DESIGNING FOR FASHION

Her 30+ years in the industry has covered everything from couture to mass production and retail floors to corporate boardrooms, allowing Donna to get involved with many facets of the industry.

17 of those years was spent with Sears Canada Inc. headquarters developing product for men’s and kids Private Labels as both a Technical Designer and Product Manager. As Product Manager, Donna was able to travel all over the US and Europe, for sample as well as market shopping, seeing firsthand what was going on in the world of fashion. She also travelled to Hong Kong, Shanghai and China to negotiate prices with suppliers.

In 1990 Donna began a career in teaching part time and in 2004 was awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award. During this time she realized that sharing her experiences and knowledge with students was what she enjoyed doing the most.

She joined the Toronto Film School (Academy of Design) in 2011 as Coordinator and instructor where she is today.

Keith first studied architecture and environmental design at the Ontario College of Art (OCAD). Realizing the similarities of Environmental and Fashion design – both involve turning two-dimensional materials into three-dimensional items – fashion became more prominent in Keith’s career.

Keith studied at the prestigious Galasso School of Design in Toronto, learning couture techniques of patternmaking. After graduating, Keith went on to George Brown College, where he studied industrial methods of garment design and manufacturing.

Keith spent 10 years working in Miami, for numerous sportswear companies, and after returning to Toronto, began to teach at the Academy of Design. Keith has won numerous awards for his work in fashion, he continues to design and has published a textbook “Introduction to Stretch” a patternmaking manual for knits and stretch fabrics.

Christopher Paunil is a graduate of the Fashion Design and Techniques program at George Brown College, where he excelled in his studies and first realized that he wanted to specialize in women’s wear upon graduation. His entry into the fashion world began with his first job as a costume designer specializing in dance costumes. With 7 years of industry experience under his belt, he took a leap of faith and designed his first bridal collection in 2009.

In 2010, with a growing list of bridal clients, Christopher moved into the prestigious Toronto Fashion Incubator as a resident designer. Since then he has received the “Vote Couture for the Cure” award from the White Cashmere Collection for his exquisite bathroom tissue creation in 2011, and has created another gown for the collection in 2013. Also that same year, Christopher was a finalist in The Toronto Fashion Incubator’s “New Labels Competition”, in which he placed in the top 4 best emerging designers from across Canada. This lead to his newly-launched women’s ready-to-wear collection being carried by TNT (The New Trend) and several other Toronto and GTA boutiques. In 2014, Christopher was once again named as one of top 4 best emerging designers from across Canada in the TFI’s “New Labels Competition”. Also in 2014, his bridal collection was picked up by Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay, made famous by TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress”. His bridal and ready-to-wear collections continue to gain momentum as he expands his list of retailers.

Diego Fuchs, one half of the design duo behind HELDER DIEGO, graduated from the International Academy of Design in 2005.  After several years working alongside Toronto based designer Nada Shepherd of NADA, Diego, along with HelderAguiar, decided to start the contemporary women’s brand HELDER DIEGO.

In 2010, HELDER DIEGO was launched with much acclaim. The brand focuses on building wardrobe foundations that can be enhanced from season to season with its Sleek, Sexy and Sophisticated signature aesthetic. After being finalists in both TFI New Labels as well as Mercedes Benz Start-Up competitions, the duo went on to become staples at Toronto Fashion Week working with the esteemed production company THE COLLECTIONS.  The brand has continued to grow in retailers across Canada as well as launching its own e-commerce site for Spring 2016.