George Brown College's School of Fashion and Jewellery celebrated another successful FashionWorks event on April 3, 2025, bringing together graduating students and industry professionals for a dynamic evening of networking and inspiration at the Casa Loma campus.
The annual industry networking event saw over 180 attendees from across the fashion spectrum, including representatives from research-focused companies, Canadian designers, domestic manufacturers, and a heritage brand with over 150 years of history in the business.
Industry connections create pathways to success
FashionWorks provided soon-to-be graduates with invaluable opportunities to connect directly with potential employers, receive professional feedback and begin building their professional networks.
"These events are absolutely critical for our students' transition from education to industry," said Rosa Fracassa, Associate Dean of the School of Fashion and Jewellery / Fashion Exchange. "By fostering strong industry partnerships and maintaining relationships with our alumni, we create pathways that allow our graduates to showcase their talents and connect with meaningful opportunities."
"The fashion industry thrives on connections, and FashionWorks highlights our commitment to ensuring our students graduate not just with skills but with a professional network to support their career journey."
Inspirational industry voices
The evening featured inspirational presentations from four distinguished speakers: Sebrina Bender of Sephora, Luis Matute from Porter Airlines and current Fashion and Jewellery alumni chapter co-chair, Christal Duncan of Brave Soles, and Asif Nasim, co-founder of Mentoree and principal of Nasim Management.
Faculty members were present throughout the event, guiding students through the networking process and offering advice on making meaningful professional connections.
Showcasing student creativity
The student-run boutiques, Uptown and Downtown, were open during the event and showcased the Fashion Management student capstone projects, enabling students to discuss their capstones and share their expertise.
A highlight of the evening was when graduating students presented a mini-fashion show, offering industry professionals a glimpse of their skills, creativity, and readiness to enter the workforce. The showcase was a sneak preview of the upcoming year-end graduate shows and demonstrated the diverse talents cultivated through George Brown College's fashion programs.
The event was supported by multiple departments across George Brown College, including Alumni Relations, startGBC, and Research & Innovation, highlighting the collaborative approach taken to support student success.
FashionWorks continues to serve as a crucial bridge between education and industry, connecting new talent with established professionals and creating opportunities that benefit both students and the dynamic fashion industry.
