The hottest trend in Montreal last week was Kwantlen fashion design and technology student Earl Mabaquiao

For immediate release

February 15, 2011

The hottest trend in Montreal last week was Kwantlen fashion design and technology student Earl Mabaquiao

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) On Thursday, February 10, third year Kwantlen Polytechnic University student Earl Mabaquiao's passion for fashion awarded him "Canada's Breakthrough Designer" during Montreal Fashion Week.

The 2011 TÉLIO Design Competition brought together fashion design schools from across Canada and challenged aspiring designers to compete for one of five scholarships totalling $10,000. For the last five years Quebec-based textile company TÉLIO has been a proud supporter of the growth and development of Canadian designers and their annual design competition is always a significant event in the fashion industry.

This year design students were asked to create a garment based on the theme "Great Canadian North" and the win went to the student who most successfully applied the theme to a Fall/Winter garment designed for the sophisticated, avant-garde woman. The aspiring designers were asked to design a unique and authentic creation that would identify their garment as the new "must have" item for a high-end retail company while using intricate techniques to incorporate art in fashion. Mabaquiao's design demonstrated outstanding creativity, the best technical skills and respect of the theme.

"I'm very proud to represent Vancouver and show the rest of Canada what we are all about," comments Mabaquiao. "Fashion design must always be innovative and balance creativity, technical skills and overall understanding of the fashion business. I see a bright future in Canadian fashion."

Mabaquiao and fellow Kwantlen students Laura Nickel and Kristin Yip were among the 25 finalists who competed for the title of "Canada's Breakthrough Designer".

The only program of its kind in Western Canada, Kwantlen's Bachelor of Design, Fashion and Technology program prepares students for careers in the global apparel economy in fashion design, production, marketing, and computer technology. This dynamic program features comprehensive industry-based education and training using leading-edge technology and extensive internships that result in employment. For more information about the fashion program, visit kwantlen.ca/design

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,000 students annually have a choice from over 135 programs including bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.

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For more information about this story and/or Kwantlen, contact:
Joanne Saunders
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2243
joanne.saunders@kwantlen.ca