Faculty

We recognize that this is a challenging and uncertain time for everyone. We would like to thank our community for their patience and cooperation as we all work together to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Liza Deyrmenjian

Owner & Dean of The Cut Design Academy

With a distinguished career in the fashion industry that has spanned over thirty years, Liza Deyrmenjian is renowned internationally as an innovator, creator, and entrepreneur. Specialties include her work with emerging designers and brands. Clients have enjoyed features in iconic fashion magazines such as WWD, InStyle, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar, and she has personally coached various participants and winners participating in Project Runway.

A visionary with a talent for mentorship, Liza has ushered many young designers to success, even opening the doors for a 13-year-old protegee’s fashion line onto the coveted racks in Nordstrom department stores.

Julie Berg

Head of Fashion Design & Creative Direction

Julie Berg brings 25 years of forward-thinking fashion design and energy-fuelled marketing talent to the table. A product development specialist for both retail and private labels, she’s crafted contemporary designer sportswear and accessories collections for small-sized independent retailers and big brands alike.

Working since the early ’90s with Vancouver’s Neto Leather label, she’s been a creative resource for Canadian retailers Harry Rosen, Bod & Christensen, and Leone, and for US majors such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Boston Proper. Travelling across North America and Europe to industry trade shows, Julie has worked with fashion buyers and agencies to assist in marketing positioning and distribution, and with textile mills and tanneries for product development. As a business entrepreneur, she launched her own eco-sportswear label, Know Wear, whose tourism-targeted client list boasted Princess Cruise Lines, BC Ferries and Royal BC Museum, and reached targeted sales projections of $1M in the third year of operation. For the last six years, Julie has served as a full-time professor at prestigious Vancouver art colleges, instructing in both the design and marketing disciplines, ensuring excellent outcomes for the next generation of industry innovators.

Jessica Hsu

Head of Gerber & Technical Pattern Making

Jessica has worked in the fashion industry for almost three decades for brands such as Karma Athletics, Lotuswear Designs Ltd., and Design Group—just to name a few. Currently Jessica is a Senior Technical Pattern Lead at Arcteryx. In addition to Jessica's impressive career, she designs, creates and produces pet wear, uniforms, wedding gowns and other custom formal wear with impressive results. Jessica is an alumni of the prestigious Central Saint Martins School of Design.

Jessica is formally trained in British, Canadian and Japanese pattern drafting techniques. A graduate of LaSalle College, Van Nung University, Chin-Chin Institute of Fashion Design, and the Central Saint Martins University of Art short term fashion Design, Jessica has demonstrated a perpetual drive for excellence and constant growth. While Jessica continues to perfect her craft as a freelance designer, it is her dedication and technical expertise that have made her a highly valued employee, instructor and mentor.

Frederick Fung

Head of Pattern and Garment Assembly & Head of Couture 2nd Level Pattern Making

Frederick has over 10 years of teaching experience in clothing design and realization at Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD), and Art Institute of Vancouver (now is LaSalle College Vancouver). Frederick has worked for several Vancouver based Label companies as a pattern-maker, sample maker, textile manager Frederick owned Frederick Fung label and small production selling in 4 locations in Vancouver Along with six years of textile research and evaluation in different European and Asian countries Frederick's master level pattern skills combined with his global work experience, makes him an incredible instructor and mentor.

Frederick is Fluent in English, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese and basic Japanese. Frederick is the Founder and Director of non-profit organization Tass Fashion Show (2009-2014) And has received: scholarships for bachelor, master and doctoral degree study; 2010 Canada Olympic costume designer for Opening and Closing ceremony; Canada Small Business Grant

Talia Cohen

Head Instructor of Graphic Design & Global Marketing

Talia holds a BFA in Industrial Design from The Rhode Island School of Design, and has completed coursework at Brown University in Economics, MIT, and Babson School of Business. She has been a guest speaker at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, and has earned recognition as Canada’s top 30 under 30 from Marketing Magazine.

