Announcing New Fellows at The Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute
August 5, 2020 – Toronto, ON – The Suzanne RogersFashion Institute (external link) (SRFI) in the Faculty of Communication and Design at Ryerson University is pleased to announce the fourth group of Fellows entering the program. Current Fashion Design student Sara He, and recent Ryerson Fashion graduate Justine Latour, will join the Institute as newly appointed Fellows.
The SRFI program focuses on individual goals ensuring each Fellow is well-equipped with the skills they need to enter the industry at various levels. The Fellows work with the SRFI and its community to create short- and long-term strategies that guide them to their end goals.
"During uncertain times, the SRFI gives emerging creatives the confidence of knowing they are supported while preparing them to be adaptive and responsive to change," said Robert Ott, Director of the SRFI. "We are excited that a strong group of emerging Canadian creatives will one day be industry leaders with the tools to succeed in any climate."
The SRFI supports 10 Fellows, each journeying into the fashion industry at various academic and professional levels. The new Fellows join Alexandra Armata, Lynne Hey, Matin Mithras, Stephanie Moscall-Varey, Julia Payton, Michal Perelmuter, Olivia Rubens, and Jonah Solomon.
Sara He
Sara He is an undergraduate student entering her third year of Fashion Design at Ryerson University. As a queer designer from a family of Chinese immigrants, Sara strives to create a voice for people like herself through her work.
Sara's background in visual arts informs her practice as an emerging fashion designer. With an interest in conceptual artists like Nick Cave and Urs Fischer, she is inspired to think unconventionally when approaching her design process. Sara values sustainable and socially conscious design and is committed to contributing progressive change to the fashion industry. In 2021, Sara will be completing a semester abroad at Amsterdam Fashion Institute.
Justine Latour
Justine Latour is a cognizant observer of the world around her, allowing sights, smells, and feelings of her surroundings to guide her work. Since graduating from Ryerson University's Fashion Design program in 2016, Justine relocated to Europe and currently resides in Berlin, Germany.
Justine champions innovative techniques and ethical textiles in order to subvert fast fashion in favour of sustainable wearable art. Through Burnt Design, an artistic collaboration with her twin sister Selina, she plays with "What Ifs" and draws inspiration from the bright colours of nostalgia and sisterhood. In November 2020, she will be moving to Lisbon, Portugal, to continue evolving her design practice. Justine specializes in print development for apparel and is beginning to translate this work into jewelry and accessories.
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Media Inquiries
The Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute, Dylan Kwacz, Program Coordinator, Tel: (416) 979-5000 x 6530, srfi@torontomu.ca
About The Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute
The Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute (SRFI) in the Faculty of Communication and Design at Ryerson University is a program dedicated to supporting emerging Canadian fashion designers nationally and internationally. Serving third and fourth-year Ryerson Fashion Design students and recent graduates, the Institute educates and provides mentorship, awards and international opportunities to new talent in fashion craftship. The SRFI was made possible through the generous $1-million gift from The Edward and Suzanne Rogers Foundation. For more information, visit www.srfi.ca (external link) .
About the Faculty of Communication and Design
Entering its eighth decade, FCAD is a global centre of media and creative invention. As a disrupter in innovative education, FCAD is dedicated to developing creators with authentic voices who engage directly with creative industries around the world.
With 23 undergraduate and graduate programs that are shaping the future of their fields and tight-knit partnerships around the world, FCAD offers more opportunities to educate the next generation of creative leaders than anywhere else. For more information, visit https://www.torontomu.ca/fcad.
About Ryerson University
Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the University is home to more than 46,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 3,800 faculty and staff, and over 200,000 alumni worldwide.