nomination for Best Makeup in a Television Movie for On The Farm, an award that was won by the team behind R.L. Stine's Monsterville: The Cabinet of Souls. Leo congratulations also go to Darci Jackson and Lindsay Pilkey, who were rightfully nominated for Best Makeup in a Motion Picture for Numb.

The Gemini Awards are Canada’s Oscars and Emmys combined. The team behind Afghan war film Hyena Road included Blanche grad Doug Morrow and greatly deserved their nomination for Achievement in Makeup.

Arguably the biggest production to hit Vancouver in 2016 was summer sci-fi blockbuster Star Trek Beyond, where Blanche Macdonald grads and instructors boldly went to bring the voyages of the Enterprise to life. Ably manning that crew were Makeup Effects Artists Felix Fox, Holland Miller, Shelagh McIvor, Toby Lindala, and Patricia Murray, Painter Daemon Cadman and Assistant Makeup Artists Rebecca Delchambre, Megan Harkness, Ashley Forshaw, Colleen Conroy, Cory Roberts and Darah Wyant.

Meanwhile, Vancouver’s biggest TV series continued to go from strength to strength. Danielle Fowler was named Head of Department on Supergirl, Tina Teoli and Cory Roberts continued their roles as Heads of Department on The Flash and The 100 respectively, while the Makeup teams on Arrow and Supernatural were positively overflowing with Blanche Macdonald grads and instructors. Oliver Queen’s adventures in archery looked wonderful thanks to Tanya Howard (Department Head), Cayley Giene (Lab Technician and Assistant Makeup Artist), Fay von Schroeder and Amber Trudeau (Makeup Artists), and Kathryn Jarymy (Assistant Makeup Artist). While the Winchester brother’s fight against darkness in 2016 wouldn’t have been the same without the contributions of Toby Lindala and Celine Godeau (Key Makeup Effects), Cayley Giene, Leanne Podavin and Rachel Griffin (Makeup Effects Artists). 

This was just the tip of the creative iceberg. There isn’t room here to list all the Blanche Macdonald graduates and instructors who shared their talent on screen with the world this year. Congratulations to all of them. You’ll be hearing more from them and the next wave of brilliant new grads in 2017!

Photos via IMDB

There’s no substitute for genuine glamour. Which is why, when Blanche Macdonald was seeking a venue to host the 2016 Fashion Design Graduate Show, once we set eyes on the Grand Ballroom at the historic Hotel Vancouver, the decision was easy. The contrast of Imperial Russian style elegance with the bold, ultra-modern debut collections from some of Canada’s most promising new designers was too tempting to resist.

The result was Neon Dreams, the most spectacular – and to many attendees the best – Blanche Macdonald Graduate Fashion Show in the School’s storied history.

“The Hotel Vancouver is such an iconic piece of this city,” explained Fashion Director Tyler Udall. “They’ve done an incredible job preserving the original designs and over the years the hotel has been peppered with bits of luxury. Incredible fashion houses like Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton are now occupying retail space in the hotel. It seemed like a fitting space for our show.”

Under the sparkle of Vancouver’s most magnificent chandeliers Blanche Macdonald’s grads’ collections shone, as two glorious fashion shows unfurled on a chilly November afternoon and evening, the first for graduates’ friends and families; the second for the city’s assembled fashion media. For Tyler, presenting collections that could hold their own in the most extravagant surroundings was a testament to a special group of graduating designers.

“This group had more than a few extremely focused students. There are always a handful who come in and treat Fashion School like a military operation: up at 5am, working until 11pm and really pouring their blood, sweat and tears into their collections. There were several of them this year and it was a treat to see how well they worked and how much they bonded as designers and friends.”

One of those students putting their heart into their work was the Award Winner for Overall Achievement, Kirsten Ley. Her collection had the honour of closing the shows, brilliantly juxtaposing the constriction of leather body casts with the free-spirited escapism of billowing silks.

“I was humbled and honoured that I could carry that weight,” she beamed. “Tyler, Peggy Morrison, Sara Armstrong, Mel Watts – everyone who has been a part of this process has been so encouraging and good to me. I’m blown away that they picked me as an Award Winner.