She currently lives in Vancouver, Canada and was most recently the Managing Digital Art Director at Lululemon Athletica. She has produced work for Virgin Mobile, Unilever, UBC, The Liberal Party, Vancouver Aquarium and others. Talia is also an avid underwater photographer, cold-water scubadiver, freediver and National Geographic has recognized her photos as ‘Editors Favourites’

Lyn Edwards

3D instructor

With over 15 years of traditional fashion experience, and a special expertise in performance sports apparel, Lyn is now working to educate the next generation of digital fashion designers. She started her career on the creative design side of the business, reverse engineering garments, and honing her pattern making skills. Lyn quickly embraced the digital 3D fashion revolution. A combined love of functional apparel, graphic design, cut and sew, materials and draping made 3D a perfect career fit. Lyn has worked with Target, Smartwool, The North Face, Under Armour, PVH, Spyder, Eddie Bauer.

Magali Blanc

Head of Design and Product at Brunette the Label

Following my bachelor's degree, I studied fashion design in Paris for four years. After graduating, I gained valuable experience as an intern at Vivienne Westwood in London and Vanessa Bruno in Paris, where I specialized in high-end fabrics and knitwear collections. Subsequently, I worked with luxury ready-to-wear brands in Paris, notably contributing to Maje Paris from its inception to significant expansion. During my time at Maje, I managed various product categories, collaborated with fabric mills and suppliers worldwide, and developed a design approach focused on luxury and strategic positioning.

I then joined Zoe Karssen in Amsterdam and Hong Kong, a popular ready-to-wear brand favored by celebrities such as Rihanna and Cara Delevingne. Following this, I served as Head of Design at Les Coyotes de Paris (now Rohe Frame) in Amsterdam. Later, I relocated to North America and played a key role in establishing State of Underdress, a Vancouver-based brand, overseeing all aspects of its development, from concept to production and branding.

Fiona D’souza

Product Development, Manufacturing, Fashion Design & Illustration

With over a decade of experience in the dynamic realm of fashion, Fiona brings a wealth of expertise to the table, honed through years of immersive involvement across various facets of the industry. Having embarked on their academic journey at the prestigious London College of Fashion, Fiona solidified her foundation in the craft before pursuing a Masters in Fashion Design from Domus Academy, Milan, further refining her skills amidst European fashion. Fiona's professional trajectory ranges from collaborating with renowned fashion retail brands in the development of commercially viable collections to delving deep into the intricate nuances of the product development process. Her firsthand experience with fashion houses such as Gianfranco Ferré, Versus Versace, and Lucio Vanotti has endowed her with a keen insight into the interplay of creativity and commerce. Notably, Fiona has graced the illustrious Milan Fashion Week stage alongside Sabato Russo, where their visionary creations captivated audiences and garnered acclaim.

As a design consultant, Fiona is revered for their holistic approach, seamlessly guiding brands from conceptualization to production with finesse and precision. Her mastery of the product development process ensures the seamless translation of ideas into successful, market-ready collections. With a blend of hands-on experience, academic rigor, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Fiona remains steadfast in her commitment to shaping the future of sustainable fashion.

Victor Del Castillo

Senior UX/UI Visual Designer

Victor Del Castillo is a Senior UX/UI Visual designer who graduated from Vancouver Film School (VFS) from the Game Design Program and from the Fine Arts School of Design in Mexico City (EDINBA) as a graphic designer specializing in multimedia and advertising and working as an art and creative director for different brands such as Samsung, Adidas and Aeromexico. He lives and works in Vancouver, Canada as a UX/UI Instructor, teacher, speaker and mentor, empowering and inspiring students at several universities including Vancouver Film School, Cornerstone University, Tamwood and others, he also works as a Senior Artist (UX/UI Designer) at Gearbox Software, for the WWE 2K24 title, working for a former UX/UI Designer at Relic Entertainment/SEGA for the title Company of Heroes 3, previously UX/UI designer at Popreach for the mobile title Payday: Crime War, at Piranha Games for Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries, Cleebo Casino, EA, Hard Rock Casino and other game studios. With 11 years working in the games industry, 15 years working in the advertising, multimedia, and graphic design industry, shipped 12 titles, worked on 15,he's worked for PC/Xbox/PlayStation and mobile titles for the gaming industry, teaching and mentoring since 1999 Victor Del Castillo has received several national and international awards in advertising and games.

