In keeping with our polytechnic mandate, the Wilson School of Design's Fashion & Technology program is focused on providing enriched learning opportunities and relevant industry experiences, offered in a supportive and challenging learning environment. This ensures our graduates are positioned for success in their careers. Establishing itself as leader in fashion education, the program is constantly evolving in alignment with industry through a rigorous academic course of study.
Many of our graduates work across the globe in the fashion industry, but with over 300 apparel companies in the lower mainland, the local BC fashion industry offers our students and grads many choices. Many global industry leaders are based locally, with vibrant companies such as Arc'teryx, Aritzia, lululemon athletica, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Orb, Sugoi, and Westcomb, who often hire our graduates.
Program Advisory Committee
Our Advisory Committee plays an essential role in maintaining the relevance of our degree program. Apparel industry leaders provide the perspective needed to ensure our graduates are well prepared to contribute to this creative, technical and innovative industry. In conjunction with faculty, administration, and students, the role of the Advisory Committee is to help enrich the Fashion & Technology program. With an ongoing voice given to our local industry leaders through our Advisory Committee, our program is able to respond quickly to changes in the marketplace and continually adapt our programming to reflect current industry needs and standards. This philosophy also applies to the technology and resources we train our students to use. We have an outstanding reputation for providing state-of-the-art industry equipment, so that when students from our program graduate, they are skilled in using the most current technology, making them work-ready. This work-readiness brings our grads to the front of the line when applying for industry positions.
Industry Support
We are so fortunate to have so many industry partners who collaborate with the Wilson School of Design each year by hosting student internships, developing industry projects, and hiring our graduates. We are truly grateful for their time, commitment to learning, and ongoing dedication to new fashion design talent. The following are only a few of the many we work with;
Allison Wonderland
Arc’teryx Equipment Inc.
Aritzia
Barbara Duggan
Black Press
Blushing Designs
Bootlegger
Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd.
Catapult Agencies
Carol Prantner and David Hollands
Charles Chan Kent
Chris Waller
Chloё Angus Design
Christine Vancouver
Christopher Pike Photography
Closet Crows
Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Devonshire Properties
Diane’s Lingerie
Digital Darlings Creative
Donald Reagh
Dutil
Eco Fashion Week
Enda B Men & Women
Emma Norris
Envision Financial
Ethical Profiling
Fabricana Imports
Family Business Distributions
Fairchild TV
Glacier Media
Gordon’s Fabrics
Gravity Pope
Hailey Gerrits Designs
Helen Pearce
Helly Hansen
Hills of Kerrisdale
Holt Renfrew
Indochino
International Fashions
Ivan Sayers
ivivva
Janice Larsen
Jeff Norris
Jennifer Rainnie Marketing
John Fluevog Boots & Shoes Ltd.
Julie Hobart
Karma Athletics Ltd.
Kendor Fabrics
Kensie
Kemp Edwards
Kit and Ace
Kwantlen Student Association
Laura Tanner
Lifetime Collective
Lija
Little White House
LK Collections
lululemon athletica
lululemon lab
Make Good Agency
Make It Vancouver
Mara Moldonado
Manuel Mendoza
Momentum Magazine
Modern Home Tour
Moule
Mountain Equipment Co-op
Mustang Survival Corp.
Nicole Bridger
Nicole Picco
Nocturnal Workshop
Oak and Fort Corp.
Oddball Workshop
Osei Duro
Painted Pink Productions Inc.
Peekaboo Beans
Pfaff Sewing Centre of Vancouver
Play on Trading/Orb
Plenty
Plum Clothing
Portobello West Market
Pure Magnolia
Quantum Apparel Group Inc.
Raymond Heung
RCG Group
Rewind Consignment
Richmond Centre
Robyn Ross
Rogers Broadcasting Limited
Ron Marchuk
St. Geneve
S Lee
Simon Chang and Phyllis Levine
Snugabell Mom & Baby Gear Ltd.
Social Concierge
Sodexo
Steven Schelling
Strike MVMNT
Sugoi Performance Apparel
Suki’s Salon •Spa • Academy
Tamoda Apparel Inc.
Teeny Weeny Bikini Co.
Télio Fabrics
THII
TJX Canada
Truvelle
Urban Spaces
Vancouver Foundation
Vancouver Magazine
Vertical Design Group
Viktoria Langton
Westcomb
Western Living Magazine
White House
Wing Sang Gallery
Y.P. Heung Foundation
Career Options
Our Fashion & Technology program gives students the design skills, business acumen and marketing savvy they need to succeed in the fashion industry at home or abroad.
Our graduates work for such renowned Lower Mainland companies as Arc’teryx, Aritzia, Kit and Ace, lululemon, Kensie, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Mustang Survival, Aritzia, and Plenty. Others have found success around the world working for global companies like Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nordstrom, Volcom, and Chloe.
Your Fashion & Technology degree will give you the skills to:
- Become a fashion entrepreneur and start your own line. (Our graduates have launched such lines as Allison Wonderland, Friday, Fortiv, Revol Cares, Fyoocher, Noctex, Osei-Duro, Jolie Couture and Taylor Hart Design).
- Become a freelance designer.
- Work in the design, marketing or production department for world-renowned apparel companies.
- Work in smaller design houses in a role that encompasses all aspects of the business.
- Advance your career to become a fashion industry leader.
- Begin a career as a high school textiles teacher. Graduates may be eligible for entry into UBC’s Bachelor of Education program in Home Economics.