“One of the ideas that sparked this collection was my own personal experience. I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 13 and was put in a back brace for 22 hours a day. I was an actress, dancer and opera singer and the only time I was out of the back brace was when I would dance or sing. I was out of the back brace when I would perform. The dichotomy of the bound leather garments with the flowing silks is like breaking free of the confines I grew up with. When I first spoke to Tyler about this idea he got it right away. He instantly understood what I was doing. I’d already done a lot of research; then he came back and threw new ideas at me. I absorbed and digested everything he brought to me. I’m forever indebted to Tyler for that. He’s incredible.

“I’m starting my own line as soon as possible. I’m already working on a new collection. I want to show at Vancouver Fashion Week next year!”

Walking away from the Hotel Vancouver with two well-deserved Awards – for Portfolio Presentation and Illustration – was transplanted Brazilian Natalia Pavanelli, whose free-flowing, ghostly shapes incorporated her own illustrations telling stories about her roots and beliefs.

“It’s such an honour to see your creations on the runway, knowing that you’ve achieved something,” she declared with pride. “The team at Blanche do an amazing job putting it all together.

“Before I came to Canada I was working in fashion in Brazil for three years and in France for another year. I didn’t want to become a manager so I wrote some emails to see what else was out there. Blanche Macdonald called and invited me to Vancouver. That was destiny calling. I sold everything I owned to come here and start a new life. The program was exactly what I wanted. There were a lot of tears, both happy and stressful, but the teachers were great and my experience was amazing.

“Now I’m starting a great job as a manufacturer here in Vancouver. I get to actually design and build clothes. I want to start my own brand too. I’m ready to take the next step.”

Also keen to continue the fashion adventure was graduate Julian LeClerc whose journey from the Northern BC town of Fort St John to the heart of Vancouver’s fashion world concluded by being named 2016’s Award-winner for Achievement in Design. His post-apocalyptic-inspired collection incorporated military shapes with repurposed and natural textiles, hand-treated with bleach to create unique prints and textures.

“I was awestruck to see my collection on the runway. I’d seen it on the table and on a mannequin for so long, so to see it moving left me speechless. The show experience was wonderful and I’d love to be part of another one sometime in the near future.

“I didn’t know a whole lot about fashion when I started so I needed a crash course for the first couple of months about what it actually is. It took me a while to get on board because I had so much to learn but once I fell into the groove I loved it. My designs have grown so much since my first meeting with Tyler. My ideas were so raw then. It’s amazing how they’ve transformed over the past five months.”

Transformation is a major component of everything we do at Blanche Macdonald. That extends from our Fashion Design students to our Hair and Makeup departments. Both were on hand to ensure that all the models looked as spectacular as the clothes and the venue.

“A lot of the hair and makeup decisions were made to temper the environment,” revealed Tyler. “We wanted some extremely modern elements to counter the historical and ornate space.”

Neon Dreams’ Hair Team was staffed entirely by current students, ably led by instructor Lisa Callender.

“I hand-picked a team of stars!” she boasted. “I’d worked with them before so I knew they were focussed and could work together. I wanted people with passion and drive. Enthusiasm is what makes me want to have you on my team.

“Tyler gave me some images and instructions of what he wanted to go for. The look was a diagonal side-part and side ponytail, with colour in that part. That’s where Neon Dreams came into play. With quick changes and a tight backstage space, there are always technical challenges but it looked beautiful. We had a dark skinned black model and a pale white model and the look we chose worked amazingly on all the different ethnicities. Being mixed race myself, I was like ‘That’s right! We’re coming together!’”

Two years ago Kelseyanna Fitzgerald was graduating from Blanche Macdonald’s Makeup Program. This year she was Key Makeup Artist at Neon Dreams. Heading a team of nine Makeup Artists (eight Blanche Macdonald graduates and one current student), Kelseyanna brought a stunning modernity to the stately elegance of the Hotel Vancouver runway.

“I was looking for Makeup Artists with good attitudes who are chill and like doing weird Makeups. Tyler collected looks I’d previously done and showed me which ones he liked: the bold and glossy ones. We wanted it weird, so I chose colour combinations for each model that were a little bizarre and bold. We had 20 models, 16 girls and four boys, but I had a big crew so no one needed to rush. It was so cool to see these artists that I admire interpret my look.”

