Meet our alumni
Christel Hayne - Fashion Design
Original program: Fashion Design
Alumni Information
School: LaSalle College Vancouver
Grad Year: 2012
Program of Study: Fashion Design
Degree: Diploma
Employment/Professional Information
Company Name: OBAKKI
Location: Vancouver
Job Title: Production Assistant
Primary Responsibilities: Oversee Production, Costing, and Manufacturing required to create a collection Describe a typical work day There hasn’t really been a typical workday thus far. Sure I follow up with emails and clients everyday, but I always have a different task to carry out and it is always a learning experience.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
It’s rewarding to have finished two years of non-stop, strenuous school, but I am most proud of the overall hard work I put in. I had no idea I had it in me to be a straight A student, but it definitely helped that this is what I love to do.
What are your creative inspirations or influences? Who are your heroes?
My creative inspiration is the world around me and the experiences I have in it. I could say my hero’s were Coco Chanel, Valentino, and Alexander McQueen but mine isn’t a designer, he’s my husband. He pushed me to live out my dream and supported me the whole way.
What do you enjoy the most about your career?
I enjoy coming to work everyday and having the opportunity to learn from other creative minds. It’s great working in an environment where I am not limited and am challenged everyday.
How did your education at LaSalle College Vancouver help prepare you for your career?
It seems obvious, but it was the really great LaSalle COllege Vancouver instructors and advisors that prepared me for a career in fashion. When they would talk about the industry nothing was ever candy coated. They told it like it was; a lot of work, sometimes stressful, yet very rewarding.
What advice do you have for people beginning their careers in your profession?
My advice for anyone starting a career in fashion is to find a way to get your foot in the door and don’t stop until you do. When I started looking for work in the industry I still had two semesters to go. I figured I’d get an early lead so I didn’t have to compete with my classmates. It wasn’t until three months after grad that I finally landed the job I wanted.
Your profession is constantly evolving, from the technology you use to new career opportunities that didn’t exist five years ago. What trends do you see on the horizon that will affect how you do your job or your profession at-large?
Technology is always a steady trend in any industry. In production it could mean more efficient and quicker ways of manufacturing garments while sacrificing quality for time. This is why we have seen fast fashion thrive in the previous years. However, in my opinion we are getting close to a time where consumers will demand quality goods again. It will be vital to recognize when this change begins to happen.
