Posted on March 13, 2021

²ÝÁñ¶ÌÊÓƵFashion shines in the community

²ÝÁñ¶ÌÊÓƵFashion student sewing masks

The world of fashion has many faces. Top designers can produce works of art worth millions of dollars. Fast fashion gives us cute styles for less, but can take a toll on workers and the environment. Yet clothes are essential – we all need something to wear!

At ²ÝÁñ¶ÌÊÓƵ (VCC), we take a people-centered approach to the fashion industry, emphasizing ethics and sustainability alongside creativity and innovation. Did you know that, as a standard part of ²ÝÁñ¶ÌÊÓƵfashion programs, students work on charitable projects in the community?

For the past three years, ²ÝÁñ¶ÌÊÓƵFashion has operated a holiday sewing factory. We have made tote bags to welcome temporary modular housing residents, adult bibs and wheelchair bags for seniors in care, and COVID-19 masks for homeless youth. These projects are student-led; they do everything from pattern development to sewing to textile surface design.

²ÝÁñ¶ÌÊÓƵFashion also supports the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre by producing a fashion show as part of their annual Herstory in Focus fundraiser. Staff and students from both VCC’s design and merchandising programs host styling workshops and runway walk classes, and help with choreography and backstage management.

In the fashion design and production program, our fashion cycle 5 class creates business attire made completely from donated fabric that, in turn, is given to charities such as Dress for Success, YWCA Career Zone, and the Harvest Project.

Fashion is about beauty, and at VCC, we do our best to foster the beautiful side of our industry by giving back and producing grads that will continue making positive change.


Come learn about trend movement and adoption, and participate in creating a trend word cloud at our next Fashion Cycles webinar. SIGN UP NOW >

Get your questions about VCC’s fashion programs answered during online open office hours with program coordinator Sarah Murray. LEARN MORE >