Along with this year’s incredible designers the success of Neon Dreams was a tribute to the hard work of the staff at Blanche Macdonald, with special mention due to the inspirational leadership of President Lily Lim, the endless efforts of Executive Program Directors Peggy Morrison and Donna Baldock, Fashion Director Tyler Udall, Creative Director Kelly Schmidt, and Career Director, Fashion Department Mel Watts. Endless thanks must also go to Instructors Sara Armstrong, Lisa Gellert, Dana Johnson, Lyndi Barrett, Carlie Wong, Wanda Sustersich, and Morgan Mallett, Lab Assistants Kari Appelquist, Joy Nickerson and Anahita Monzavi, Associate Marketing Director Natasha Eng, Social Media and Marketing Coordinators Rheanna Miller, Allie Samborn and Jacky Le, Social Media, Creative Content Coordinators Kendahl Jung and Mohamad Ali Ibrahim, Resource Development Coordinator Liza Knobel, and the team at Brix PR. 

Infinite gratitude too, must be given to the backstage team, led by Tyler Udall, Sara Armstrong and Shelby Schramm along with Tracey Pincott and a team of volunteers from the Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing programs. While Key Makeup Artist Kelseyanna Fitzgerald, Key Hair Stylist Lisa Callender and Nail Parlour graduate Stefania Flex and their volunteer grads and students ensured the models looked as spectacular as the collections. Huge thanks also to our fabulous emcee Jaylene McRae and DJ Hana Pesut (Sincerely Hana) for providing an amazing soundtrack to the night.

The entire team at Blanche Macdonald would also like to extend its sincerest gratitude to our corporate sponsors, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Oribe and Eminence along with huge thanks to our colleagues at CurliQue Beauty for putting our guests’ goody-bags together.

Full List of Award Winners

Overall Achievement: Kirsten Ley 

Overall Achievement Honourable Mention: Isabelle Stewart

Achievement in Pattern Making: Phebe Menard

Achievement in Garment Construction: Josephine Mante

Achievement in Illustration: Natalia Pavanelli 

Portfolio Presentation: Natalia Pavanelli

Achievement in Design: Julian LeClerc

Textile Innovation: Ninon Parent

Sustainable Fashion Award: Gala Peters

With their unique fashion voices, these Blanche Macdonald Global Fashion Marketing graduates are taking the industry by storm. Articulating their story to the world, our grads have navigated their way through fashion's ever-evolving terrain, bridging the gap between knowledge and success: from luxury retail brands and glossy magazine offices, to prestigious PR firms and leading buying agencies. Our grads are 'serging' ahead of the trend, climbing the ranks of local and international scenes, one fashion forward trend at a time. Meet these burgeoning fashion mavens that have become part of this thrilling community in our Fashion Fervour storytelling!

Set your mind to it and it may happen. Do it with heart and it's guaranteed. Blanche Macdonald Global Fashion Marketing graduate Amanda Watt has approached her burgeoning career with this doctrine, hustling (with heart) on her way to become Marketing Coordinator at Vancouver’s coveted luxury retail department store, Holt Renfrew. From setting up large scale events featuring the most buzz-worthy designers and mega-names in the industry, to coordinating intimate fêtes, prepping hundreds of swag bags and sourcing for what's to come next, she's always on her toes, ready to tackle the next big fashion moment. Meet Amanda Watt, gracious, accomplished and fanatical for Fashion.

Blanche Macdonald: What was your favourite part of our Fashion Marketing program?

Amanda Watt: All of it! It was such a truly amazing experience that I will always treasure. I remember being so inspired by [Blanche Macdonald Fashion Program Director and Instructor] Peggy Morrison’s passion that no matter what she was teaching I loved it; her stories and Show and Tell were something that I would have never imagined I would be fortunate enough to be a part of. I truly believe that I would not be where I am today if it was not for Blanche Macdonald and the opportunities and goals it helped me realize.

BMC: How did the Blanche Macdonald Career Department help you in pursuing these goals?

AW: Honestly, if it wasn’t for the guidance of [Blanche Macdonald Career Director] Mel Watts while I was in school, I would never have had the opportunity to intern with Holt Renfrew, and if it wasn’t for that, who knows where I would be today! I truly believe that my internship was the first and most crucial step in starting my career in fashion. I fortunately still get to see Mel from time to time. I really should stop into the campus more than I do, though!

