PVA Fashion

THE CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS AT CENTRAL MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

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Fashion Program Overview

PVA Fashion Design is a three year enriched program designed for students interested in broadening their fashion and visual art experience in a practical and artistically challenging environment. Students will develop practical skills necessary to create, construct and analyze fashion design and are encouraged to find personal expression and creative voice through their project work. In addition to their fashion design classes each year, students will also be enrolled in a visual art class to enhance their understanding of the key elements and principles of color and design.

Students with a wide range of backgrounds may enter this program to learn and practice the garment construction foundations that will lead them towards personal style and innovation by the end of grade 12. This program will offer a thorough study in fashion design and will include a wide range of textile media exploration, history of fashion, fashion appreciation and professional development in fashion design and marketing. Students will explore visual art techniques and styles of fashion illustration, which will include fashion figure drawing and movement, garment drawing and fabric rendering techniques. Students will also be expected to understand and display the necessary skills involved in designing and constructing a couture garment.

Leadership in the Arts 35 / Entrepreneurial Artist

All PVA 30-level students are enrolled in one Leadership in the Arts 35 (LITA). These programs of study allow PVA students to explore how they see themselves as artists and become more aware of the process involved in preparing for the marketing and business aspect of being a professional in the arts community.

Students will experience a variety of teacher-led assignments/activities as well as a number of student-directed online projects. Through LITA experiences, students will learn not only how to act as professional artists, but how to develop a desire to be lifelong participants in the fabric of our community. Students will be able to tailor their experience in LITA to their interests, from planning events, participating in competitions, or making promotional videos and social media content, to sitting on boards and participating in committees and writing grants.

Audition/Interview Requirements – Fashion

To audition for PVA Fashion, students must have previously submitted all components of the PVA application process.  Please see Apply Online for further information.

This year due to Covid 19 restrictions, PVA Fashion interviews will be held virtually. Please prepare a digital slideshow that showcases your work so that it meets the requirements listed below. Please post your slideshow here.

What to have prepared:

  • Be prepared to share 5-10 pieces of your work that demonstrate your skill, experience and range of ability in fashion design.
  • Be sure to include art and garments you created in junior high art/fashion class, at home, at camps or other work you created with other programs.
  • Include a wide range of work that demonstrates variety in your ability (fashion illustration sketches, proportionate figure drawings, garment styles/parts, understanding of fashion trends/cycles etc).
  • Consider presenting garments you’ve sewn (or samples) that display couture techniques.

PVA auditions/interviews are friendly and supportive. This may be your first audition ever and we want everyone to have a positive and fun experience.

Our Teachers

staff-Warner, Kerry

Kerry Warner

Kerry Warner

Fashion Illustration and
Visual Art Techniques Instructor

Kerry Warner graduated from the University of Calgary’s Master of Education program in June of 2007 and joined Central Memorial Fine Art Department the following September.

In 2005 Ms. Warner completed her Bachelor of Fine Art at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan with a major in Painting and an extensive knowledge in printmaking, drawing, and sculpture. Since graduation, Ms Warner has shown with the Elissa Cristall Gallery in Vancouver, British Columbia where she has gained recognition with collectors in Canada, the United States, and Asia. Ms Warner’s work has been published in Essential Vancouver magazine, 2006/07 and Passion Pages, 2009.

Ms Warner’s current work is described as formalist abstract. She often works on series’ of up to twelve paintings at a time and can take over 6 months to complete a series. Ms Warner’s work is a juxtaposition between spontaneous washes and controlled methodical impasto areas creating a history within each piece. It is a deconstruction of painting as a language, becoming enhanced each time she adds a new colour or mark to the canvas.

staff-Blitt, Dora

Dora Blitt

Fashion Instructor

Dora Blitt, a Professional Home Economist, graduated from the University of Calgary Master of Teaching program in 2002 after obtaining her BSc (HEc) from the University of Alberta, majoring in Clothing and Textiles. Ms. Blitt looks forward to sharing her knowledge of clothing construction as part of PVA Fashion Design.

Her love and appreciation of fashion, the arts, textiles and personal expression has continued to grow since her early employment in fashion retailing. Ms. Blitt is proud to join the distinguished faculty of The Centre for Performing & Visual Arts at Central Memorial High School.

Fashion FAQ

Fashion Program FAQ

Q:  Do I need training in fashion design to apply to Central’s PVA Fashion Design program?

No. Previous training is not required to apply to our fashion design program, but a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and abilities is. Please refer to our “how to apply” section for details and examples of what we look for in a portfolio.

Q:  Do I have to have a portfolio when I apply?

Yes. A portfolio is a collection of your work that will represent you and your artistic/fashion background. It will give us insight into your skill level, your potential, your creativity and your past experiences. Please refer to our “how to apply” section for more information regarding portfolio requirements.

Q:  If I specialize in figure illustration, do I still have to be able to sew?

Yes. Students in the PVA Fashion Design program will be expected to complete the pre-requisite fashion studies modules of introductory, intermediate and advanced Fashion classes. The curriculum in these courses does expect students to work within a broad range of materials and textile arts.

Q: When do PVA Fashion Design students take Leadership in the Arts 35 or Entrepreneurial Artist?

All PVA students are required to complete either Leadership in the Arts 35 or Entrepreneurial Artist (Junior Achievement). These are self-directed courses that run outside the regular school day. Students will experience a combination of teacher-directed assignments/activities combined with student-directed and/or on-line projects. Sessions for these courses usually occur at lunch or after school for fashion design students and will involve the creation of a final grade 12 portfolio. Students will learn about careers in fashion design, illustration and marketing, attend workshops, meet local designers, participate in community fashion activities and complete all other course requirements outside the regular timetable. For PVA Fashion Design students, this course begins in grade 10 and finishes at the end of grade 12 with a final exit interview and portfolio celebration.