Meet our alumni

Courtney Chow - Fashion Design & Merchandising

Original program: Fashion Marketing & Merchandising

Alumni Information
School: LaSalle College Vancouver/Dubrulle Culinary Arts
Grad Year: 2011
Program of Study: Fashion Marketing & Merchandising
Degree: Diploma

Employment/Professional Information
Company Name: Club Monaco
Location: Vancouver
Job Title: Store Experience Manager
Primary Responsibilities: I am responsible for the appearance, layout and flow of the store to make sure our customers and clientele have a great experience. I manage a team every month to execute flips. I also educate our stylists on our product and inspire them with the Club Monaco culture. Describe a typical work day Everyday is different at Club Monaco. I will look at reports to see how well we are selling the merchandise and as a result I will change how the store layout is, so that we can further our sales. Changing mannequins on the daily because items sell quickly on them. Creating visual presentations to display merchandise in an intriguing way. Ensuring the store is always kept neat with good standards. Sometimes going to other locations and working with other visual managers and working in a team to implement a good store appearance.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?

I am proud of doing what I’m most passionate about and getting an education in it. Learning at a school that specified in fashion was something I am so happy I went towards. I am also proud of getting a job at Club Monaco during school and working part-time. Then after graduating, working full-time and working my way up the ladder to Store Experience Manager. I started at the bottom and worked my way to the top. It took a lot of hard work, but it sure has paid off.

What are your creative inspirations or influences? Who are your heroes?

To be honest anything can inspire me, but what inspires me the most are the people I surround myself with. I found so many great people at LaSalle College Vancouver that I still talk too, and just being around them and talking about fashion truly inspires me. I am influenced by so many things; people, places and even social media. It has become something so big lately. I have so many heroes that I look up too, especially a lot of big name designers like Chanel, Marchesa and Elie Saab.

What do you enjoy the most about your career?

I enjoy being surrounded by fashion everyday! Being apart of a company I get to learn about how they work, what items are their top sellers and who their clientele are. I love being able to create an experience for customers and it’s rewarding when someone will come in and compliment how great the store looks.

How did your education at LaSalle College Vancouver help prepare you for your career?

I learned about visual merchandising during school and that helped me with how to merchandise apparel. During some courses at school I had to create mood/inspiration boards and that is actually something I do at work. Every month a new collection comes out and I create these boards to educate the stylists, so it can help them sell to customers. I even educate them on the fabrication of some items we sell in the store.

What advice do you have for people beginning their careers in your profession?

Work hard and commit to it. School is the easy part even if you think it isn’t right now. Looking back I think it was so easy and I wish it never ended. However if you worked hard in school and loved every minute of it you’ll make it in the industry. Got to have a hard shell and be able to take advice and criticism because it’s something that will happen in this industry. Just make sure you surround yourself with people who support you and be passionate about what you do and believe in.

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?

I can be connected with different designer, bloggers and photographers. I love using them because of this. I have connected with so many people and I think it’s just something that will get bigger and bigger in a few years. Now we can stream fashion shows that are happening in Paris or London. This helps with knowing in mere minutes what trends are out there.