I have been lucky enough to now be heavily involved with the internship program here at Holts. It is an incredible way to get your foot in the door! The Internship Program is something that I hold very close to my heart and I have had the opportunity to meet some extraordinary Blanche students along the way.

BMC: What does a typical work day as a Marketing Coordinator look like for you?

AW: One of the things I love so much about my job is that it’s very hard to answer that question.The majority of my days are planning and organizing! I start off my day with checking emails and voicemails, I then send a daily email to all the staff to give them a snapshot of what is happening that week. From there, I never know where the day may take me! There is always something different happening. From setting up for large scale events to coordinating small intimate ones, preparing hundreds of swag bags to sourcing for events, there is never a dull moment!

BMC: Can you share a memorable event that you worked on?

AW: One of the most memorable events for me to-date was working on the Charlotte Tilbury Personal Appearance and Beauty Counter Launch. It was such a huge deal to be bringing her to Vancouver and it was an event that we worked on for months! The day of her actual appearance was so fun, we had British Guards, models all decked out in her signature makeup looks wearing beautiful silk robes, and paparazzi! She (not surprisingly!) drew out a huge crowd and it’s always exciting to be able to connect the public with designers and creators of this calibre.

BMC: Can you tell us a little about the incredible designers you've met during your time at Holts?

AW: I’ve been so fortunate to meet several designers, all of which were so unique in their own ways.  

Marcelo Burlon was a huge highlight for me! He did a personal appearance in the store and then we had an after party at the LUMAS Gallery in Gastown. At one point he took over the DJ booth and didn’t stop until the party ended!

I also met the Smythe designers, who were both so gracious and kind. My most star-struck moment, however, was when we had a book signing for internationally-renowned Model, Coco Rocha. I had to help her get to the bathroom before she went out on stage and she was just so elegant and so beautiful that for the first time in my Holts career I was really in this dreamlike moment.

BMC: If you were given 20 minutes every day to shop, which department would you sneak away to?

AW: That is such a hard question! I would say Shoes. I love them all. Seriously. I’m also frequently in the cosmetics department. I have a cosmetics background and worked in cosmetic retail for a long time before I came to Blanche to start the fashion chapter of my career. You’ll often find me downstairs trying out the newest eyeshadow pallette from Tom Ford, or checking out the latest Creed scent – there’s always so much innovation and excitement in cosmetics, not to mention technology that would blow your mind. Right now I’m anxiously awaiting all the summer collections because I love anything shimmery, and the best highlighters come in with the summer product!

BMC: How would you describe your personal style?

AW: It is constantly evolving. I feel like my style has really started to mature and reflect the point that I am at in my career and my life. I will always gravitate towards colour and pattern though, that hasn’t changed at all! Oh, and my love for costume jewellery is deeply rooted.

BMC: If you were reincarnated into any designer, who would it be and why?

AW: Gabrielle Chanel. She was such a pioneer for women and I don’t feel that she is credited enough for that. She pushed the boundaries of fashion and beauty and it is one of the things I’ve always really admired the most about her. She was way ahead of her time designing for the modern empowered woman.

BMC: What fashion decade would you go back to if you had a time machine?

AW: I’ve always wished I could live through the 1920’s to the 1980’s at 28 years old so I could experience it all, but if I had to choose, I would go back to the early 1950’s. I LOVE the feminine silhouette of The New Look by Dior. I also love the idea of dressing up to go everywhere. Everyone was so glamorous no matter if you were off to a gala or to the grocery store.

BMC: What advice would you have for someone who is just graduating?

AW: The question that I’m asked the most from other students and new graduates is how did I do it? And my answer is always the same: I worked really hard. My advice to anyone getting into the fashion industry is that it is small and your reputation is very important. Find a company that you are interested in and get in at any position that you can, then work your butt off. Opportunities and doors will open from there, but only if you work for it. Also find a mentor, someone you have to look up to and learn from is really beneficial. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities that I have been presented with. But with that being said, it was not without hard work and sacrifice. If you set your mind and heart to it, you will achieve it!

