hat began as a part of Canada College's home economics program when the school was founded in 1968, is now its fashion design department where more than 200 students are training to become custom dressmakers, fashion illustrators, fashion buyers and sales people.
Successful graduates of the program will be among 50 Bay Area designers who will display their creations at the ninth annual "Artistry in Fashion" professional designers sale on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Activities Center at the Woodside college.
Customers will find clothing and accessories for women, men and children, and buy directly from the person who made the item and is proud of its creation, says Ronda Chaney, who has coordinated the fashion design department since 1978.
Handmade sweaters, handwoven clothing, vintage cocktail and evening wear, bridesmaid dresses, coats made from kimono and obi, accessories, jewelry and handbags, will be among the many items for sale.
"This is different than what you see off the rack," says Ms. Chaney. "You won't find any little business suits here. Our customers are tired of looking the same. They keep coming back year after year."
The 50 juried designers in the sale have been selected from more than 100 applicants.
Canada's fashion design students range in age from 18 to 40 and "are a nice mix of cultures," says Ms. Chaney. Classes in pattern making, fashion draping, principals of business, illustration, and how to be an entrepreneur prepare them for jobs in the fashion industry.
San Francisco is the third largest fashion site in the United States, right after New York City and Los Angeles, says Ms. Chaney. "We have great internships for on-the-job training."
While three-fourths of the fashion students are women, men have been very successful in the program, she says. "One of our male students was just hired as a costume maker for the Washington (D.C.) opera company," says Ms. Chaney.
At the "Artistry in Fashion" sale, a $5 donation will be collected at the door to be used for scholarships and equipment. "This helps us keep ahead of the new technology," says Ms. Chaney.
Food and refreshments will be available and parking is free. Canada College is located at 4200 Farm Hill Boulevard, Farm Hill and Interstate 280, in Woodside. For more information, call Ronda Chaney at 306-3370.
