Faculty

Faculty in the Fashion Design program are dedicated professionals who are have achieved success and recognition in their field.

PAULA SHNEER Program Chair

Paula was a partner in a very successful women’s wholesale sales agency for over 25 years. In the fashion industry, she brings extensive experience in merchandising, retailing and wholesale. Paula worked with a number of manufacturers, importers and designers, merchandising their lines. Her input included choosing the fabrics, colours and styling direction for many well known branded lines. She worked closely with retailers developing private label programs across Canada and in the U.S. From importers in Vancouver to manufacturers in Montreal her agency consistently generated the top sales.

Paula began her career in education as the Chair of the Fashion Marketing & Merchandising program at the Academy of Design in 1997 while remaining a partner in the agency. Six years later Paula sold her share and embarked on her career in education fulltime while retaining close ties to the fashion industry. In 2005 Paula opened Mix Consulting working with new fashion entrepreneurs to help develop their marketing, merchandising and sales strategies. Paula worked closely with The Toronto Fashion Incubator conducting sales clinics, seminars, workshops and webcasts for many years. She was a keynote speaker for the Educational Program for CSCEx 2006, a member of the Business Advisory Board for the Yukon Territory and a BDC consultant.

In 2009 Paula acquired additional responsibilities as Chair of the Fashion Design program and the Campus Principal role. In 2012 Chair of the Graphic Design and Interactive Media program was added to her portfolio. Paula was on the executive of Fashion Group International Toronto, stepping down in January 2013 while remaining a member. A graduate of York University, Paula will be pursuing her Masters degree in the fall of 2013.
 

KEITH RICHARDSON

Keith first studied architecture and environmental design at the Ontario College of Art (OCAD). Realizing the similarities of Environmental and Fashion design - both involve turning two-dimensional materials into three-dimensional items – fashion became more prominent in Keith’s career. Keith studied at the prestigious Galasso School of Design in Toronto, learning couture techniques of patternmaking. After graduating, Keith went on to George Brown College, where he studied industrial methods of garment design and manufacturing. Keith spent 10 years working in Miami, for numerous sportswear companies, and after returning to Toronto, began to teach at the Academy of Design. Keith has won numerous awards for his work in fashion, he continues to design and has published a textbook “Introduction to Stretch” a patternmaking manual for knits and stretch fabrics.

JENNIFER DARES*

Jennifer Dares is one of Canada’s recognized contemporary designers currently reshaping the fashion landscape. Graduating from Sheridan College’s fashion program with coveted honours and awards, Jennifer gained her knowledge and expertise over the course of a long and fruitful career stretching for over 20 years. Jennifer has pattern drafted for a major clothing manufacturer; managed and recruited for a major department store; excelled as a sales associate and assistant buyer for the Emporio Armani boutique; established her own collection; and, is a trend forecaster and fashion consultant services for major retailers and manufacturers. Jennifer established her LAYER label in 2002. Over the course of 6 seasons, LAYER made a profound impact on the Toronto fashion circuit. With dazzling off-site shows, cutting-edge styling and standing-room only crowds, Jennifer quickly established herself as the darling of the media. LAYER had been the focus of numerous television broadcasts, published in every major Canadian magazine and newspaper, as well as internationally. Jennifer was also selected from over 600 international entries, to present in two of five categories featured on the runway at Gen Art’s new designer’s presentation in New York City. In recent years, Jennifer has firmly established herself as a respected consultant on trends and design. Initially for the HBC Fashion Office in 2006, and then independently, Jennifer provides direction on themes, colour, fabric, print, pattern, styling, details, and silhouettes for a number of major players in the industry, including Sears, Walmart, Forzani Group and PYA Importer.

ANNA Di LORENZO*

Anna Di Lorenzo is a former Academy of Design alumnus and has been an instructor at the Academy of Design for 9 years. After graduating from school, Anna worked in fashion show production for many years with many local and international designers. Anna also worked as a personal assistant to Loucas, a Toronto based designer for several years. Her second career is as a make-up artist on television commercials.

CARRIE HAYES*

Carrie Hayes is an honours graduate of Academy of Design’s fashion design program. Carrie has 9 years of apparel industry experience working in the areas of design, product development and quality assurance. For the past 4 years Carrie has received praise for her self-titled women’s wear collection. Carrie’s collection won the Lulu B. Fashion Award by the Toronto Fashion Incubator, where Carrie was a former resident. Her work has been featured in Flare, Elle Canada, FASHION, Clin D’Oeil, Inside Fashion Television and National Post. Carrie also co-directs the FDG, a designer- driven organization notable for spearheading the Get Dressed boutique at Toronto Fashion Week.

SUSAN ANDERSON*

A graduate of the Institute of Design in Caracas, Susan has done freelance work in textile design, worked as an assistant art director and as an editorial photographer’s assistant on location in Venezuela. She has worked in the industry as a carpet designer catering to a market niche in ‘one of a kind’ pieces as well as commercial applications. Her work has been published on covers of national trade magazines and has won an award in “Focus I Design” at the One of a Kind Canadian Craft Show.

PAT KLINE*

Pat Kline began her career as the Director of the Communication Arts program at Seneca College and taught in the English division. Pat left Seneca to co-found Finishing Touches, a high-end fashion store known for its impeccable taste, customer service and commitment to fashion. For many years, Pat, and her partner, designed and produced two private lines for retail in Finishing Touches. These lines developed a very loyal following and received substantial editorial coverage. In 2000, the City of Toronto’s Fashion Excellence Committee voted Finishing Touches as ‘Best Independent Retailer’. Pat always remained connected to the academic environment: she has served on the Advisory Committee at Humber College, has spoken to many fashion classes and as a mentor to students. Finishing Touches was also cited for its involvement with both charities and high schools. Pat founded the North Yonge Business Association (forerunner of the current BIA) and has been instrumental in turning the area into a vital retail community. Pat received an Honours B.A. from McMaster University, and spent a graduate year at Queens.

