Do you know the name of the first reptile to develop feathers for flight?
It’s the Archaeopteryx Lithographica, and local performance wear and equipment outlet Arc’teryx is named after this unique species widely considered the first known bird. But Arc’teryx is certainly no dinosaur, as the KPU design alumni who work there will attest.
Alumni Karen Keane, Janice Kwan and Nancy Fedoruk share this month’s Alumni Highlight feature:
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Name: Karen Keane Kwantlen Program: BA of Fashion design and technology Grad Year: 2005 Employed as: Development team manager Employer website: arcteryx.com |
Name: Janice Kwan Kwantlen Program: BA of Fashion design and technology Grad Year: 2015 Employed as: Product developer Employer website: arcteryx.com |
Name: Nancy Fedoruk Kwantlen Program: Fashion Design Grad Year: 2011 Employed as: Design developer Employer website: arcteryx.com |
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What are your primary responsibilities at your job: I manage a development team of patternmakers, sample makers and product developers for our Whiteline (snowsports) and Endorphin (running and training) product lines. My team makes all our concepts and prototypes in house, and then sends them to our factories. We do cost estimating and negotiations as well. Ensuring design intent is executed through to bulk production is at the core of all we do. What is your favourite part of your work? The teamwork. It’s really rewarding to get through a project and the daily problem solving involved and to reach a common goal. That’s very satisfying! How do you like to unwind/handle stress? I bike, walk, read or go camping. Getting outdoors and away from the computer screen!! Who is the most famous person you've ever met? John Cleese. I served him breakfast once. What are you most proud of? I would have to say it’s our product. I love that we are focused on quality, innovation and longevity. We are not just cranking out styles, we make really beautiful, thoughtfully executed pieces that will last for years. Greatest advice for life? It’s the simple things that make life worth living. Enjoy them! What's currently on your iPod? I love my CBC; Q, DNTO, Radio 2 and Espace Musique |
What are your primary responsibilities at your job: To work closely with the team to ensure that the designer’s vision is translated into a sample, then into production. I also maintain a close relationship with our vendors and am in constant communication with them to ensure that they understand our vision. Who is the most famous person you've ever met? Steven Tyler from Aerosmith – I was on a work trip in LA and he came over and had drinks with us. If you had a time machine and could have lunch with anyone living or dead, who would it be? Anna Wintour. Where does your inspiration come from? My friends and family. Greatest advice for life? Be kind to others. Favourite Kwantlen moment? Probably the fashion show. You spend the entire year working on this project and it’s a good feeling to see the final end product. What's the last book you read? Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. |
What are your primary responsibilities at your job: I assist designers in developing unique solutions through patterning and prototyping to meet Arc’teryx customer needs. How do you like to unwind/handle stress? I like to ride my bike or run to work, which keeps me relaxed. Who is the most famous person you've ever met? I went to David Suzuki’s Blue Dot tour this past November and there were amazing and talented people there, from David Suzuki himself to Robert Bateman and Margaret Atwood. If you had a time machine and could have lunch with anyone living or dead, who would it be? I would have lunch with my grandparents as they were wonderful people and they will forever inspire me. Where does your inspiration come from? I find everything that surrounds me inspiring from my family to nature. Where do you see yourself in one, five or 10 years? I hope to continuously be learning and creating over the years. Greatest advice for life? Keep moving forward and be adaptable. Favourite Kwantlen moment? My first day as a fashion student, as I was so happy to be pursuing something I loved. Also, taking the bus home in the snow with a friend from a fabric store with a big bolt of wool fabric for our coat project. It makes me smile to think all our hard work was worth it. |