Steve Kim

Senior Lead for Graphic Design Diploma

Steve began his career in the technology sector as an Apple technician. However, his unwavering passion for education gradually led him to establish Synet Computer Inc., a venture dedicated to guiding students in pursuing various certifications. The company has operated for more than 20 years but is currently closed. Steve holds several certifications, including Adobe Certified Expert, A+, Network+, and MCP, demonstrating his technical expertise. He also holds a Master's degree in Design, showcasing his commitment to education and diverse skill set.

One of Steve's strengths is his ability to create innovative teaching methodologies that promote immersive, hands-on learning experiences for his students. This suggests that he is knowledgeable and skilled in delivering effective education. In addition to his professional experiences, Steve has also had unique life experiences. He served as a Ranger instructor in the South Korean Army when he was young, reflecting his commitment to service and leadership. On a more personal note, Steve enjoys hobbies such as hiking, drawing, and hot oxygen yoga & fitness. These interests showcase his well-rounded personality and desire for a balanced and active lifestyle.

Madison Prangnell

Senior Pattern Making Instructor.
Foundation, couture, and technical.

Madison has over 8 years of garment construction and pattern making knowledge. She is a VCAD Fashion Design graduate and has been working with various freelance clients and small businesses based in Vancouver for the past 4 years. Working as a Start-Up Product Consultant, Materials and Sourcing Coordinator, and Junior Designer gave her all of the confidence to start her own businesses.

Now, she owns Madison Prangnell Atelier, a full service alterations and customwear shop that caters to custom event wear and bridal. She also is CEO and co-founder of size inclusive, women's underwear brand, Here For Hazel.

Shanna Mair

Head of Costume for TV and Film

Originally from Toronto this Vancouver based designer, has been working in the costume & wardrobe department for 17 years. Shanna’s projects range from commercials, TV, film and print, to include contemporary, period and fantasy. HBO’s “You Me Her”, CW’s “Supergirl” and Netflix’s “Lucifer” are amongst many of the projects she has been fortunate enough to design.

Her creative journey started very young with graphic, interior and visual design which lead her to Capilano University, where she took Costume for film and TV. This career change came about after many years of styling and retail display. Shanna prides herself on her ability to adapt to any project, if it is a commercial or a feature film. She believes that costume design is a vital part of helping an actor realize their character and she hopes to continue this career path to help tell stories through her creativity.

Kam Bhalla

Head of Styling and Events

Kam Bhalla has a passionate association across the scope of fashion, style, social culture, visual storytelling and interior styling. She nurtures these passions in her career as a Personal Stylist. Stacked with over 10 years of styling experience, 8 of these years as a Top Producing Personal Stylist at Nordstrom Vancouver and currently at Holt Renfrew. March of 2023 she became business partners for a new luxury pre-loved boutique. Style Re-issue is a full-circle moment for Kam - combining a love for fashion and environmental sustainability. Kam has a solid reputation for curating a wardrobe for clients one that is accessible, timeless and authentic. Kam is known for her luxury aesthetic, she expertly navigates clients through their events, closets, and home interiors. Kam's styling has been featured on the red carpet, music videos, TV shows, fashion editorials and more. Kam has demonstrated through her work how the transformative power of fashion can inspire and project confidence, self-love and self-expression.

Dhanya Devan

Fashion illustration & Adobe Instructor

Dhanya is a sustainability enthusiast with almost a decade of experience in Design Education.She is passionate about Textiles, Graphic Design,Illustration and Fabric Manipulation.She is an Adobe Certified Professional in Graphic Design and Illustration. She holds a Masters in Fashion Design. Alongside The Cut Fashion Academy, she is also serving as a Digital Illustration Instructor in LaSalle College, Vancouver.

Dhanya has previously served as a Vice Principal & Head of Department in a renowned Design College in India.In addition to being an instructor, she also took part in numerous sustainability initiatives and organised several fashion shows. She was able to bring new perspective to fashion by being an inevitable part of South India's first skytrain fashion show.

Nikki Renshaw

Head of Home Decorating

After a lifelong passion for art and design, Nikki decided to focus their energy on fashion. They are a graduate of Blanche MacDonald’s fashion design program, and their designs have been featured in Schön Magazine and Folklr Magazine. After graduation Nikki moved on to commission-based work and is now focusing on enhancing their personal brand, as well as teaching and styling.

