 Designing a dream
Fashion student uses George Brown education to help open her own store
Diana Velez does everything with maximum effort – and at maximum speed. That includes learning a new language, completing two certificates and opening a store.
When she arrived in Canada in January 2008, Diana had one goal: to have what she had back home in Colombia.
“I didn’t want to have to change what I do, like so many who come to a new country,” the 48-year-old fashion designer says. “I decided to open a store here in Canada but knew I had to prepare myself properly.”
Diana quickly realized that making her dream of shop ownership in Canada a reality meant going to school to get the necessary education and certification. “My experience owning a shop and working as a designer in Colombia gave me confidence in my abilities, but I had to learn about how to do things in Canada,” Diana says. “I couldn’t speak the language and didn’t know how things happened in Canada. It was like having to start all over again.” Luckily, for Diana, she found just the help she needed for her relaunch through Continuing Education at George Brown College.
A new start
“When I arrived in Toronto, George Brown was recommended to me several times,” she says. “I also read the student success stories. In fact, I was always interested in reading more of them, so to be one is absolutely amazing.”
Diana began taking courses for both the Essential Skills in Fashion Certificate and the Image Consulting Certificate in May 2008. By the end of October 2009, she had completed all the certificate requirements plus two additional courses (an extra elective from the Fashion Certificate as well as Fashion Education). As always, Diana was on the fast-track to success. “I work a lot, and I work quickly, so I’m always pushing ahead,” Diana says. “While I was in school, I needed to finish in a hurry because I had a goal.”
But she still got to enjoy her in-school experience.
“The teachers were so nice and so helpful. They always took the time to explain things and make sure I understood, since English is not my first language,” she says. “They always gave us an opportunity to do things, and, through that, we definitely learned a lot.”
The dream realized
In November 2009, Diana achieved her original goal when her new store, Diana Velez, Fashion Designer & Image Consulting, opened its doors in Toronto’s Sheppard Centre. The shop features both a retail outlet, where Diana displays her designs, and a workshop, where she works with clients to create the perfect dress, outfit or wardrobe.
“From the moment I arrived in Canada, I wanted to have what I have now,” she says. “I’m very happy doing what I’m doing. It’s what I love, and I’m glad to be doing it in my new home. I’m very grateful to George Brown for what they’ve given me and the role they played in making my dream a reality.”
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