i. I work as a(n:
The old saying: ‘If you find your passion, you will never have to work a day in your life.’ I don’t work, but I do play at running the factory, pattern making, grading, overseeing production, assisting our private label customers with development and production. To top that off is creating our new men’s line ‘Stede.’

ii. I do this creative work because:
I absolutely love love it!

iii. Personal qualities that help me in my work are:
Creativity, imagination, perceptive, and years of experience.

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iv. The greatest challenges around doing this work are:
Finding great fabrics and buttons.

v. Creative childhood hobbies:
Sewing and knitting. I was 11 yrs old when I first sat behind a sewing machine and I discovered my first passion of playing with fabrics to see what can be created.

vi. Other creators who inspire you:
All people who create out of passion.

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vii. Training that has helped me in this career:
Tailoring and alterations, Ryerson University, Lectra CAD systems for patterns, grading and markers, many years working with fabrics, creating patterns, bespoke and then pattern making in a couple large factories.

viii. A common trap that can hurt people in this career:
I feel there are no traps but there are obstacles to work around that need an extra amount of patience, stamina and perseverance, more so than other fields. Most people do not realize the amount of work, knowledge and skill it takes to create clothing. From fabrics, fit, construction and trims, blending all these to create a perfect garment is the challenge that will test even the most creative person.

ix. Some proud career moments:
Awards from Ryerson and AMA for design and construction. The moment one of my instructors asked if he could use some of my designs for his personal use. Expanding and moving our pattern service business out of the house ( after 20+years while we raised our kids) into a factory setting to include product development, and then into a full production setting where I am blending my tailoring and mass production backgrounds to produce garments for private label. With both kids grown and factory up and running, I finally get back to my first passion of creating with fabrics, so here we are with ‘Stede.’

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x. If you want to work in my field, I suggest that you:
Attend a reputable Fashion School.

xi. A professional goal I have for the future:
To expand our Stede line to include jackets, coats, pants, shorts and underwear and ultimately our own store(s).

xii. If you want to see my work, go to:
First Pick YVR March 16-17, Heritage Hall. Sunday Small Goods – 4335 Dunbar Street Feb 1-March 31.

IG: stedemenswear
FB: StedeMenswear
Stede Website

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www.creatorsvancouver.com