Walking into Onyx Aesthetics Studio is like walking into a world where every day is a good nail day. It’s a place where beauty is continuously unfolding; a place to be primped and pampered in total tranquility. In just two short years Onyx owner and Blanche Macdonald graduate Linda Trang Ly has cultivated the perfect space to showcase her inimitable esthetics skills: an IG-worthy salon with a killer team of estheticians and an impressive roster of clients. 

Although Onyx has already achieved great success in its short life, the studio was a long time in the making. After completing the Nail Parlour program at Canada’s Top Nail School, Linda spent nearly a decade doing nails in Ontario and Connecticut, until Vancouver’s nail scene was finally established enough for Linda to bring her skills back home.

“When I was trying to get into the industry after school, everyone here wanted French manicures on sport length nails. I knew that if I stuck around I would change careers again, so I moved to Toronto. Because of that, I’ve been perfecting my skills and doing crazy long nails with art for the last 10 years! And this was even before all the gel polishes came out. I always knew I would come back home, but I needed it to be the right time for what I wanted to do. Once I saw on Instagram how things were evolving in Vancouver, I knew it was time to come back.”

But having been out of the Vancouver scene for nearly 10 years, Linda had to quickly suss out what the new Vancouver had to offer to find the perfect place for the esthetics paradise she was planning to create. When her initial searches of Kitsilano and Kerrisdale proved unsuccessful, it was in a relatively unexpected neighborhood, on the suggestion of a friend, that Linda happened upon the ideal space for her studio – Gastown.

“The Gastown I knew was The Old Spaghetti Factory, The Purple Onion and some souvenir shops. But suddenly, Gastown wasn’t just Water St. anymore! I saw this space and the shape of it and I knew that it was exactly what I had been searching for!”

Finding the space was job number one. Job number two was turning it into the studio of Linda’s dreams. Enlisting the help of a friend, Linda set to work creating the beautiful, coordinated and oh-so-Instagram-friendly interior that exists now. Pristine white tables, glistening cabinets, accent cushions and wall upon wall of nail colours and products nestle underneath a glittering chandelier and below a perfectly puzzled-together gallery of quotes.

“My best friend and I designed most of it together. We picked out all the accents and framed and foiled all the quotes. I don’t have a favorite though! I’m just one of those people who loves to read and funny or positive quotes are my favorite so, why not?”

With a space that exhibits such a personal touch, it’s no wonder the patrons and passersby of Gastown came flocking in to see the new esthetics digs in their neighborhood. And it’s precisely these clients that make each day a wonder for Linda and her team. 

“We have really, really nice clients. They’re my favourite part of each day! I’ve had clients walk out the door and yell ‘That was great!’ which is so funny because it’s like I pay them to do that. But I don’t! I envisioned these amazing clients who come here because they want to and that’s exactly what it’s become. They brighten our day and they enjoy the music, their service and the team of incredible women I’ve got working with me.”

If rave client reviews are anything to go by, it’s clear that Linda knows a thing or two about building the best possible team and delivering the utmost in pampering services. But what does it take to make it onto such a special close-knit team?

“Personality! I obviously look for skills too, but those can always be worked on. It’s such a close space in here, so it’s important that all the girls on my team and I really get along. There are a few of us that have been doing this for quite a while and we still teach each other new things or a more efficient way to do a service, so it’s so important we all work together!”

With a myriad of services on offer and high expectations from customers, teamwork is essential. Luckily for Linda, she loves performing the variety of services on her clients as much as they love getting them!

“When I started at Blanche Macdonald, I was taking Makeup. Then I took the Nail Program and  I realized that the makeup and skincare came in so handy. So I learned how to do it all! If I stuck with nails all day, I think I would get bored, but the fact that I can switch it up with brows and lashes makes everyday different and fun!”

Linda’s training at Canada’s #1 Makeup and Esthetics school is the foundation that she needed to get to where she is today. But what brought her to Blanche Macdonald in the first place?

“I wanted to try out Makeup, but I wanted to do it the right way. I knew Blanche Macdonald was the biggest school for that. I judge everything on quality, not brand name or anything else. So I wanted the school that was going to give me what I needed, but was also the best option. And for me, that was Blanche Macdonald. Then when I knew I wanted to take nails, I didn’t need to shop for schools again. The Makeup Program was so good and thorough; I knew their Nail course would be as well. And it was! Everything I needed, everything I wanted to learn, was there.”

