Meet our fashion design students!
Meet our Fashion Design Students who are showcasing their work in the 2017 Saskatchewan Fashion Week runway show. Learn a little about them and why they joined TSA! Interested in learning about Fashion Design? Click below to learn more about our program.
Shantal Allan
Current Day to Day commitments: Helping my parents at the farm and being a student.
Future designer label to look out for: To be Determined
What kind of experience did you have in sewing prior to your enrolment?
-I took my very first sewing class at Cindy-rella’s sewing and quilting in Regina Sask.
-My Instructor, Deanna Tanner who owns Prima Deanna Boutique hired me afterwards where I helped her sew costumes for New Dance Horizon
-I also had the privilege of helping Deanna create patterns for Kazz Clothing.
-In 2015 Deanna showed her first Corset collection in SFW where I helped with hand sewing and adding grommets.
What inspired you to take the Fashion Design programs? Fashion is my passion; ever sense I gradated from high school 8 years ago I have been working on getting a career in the fashion industry. I have had the opportunity to travel to buyer conventions in Las Vegas where I was able to meet designers from around the world. I was inspired to take this class because I believe it will help me later in life when buying clothes. Quality is very important to me. I hope one day to be a buyer for a larger company.
What were your expectations of the program? I knew Janis going into the class, so I knew the teacher would be amazing. For anyone interested in looking to sew I would recommend the “beginner to sewing class” with Janis.
Were your expectation met or exceeded? I would say my expectations were met.
What surprised you the most? I’ve been involved with SFW since it started 5 years ago, I wouldn’t say I was surprised by anything. I knew going into this that making a pattern, cutting and sewing is all about time management. Janis was great at letting us order nicer fabric through her ‘company”.
What is your favourite memory of the program? My favourite memory would be seeing my work come together from start to finish.
How do you see yourself using your new skills? With my new skills my goal is to have my very own collection in SFW next year.
How are you feeling leading up to SFW? In the past 6 years I have gone from being a dresser back stage, modeling in the show to know presenting my own pieces. I feel amazing!!
Lise Toupin
Current Day to Day commitments: Creativity enthusiast, Mama of three littles, Married to an immensely talented and innovative carpenter
Future designer label to look out for: Don‘t know yet, but it’s coming!! (follow me on Instagram @lisemtoupin)
What kind of experience did you have in sewing prior to your enrollment? I learned to sew from my mom when I was a teen. She taught me how important it is to be precised for a tailored look. Now that I’m designing my own patterns and sewing my own looks, those lessons from her are invaluable. Thanks Mom!
What inspired you to take the Fashion Design programs? I wanted to take my sewing to the next level. Get my ideas out, design my own patterns and create my own looks.
What were your expectations of the program? I already have learned so much. Janis is a great instructed; she keeps the learning materials fun and interesting. Can’t wait to learn more...
What surprised you the most? I found it difficult to find time to work on my looks with all my prior commitments. Spent many late nights in my sewing studio...
What is your favourite memory of the program? I enjoyed sewing 4 hours straight once week, talking and sharing ideas with some vary talented and inspiring women.
How do you see yourself using your new skills? I have always dreamed of having a "mini" line. My favourite is outerwear; wools, leathers and heavy knits. I would love to create a children’s line that has a classic, simple and modern approach.
How are you feeling leading up to SFW? Excited, nervous... let’s do this!
Aimee Schulhauser
Current Day to Day commitments: I own three businesses: Evolution Catering and Fine Foods, Tangerine: the food bar, and Schoolhaus Culinary Arts. When I‘m not working, I’m travelling the continent with my partner, Dean, attending rock concerts, and eating at fancy restaurants.
Future designer label to look out for: hahahaha
What kind of experience did you have in sewing prior to your enrolment? I‘ve been sewing off and on (mostly off) since I was 10, when I made a dress with my grandma. As the years went on, I noticed that most of my projects went unfinished as I didn’t have the skills to do the finer details properly.
What inspired you to take the Fashion Design programs? Store-bought clothes are very frustrating for me because they often don’t fit well. This course offered me a chance to not only make my own clothes but to have a creative outlet with like-minded people.
What were your expectations of the program? I thought I would be able to put in a zipper and finish a hem - and that was fine with me.
Were your expectation met or exceeded? Definitely exceeded! I didn’t realize the level of problem-solving and creative thinking that sewing and pattern-drafting involved. It has also made me appreciate the fashion industry even more.
What surprised you the most? The amount of math involved!
What is your favourite memory of the program? Constantly being astonished at what one can do with a just a basic sewing machine.
How do you see yourself using your new skills? Dressing myself better and making clothes for my nieces.
How are you feeling leading up to SFW? Very excited and a little terrified.
Siobhan Loos
Current Day to Day commitments: Vice Principal at The Style Academy, have been Married for 25 years and have one son who is an engineering student, I love to create jewelry and now clothes.
