As a designer, who would you say your inspirations are?

I find people in general inspiring. I can see a photo of a model and get inspired to create something.

Describe something that excites you within the fashion industry

Fashion designers like myself, who are self-taught are having more of a chance to be involved and be invited to fashion shows.

What are some moments that weren't funny at the time, but now you can look back and laugh?

I went to Vancouver for fashion school, lasted 5 months in the program.  Had to leave due to the high cost of living in Vancouver and tuition costs. Tried to get sponsorship from the school, with no luck.  Now, ten years later I am a professional designer with no formal education. 

As a designer, who would you say your inspirations are?

People in general.  I can see a photo of a model and get inspired to create. 

What are some places being a designer has brought you, you’d never thought you end up at or in?

Western Canada Fashion Week in Edmonton.  I won third place in the emerging designer category.

 Tell me about your (career) background

I’ve been a safety officer, massage therapist, photographer, artist. But I have known that I wanted to be a designer. I am living my dream. Everything else was just stepping stones to get me to where I’m at.

What would you say your greatest strengths and weaknesses are?

Not having the formal education is both. My strength is that when I am designing, I am not going through the (planning) steps they teach you. With that said, I have more creative time, I call it ‘flow’ designing.  I can look at the fabric and get inspired. Weakness:  I get asked about the technical terms they teach you in the program, and can not answer.

Who is your favorite designer?

Alexander Mcqueen.  Because he was a very intuitive designer.   Draping (which is what I do.)  I liked the ways he uses texture and materials in non-traditional ways in his design.