And it wasn’t only her training that she got from Blanche Macdonald. She also picked up a little something else that would prove very valuable years down the road.

“We were doing our theory on our first day and there was a word at the beginning of the book in Greek that means nails. The word was ‘onyx.’ And I just knew that one day, I would own a salon and that I would call it Onyx.”

Though Linda decided on her salon’s name on that first day of theory, the entrepreneurial spirit had taken root in her soul years before. 

“My parents owned restaurants when I was young. Growing up around that, you see the benefits and the sacrifices. I like being able to have things in a certain way, which isn’t always an option when you work for other people. Having my own studio, I know that every single day I want to be here. This is where I should be.”

Linda’s independent business sense and countless skills have scored her a must-visit studio in Vancouver and a solid reputation in the Esthetics world. But it is her connection with her clients that has brought her one of her greatest accolades: Onyx Aesthetics Studio is one of only 14 CND Ambassadors in Canada. And yes, it’s as impressive as it sounds.

“I had a regular client in Mississauga who would tell me about CND and Revlon and how I could get involved. I just thought she was being a super nice, thankful client! But once I was back in Vancouver, she introduced me to the CND reps and they loved my space and what I had envisioned for my clientele. They flew me to Toronto to teach me about everything CND and each year I go back for regional training. Now I fly to different venues, salons and tradeshows to teach classes about CND products, do manicures using the products and explore any issues they may be having. It’s all about education. It’s perfect for me and Onyx because CND gives me access to products and knowledge that I wouldn’t be able to get otherwise.”

With a successful studio, a flourishing career, and an impressive standing in the Canadian Esthetics scene, is it possible Linda has any more aspirations for the immediate future?

She grins, “I’m thinking of possibly a second location. And actually the wall of quotes has gotten me a lot of requests to make people other ones – but I don’t want anything to interfere with this shop right now. Though a little more space would be nice!”

With thousands of artists, stylists and designers soaring into our halls from around the world each year, our classrooms have become dynamic global communities under the unitedly diverse banner of our Blanche World – a United Nations of creativity! In a glorious culture clash, our International students import a vibrant collection of new customs, insights and inspiration that colour our world in exciting new ways. The leap from their home countries to our corner of Canada comes with big change, courage and incredible journeys. Speaking in the international language of passion, we sit down with our global talent to talk the dreams that brought them here, the challenges they overcame, and all about the power of being an artistic representative in a new country. Meet the burgeoning stars that have joined us from around the globe in our UN storytelling!

Hailing from Taipei, Blanche Macdonald Global Makeup Co-op graduate Daisy Hsiang has the start of a stellar resume. Having her work published in Italian Vogue and Marie Claire Taiwan, and being represented by an overseas agency, Daisy is already living what, for most makeup artists, is a dream career. But these achievements aren’t the only cooler than cool things about this girl. Fostering her burgeoning career in Makeup from Industrial Management beginnings, Daisy had long ago made the decision to march to the beat of her own drum. Enveloping me in a hug and a squeal, you’d hardly expect the hustle that’s housed inside this doll of a person. Dressed in chic street wear that’s perfectly styled to her aesthetic, Daisy’s vibes are all about cool, collected confidence. With bright eyes, a big smile and in the sweetest, most humble way, Daisy talks about the international makeup scene, her journey so far, and gives advice for those looking to make it big in the global makeup industry.

Blanche Macdonald: What were your experiences growing up in Taiwan that made you want to go into makeup?

Daisy Hsiang: I love art. I actually started to study Industrial Management in university in Taiwan, which is when I started playing with makeup for the first time - so late!  I wanted to know more about beauty makeup so I took a basic photography and professional makeup class while I was in university. My makeup class made me so happy and that’s how I decided that was what I needed to do with my life! The best thing is that my parents always support me when I want to learn something different.

BMC: What made you make the long journey to the Blanche Macdonald Centre?

DH: It’s the best makeup school in Canada, right?! It’s very famous all over especially in Asia. Everyone I talk to goes "Oh, I know that school!" I wanted to learn from the best so I came here! I visited Blanche Macdonald for the first time with my family and my Admissions Director Josephine Lee, I was so excited to be involved in this industry in Canada.

BMC: With such a change in location, what was the main thing you needed to adjust to?