Future designer label to look out for: Bhan Design
What kind of experience did you have in sewing prior to your enrollment? Basic sewing skills
What inspired you to take the Fashion Design programs? To learn new skills and just to get better, I love to sew, I just was not that good at it, and how to put in a zipper.
What were your expectations of the program? To learn proper skills in zippers, pockets and finishing.
Were your expectation met or exceeded? I learnt all that I want and so much more. Pattern making, professional finishing and to be apart of Saskatchewan Fashion Week.
What surprised you the most? To be part of Saskatchewan Fashion Week was a wonderful surprise to be apart of. Seeing fabric samples in person would have been nice, but Janis did a great job at selecting what we needed.
What is your favourite memory of the program? Meeting some fabulous talented people, sharing ideas, the creating and seeing the final looks. The celebration of all the hard work.
How do you see yourself using your new skills? I will certainly be using all my new skills, I can adjust, create what I want, and that is jus the beginning.
How are you feeling leading up to SFW? Very excited to share what myself and fellow students have created, but nervous, “will they like it”
Thank you for offering this class!
Haley Hirchert
Current Day to Day commitments: I‘m a full time server at Perkins restaurant and I’m currently living at home with family well me and my boyfriend look at getting our first house together.
Future designer label to look out for: I’m still unsure about a design label but I am currently working my own blog called: The Creative Dressing Room.
What kind of experience did you have in sewing prior to your enrolment? I had absolutely no sewing experience, I’ve always wanted to learn but never knew where to start.
What inspired you to take the Fashion Design programs? It’s always been my dream to be a fashion designer and to be able to express myself through fashion. As soon as I heard the Style Academy was offering these courses I knew it was the perfect opportunity to go after my dream.
What were your expectations of the program? I definitely did not expect to learn as much as I did in a short amount of time. I expected to learn basic sewing skills, and sewing machine settings/stitches. Overall just a beginners class to sewing and looking back I still can’t believe how much I learnt from each course!
Were your expectation met or exceeded? My expectations were completely blow out of the water! I loved every minute of this class and can’t believe have much I learnt. Janis is extremely helpful and I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone who wants to learn how to sew!
What surprised you the most? How much it costs for all the materials and supplies needed to create one look and how much time is put into every piece you make. It is truly amazing how much goes into one outfit.
What is your favourite memory of the program? It‘s hard to pick one! It’s been awesome getting to know one and other and share a common interest and goal. I will always remember the day we found out we were going to put a collection together for Sask Fashion Week, I couldn‘t contain my excitement! I still can’t believe it’s happening!
How do you see yourself using your new skills? One day I will make my dream a reality and have my own clothing line! Until than I will continue to grow, practice, and build my brand with all the knowledge and skills I learnt from this class!
How are you feeling leading up to SFW? It‘s a mix between excitement and anxiety! I’m so excited that this is really happening but at the same time I‘m extremely anxious because this is really happening! I can’t wait to see everyone’s designs!
Jaclyn Muchowski
Current Day to Day commitments: Always being available for whatever my children need me for and after them I’m a chronic online shopper, lover of reading & sewing!
What kind of experience did you have in sewing prior to your enrolment? I had taken the learn to sew class last summer. Before that the last time I sewed was high school home economics.
What inspired you to take the Fashion Design programs? I really wanted to know how to create fun one of a kind pieces that nobody else would have
Were your expectation met or exceeded? This class exceeded all my expectations, I learnt so much every week that I was here and I’m grateful for that!!
What surprised you the most? Patterns. They were far more tricky that I though they would be, I dislike them and may not use them but at least I have the knowledge now if I wanted to.
What is your favourite memory of the program? All the great people I met in it and all the laughs we had! They are a talented group of people I will miss seeing every week!
How do you see yourself using your new skills? Creating my daughter and I fancy, frilly feathery one of a kind pieces.
How are you feeling leading up to SFW? Nervous but ready!
Cydney Frank
Current Day to Day commitments: I am the Marketing & Communications Manager at The Style Academy. I am a wife, a pet mom & a creative soul.
What kind of experience did you have in sewing prior to your enrolment? Prior to taking these classes I had created a few clothing items. I had never had formal training or read any books.
What inspired you to take the Fashion Design programs? I have always been interested in fashion and had even considered taking Fashion Design after high school. I really joined the class to expand my skills and learn more. I wanted to be able to alter clothing to fit better or fix things that are broken.
Were your expectation met or exceeded? My expectations were far exceeded! I cannot believe in such a short period of time what we have been able to accomplish.
What surprised you the most? How many things I didn’t know!
What is your favourite memory of the program? I loved have a group of creative minds around every week. I enjoyed bouncing ideas off each other.
How do you see yourself using your new skills? I am not sure yet! I would love to explore creating more clothing and building my skills. I would love to create more pieces for my own wardrobe.
How are you feeling leading up to SFW? Excited, nervous & proud of all my fellow students and the work they have produced!
