Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Lasalle College Fashion Student

While not all fashion design students are alike, most dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Not so for Cecile Cho who was asked to create her first commercial garment while working in Hong Kong as a graphic designer. The experience was exhilarating and she returned to Canada to pursue this new direction.

Cho was born and raised in East Vancouver with a large extended family. Until her early teens she attended school with nine cousins. "No one would bully or pick on us…It was a lot of fun." Passionate about art she had private lessons from a young age, so it was no surprise when she decided to study Graphic Design at Capilano College followed by studies in Web Design at VCC. Her first internship was at the Vancouver Aquarium sketching the wildlife, working on billboards and posters and attending functions such as the "Sea Otter Birthday Party" and "New Comer Welcome".

Looking for a change of climate, Cho decided to take a position in Hong Kong working for a property management company as part of their in-house design department. Four years later she was asked by her employer to design a new uniform for their concierge staff. With no sewing or designing experience it was a difficult challenge to come up with a concept that would look professional and smart. "I showed it to my boss…he changed a few bits and pieces…and they created a prototype…I was so excited to see them wear it…I wanted to know more." Vancouver offered a greater variety of opportunities to study and after careful consideration she decided on LaSalle College. Her lack of sewing experience made that first semester very frustrating. She struggled to learn how to operate an industrial sewing machine and had to acquire basic sewing skills, but with her instructor's support these challenges were conquered. Natural talent and a strong arts background then helped her develop as one of the top students in this year's class.

Looking for inspiration for her eight-piece grad collection, Cho tossed around the idea of cocoons or butterflies, eventually deciding the collection would follow a transition from cocoon to butterfly. Her initial three pieces are sewn in iridescent silk Shantung Ombre using volume and different shapes to explore the concept of a cocoon. First is a floor length A-line halter dress with one sleeve and a large cowl neck that can function both as a hood or a shoulder drape. Diagonal slashes of color fall across the fabric in cool tones of brown and taupe. The cut of the second garment is similar but in navy and taupe with small straps. An organza sash lies softly around the shoulders ending with fabric roses in the back. The third design is more transitional. In silver and a warmer shade of blue, the mid-length poncho includes a cowl neck, a variable length hem and is paired with blue capris. Five garments are yet to be finished including the final "Butterfly" piece. It will be interesting to see how this collection evolves on the runway.

Cho will be very busy after graduation planning her July wedding followed by a move to Hong Kong where she hopes to begin her new profession. For information on attending the LaSalle Grad Show on May 3rd, please contact the school at 604-683-2006 or visit the website at www.lasallecollegevancouver.com.