DH: The culture. It’s very different. English was hard to learn too. The food, everything is different. Though the sushi here is very good!

BMC: But you’re enjoying Vancouver?

DH: I love Vancouver, especially in the summer. The beach, hiking, museums, the night market is so fun and all the food! It’s a very beautiful place. I want to live here in Vancouver for a while. My agent in Taiwan always wants me to come back but I like it here and I'm so busy!

BMC: Did you have a project that you were most proud of over your time here?

DH: My airbrushing project. Natacha [Trottier] was my teacher and it was so hard but it was really fun.

BMC: And what about a favourite module from the course?

DH: Fashion definitely! Jon [Hennessey] was my instructor for fashion and he's the best instructor I’ve ever had. He’s just so good. When we were in class and I was struggling, he sat down and said, "Daisy, you can do great makeup and I can see it and you can explain it and that’s how you can practice your English."

BMC: Jon has an incredibly caring way about him. And the ladies in the Career Department, were they able to help you reach some professional goals while you were in school?

DH: Definitely. Heather and Jen always support the students and do everything they can to help them find the jobs they want. And there are so many places they can connect you with where your volunteer work can be used in your portfolio for other jobs you want. They also know some amazing artists around Vancouver. I volunteered a lot in school and it was so good for me to meet other people, work on my portfolio and be inspired.

BMC: Those connections are so valuable for someone starting out in this industry! How did your education at Blanche Macdonald prepare you for your professional life?

DH: I learned everything from school, from basic beauty to Special Effects. Nothing is routine when you work and school really prepared me for that. Even when I got tired, I knew I had to keep going and keep pushing and I did because of the teachers and the instruction at Blanche Macdonald. Not too long ago, I taught a class in Taiwan that was just simple beauty makeup. Because I was so used to working in fast-paced classes at school, I was able to cover everything from skin to lips and the final look in just two hours.

BMC: Since graduating, you’ve done so much but specifically, you’ve been interviewed by Marie Claire Taiwan and done a shoot for Vogue Italy – those are some pretty amazing accomplishments! How did you manage to land those jobs?

DH: One of the project managers of Marie Claire Taiwan worked with my agent in the past and that’s how I made the first connection. She was interested in me as a graduate from a recognized international Makeup school, so the interview came from that!  My agency in Shanghai is a new agency and I am the first artist that they represent. The shoot for Vogue Italy was good but so hard! Vogue wants things that are perfect and it can be stressful but also a lot of fun.

BMC: So you’ve hit some major milestones, what are your next goals/plans for your career?

DH: I’m starting Fashion Design at Blanche Macdonald next March and I’m really excited for that. And I'd love to do all the makeup for the Fashion week shows. I’m also learning how to DJ right now. I want to do something different with makeup and clothes and music. I’d like to produce something different with it all and that's a dream for me too. I want to completely design and direct my own shoot one day. That’s my big dream and I want to work with Jon someday but not now, I’m not good enough yet!

BMC: You’ve got some incredibly cool goals and it’s so great that you see makeup as always being in the picture. What is it about doing makeup that you love?

DH: After I do a client’s makeup, when people look at themselves and say, "I look so different and beautiful" it makes me feel so happy and proud of my work. Though I do get people who are confused when I tell them what I do, even my dad when I first started thought I would be home later that week, but it's my dream so I do it!

BMC: Can you tell me a little about the difference in makeup trends in Vancouver and Taiwan?

DH: Makeup in Taiwan is very different from here. There they like the no makeup look; it's very Korean and Japanese. It’s very hot and wet in Taiwan so one thing my clients are always asking is how to set their makeup and keep it on longer, which is also why they prefer light makeup. My Taiwan makeup kit always has skin care products, waterproof products, loose powder and natural products. Canadian makeup puts a lot of focus on shapes like brows, liner and contours. So in my kit to do makeup in Vancouver, I’ve got hydrating oil, lots of varying foundation colours and multicoloured lip colours, eye colours and shimmer. Here it doesn't matter what you wear for makeup. It’s a very free and different style.

BMC: And what do you think is the most important thing that new or up-and-coming Makeup Artists who are looking to be represented and work on print campaigns should do?