JAMES FOWLER*

At age four James cut up a wedding dress trying to make clothes for his Barbie doll. James passion did not end there and attended V.C.C.-Fine Arts- for textile manipulation, and Ryerson Polytechnic for Fashion. After graduation came a 10-year stint as a noted fashion designer. James then worked for 12 years as Chair of Fashion at the Academy of Design and then as the Director of the School of Fashion at AOD. After working in fashion education, James then started his own line: TEXTI’LL in the past 5 years. Shows include: SKIN: in the Cooler at MADE, The One of a Kind (Toronto), Originals (Ottawa), The Cabbagetown Festival, The Queen West Art Crawl, Pieceworks (Gladstone Hotel), Radiant Darkness I (Toronto), Radiant Darkness I (Cambridge) as well as several private commissions, including work for the Government of Ontario.

ROBERT OGILVIE*

Originally from Montreal, Rob headed west and spent several years in Calgary before returning to Toronto. He has distinguished himself in the industry in buying, sales management, marketing, and training roles with several major retailers before beginning his teaching career. Robert had developed and taught courses for both private sector and public post-secondary institutions specializing in the marketing and computer area until becoming full-time faculty at the Academy of Design in 2001.Rob was honoured to receive the Faculty Excellence Award from the Academy in 2000 for ‘outstanding long-term consistency in achieving high-quality work in the classroom, administratively, and with co-workers. Robert was one of four faculty members selected by students and colleagues to represent the Toronto Campus of the Academy as Educator of the Year in 2004 and again in 2007. Rob holds a Diploma in Social Science (Psychology) from John Abbott College (1976), Montreal, and a Diploma in Business Administration (Human Resources) from Mount Royal College (1981), Calgary. A lifelong learner, he continued to attend courses and seminars completing a Teaching Effectiveness Certificate at Humber College (2000) and his B. Ed. (Adult Education) from Brock University (2003) and holds his M.Ed from Brock University (2009).

DOLORES HORCASITAS*

Dolores Horcasitas holds a B.A. in Architecture but ever since she was a young girl she also had a love of fashion, clothing and textiles. Coming to Toronto, Dolores went on to study Fashion Design at the Academy of Design and before graduating in 1992, she had started working for a clothing manufacturer as a designer and pattern drafter. From 1995 to 2002, she started Dress for Two, a maternity wear company. Dress for Two was distributed across Canada, U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Afterwards, she started freelancing as a designer and pattern drafter and she has done work for companies such as Lida Baday, Shelly Oh, Peachtree Originals, Rococo, Zen Couture, Guats, Elegant Expectations and many more. Currently she is a part-time instructor at the Academy of Design and teaches Pattern Drafting II, Pattern Drafting III, Grading, and Workroom Techniques besides designing the Azure collection. Dolores started Collection Azure, her second business venture in 2007 with a partner, a clothing line catering to sophisticated professional women.

ROBERT KENNEDY*

For 25 Years, Robert Kennedy has dedicated his career in fashion, to custom tailoring, pattern drafting and draping. Recently, working alongside such designers as Justina McCaffrey, Greta Constantine and Joeffer Caoc has given Robert the meticulous ability to create and fuse many techniques in order to continue the hands on expertise necessary to progress in the fashion industry.

FARELY CHATTO*

Farley attended Fashion at Ryerson University. During school, he began his own successful line, “Farley Chatto”, and was chosen as one of the top ten young Canadian designers to watch. He was subsequently given the opportunity to live and work in New York, Paris, Milan and Chicago, collaborating with numerous international top designers. Upon returning to Canada, Farley reined his Haute Couture skills through an extensive private clientele that has now grown to span the globe. As his reputation expands, Farley’s unique talents and expertise are also being sought out in broader circles; from furniture companies to magazine publishers to cutting-edge choreographers such as Tedd Robinson and Edouard Lock. He has provided costuming for productions at Paramount Studios, Warner Bros Studios and Mirvish Productions in Toronto. Celebrity clients have included Simone Denny, Duran Duran, Natalie Imbruglia and Elton John. Farley has been labeled in the fashion media as one of the top eight designers in Canada. David Clemmer, a Toronto celebrity stylist, recently referred to Farley in an interview with the Toronto Star quoting “everyone needs a Farley.”

SUZANNE POLLACK*

Suzanne Pollock has 23 years of expertise as a retail executive. Suzanne had begun her career as a salesperson. With hard work and dedication, she rose rapidly in the business. Before becoming a consultant, Ms. Pollock was the Director of Planning and Purchasing at Sporting Life Inc., leading their business into a period of financial and profitable growth. During her tenure, she became a recognized and respected leader in the Toronto fashion industry. Suzanne is now an independent consultant, guiding growing companies through the organizational and growth process. Suzanne holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude with an AA from the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

MARTYN LEE*

Martyn Lee was introduced to display and communication arts while working at a heritage museum in his southern Ontario hometown. Having an artistic and aesthetic sensibility, his interest began to grow. A career of being creative, educating others, and persuade or evoke emotion in a 3-dimensional way appealed to him. After studying fine art in post secondary school, Martyn went on to graduate from a Visual Merchandising Arts program. This was the launching point into an exciting 19-year career. As a Visual Presentation Specialist, he took every opportunity to move through his field gaining exposure, experience and education. Martyn is proud to have worked at two of Toronto’s leading department stores flagship locations. Martyn’s appreciation for visual appeal goes beyond fashion merchandising

*Sessional Contracted Faculty