DH: First I would tell them to follow your passion and stay true to yourself. But the most important thing is practice, practice, practice – that’s the only thing that will improve your skill. Build up your followers and people on social media Instagram and Facebook, too. I always message photographers saying ‘I love your work, can we work together?’ I just keep it simple.

They're the pruners of our strands, the keepers of our secrets and the masterminds behind those picture-perfect balayages. These Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduates are just getting their feet wet in the whirlwind world of Hair, but already, they're making waves in their new careers. Spanning the scene from stylists and barbers to Pro-Educators and entrepreneurs, our grads own their very own hair salons, hold the hottest seats in top salons, and work behind the scenes to create stunning editorials. Armed with the knowledge of our internationally recognized training, and a pair or two of super-sharp shears, these remarkable individuals have heard the entrepreneurial call of the Hair world and they have answered back. With Contessa Awards and other prestigious national and international competitions under their collective belts, our grads are climbing the ranks of local and international scenes one snip at a time. It can be hairy, but they're ready for anything!

If you can’t tell by her huge, lit up smile, Stefanie Middleton LOVES to do hair. Whether she’s turning those dry strands into a luscious moisturized mane or helping you take your fringe to the next level with a funky chop, she’s your girl. But a fresh look isn’t the only thing that Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair grad Stefanie promises. The self-proclaimed “happy hair stylist” looks to keep your strands looking extra silky, but first and foremost to build each client’s confidence higher with each visit to her welcoming chair. Tell us you don’t want in on that deal! Coupled with her tenacity, Stefanie’s desire to create exactly what her clients imagine has naturally placed her on the floor of Xziste Studio, whose mantra is exactly that – respect the utmost importance of the customer’s needs. Daring enough to rock the latest trends on her own hair, Stefanie is at the ready to get your best hair on – and your best self!

Blanche Macdonald: What was your favorite part of our Hair program?

Stefanie Middleton: My favorite part of the program was our photo shoots. They were a lot of fun most of the time, but also extremely challenging. You need to keep your focus (which the instructors always helped us with) and then slowly watch your visions come to life. The toughest challenges are always the most valuable! The whole program taught me a lot about myself, especially how to trust my gut and to work under pressure - which is needed in this industry!

BMC: What is your specialty?

SM: COLOUR! Haha, I know I still have many things to learn about it, but color has been the biggest part of hair that my clients and myself love. I especially do well with the more creative punky colors. There's just something about seeing people rocking wild colors in a classy way that I love to create. The best is seeing the happiness from your clients with the work you do. It is literally the most satisfying feeling in the world.

BMC: How did our Career Services and job placements help you find work?

SM: The school provided us with a booklet of salons, the owner’s info and areas where each salon was located. It was helpful for all us to find work experience near us and at salons that would teach us new things in a professional setting. It did land me work experience in two amazing salons. If you're willing to put the work in it and do your part, the school will back you up 100%.

BMC: How do you feel about the baby bang trend?

SM: Oh I love them! I actually just cut some edgy baby bangs on myself. If you can pull something off, then work it!

BMC: What is one thing you find most difficult about doing hair? Why?

SM: Honestly, the hardest part for me personally isn't doing hair itself, but trying to help educate our clients about the timing a service might take and helping them understand that not everything can happen all at once. You never know what you are walking into, especially with new clients. Color corrections can take hours depending on what the client desires. You cannot always promise to get them to where they want to be right away. I was always told to under promise and over deliver - that's what I always aim to do!

BMC: If you could throw a parade, what would it celebrate?

SM: This is actually something I have never thought about before. Perhaps pizza? Everyone likes pizza, right? I could have people with pizza costumes while handing out free slices? Mm, this actually sounds great!

BMC: Best thing about the 90's?

SM: The hip hop back then! That was the real deal. Back when Missy, Aaliyah, DMX, Tupac, Biggie and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony were all still around and slaying!

BMC: What's your favorite candy?

SM: Sour dinosaurs! The red and green ones are the best!

BMC: Which Sex and the City character do you think you are? Why?

SM: Hmm, that's got to be a toss up between Samantha and Carrie. Samantha because she is always real with herself and her relationships, she never sugarcoats, which is how I usually handle things. Carrie is also a character I relate to moreso because she is really a passionate person. When she is feeling something, she goes after it. She is a strong independent woman living in the city just trying to make it somewhere - just like me!