Chay Clayton

Senior Gerber Digital Pattern Making Instructor & Senior Pattern Making Instructor

VCAD Alumni, who has been working at The Cutting Room for two years, pattern making and sample sewing. Chay has been a favorite instructor to many of The Cut's students for the last two years and now enjoys teaching Gerber Digital Pattern Making at The Cut. Chay also was head seamstress at Scissors, a costume creation studio that specializes in creating out of this world garments for film.

NUNO HAN

Head Instructor of CLO 3D

Nuno's career as a pattern maker has backgrounds in physics, fashion design, professional pattern making school, and fashion business in South Korea and Canada. Because of these backgrounds, his patterns are very systematic, scientific, and logical.

Nuno also, has a wealth of knowledge and skills due to various working experiences for women’s wear like outdoor, swim wear, women’s blazer, pants, jacket, yoga wear, draping, grading, marking, sewing, technical sketch, Gerber, CLO3D, Browzwear, Blender and so on(This is why people call me “wizard”). He worked with designer Nova Chiu based in London on a design that was featured in the British Vogue website For the past 2 years, Nuno has been focusing on 3D garment engineering.

Komal Chharahhan

Sewing Instructor

Komal Chharahhan, founder and creative director of Ginni Gill, is an Indo - Canadian fashion designer. Her love for garment making began at the age of 13 when her grandmother introduced her into the world of sewing by making Indian wear for special occasions. Her passion for learning different techniques soon turned her newfound love into a business. Fashion design naturally became a creative outlet for Komal to experiment with.

After immigrating to Canada at the age of 19 she started building her drawing skill set. Soon after that she began her fashion career at the Visual College of Art Design where she studied fashion design with a speciality in fashion marketing. With a keen interest in pattern making and garment construction, Komal has acquired a range of expertise. Adept in technical skills such as drawing, computer- aided design and pattern drafting Komal has gained a love for teaching all that she has learned. Komal began her teaching career in fashion design at the Cut Design Academy in June of 2022 in Vancouver, BC.

Sarah Caddy

Body, Lingerie and Swim Design & Make Instructor

Sarah, a professional with a 15-year tenure in the fashion industry, specializing in Swim and Intimates for the past decade. Having attained a BA in Fashion Design from Nottingham Trent University, experience includes contributions to renowned brands like Aritzia, Agent Provocateur, Stella McCartney, and Heidi Klein. Additionally, engagement in consultancy roles for smaller London-based labels such as Nensi Dojaka and Olivia Von Halle. Possessing a blend of creative and technical expertise crucial to this sector, aiming to stimulate forward-thinking and skill enhancement within the fashion profession.

Heidi C

Head of Makeup Artistry

Heidi has been a makeup and hair artist in Vancouver since 2010 after leaving her job as a flight attendant. Her journey started from a makeup counter to bridal to commercial. She has worked hundreds of weddings, has been published over three dozen times and is currently agency represented. She worked for many brands on the market, was a trainer with a French luxury brand and is currently a studio makeup artist with another.

Keely Mahon

Senior Makeup and Hair Instructor

I take great pride in honing my skills as a freelance makeup artist and hairstylist since the early 2000s in the picturesque Vancouver, BC. Over the years, I've had the privilege of enhancing numerous faces and creating stunning hairstyles for clients in various industries, including television/film, fashion, bridal, photography, and corporate sectors. My experience spans working with a diverse range of actors, models, hosts, and brides. In addition to my hands-on work, I've had the pleasure of passing on my expertise to budding artists and learning from esteemed mentors. My passion lies in continuous learning, connecting with people, and thriving in my chosen profession. Above all, there's nothing more gratifying than ensuring each client looks and feels their absolute best :)

Jessica Lockert

Makeup Artistry Instructor

Jessica Lockert has been working full time in the beauty industry since 2011, and as a makeup educator since 2017. She is passionate about helping individuals feel confident by enhancing their natural beauty and mentoring the next generation of artists. Jessica has had the pleasure of working on a variety of fashion shows, film sets, commercial shoots, and with celebrity clients. Some of her notable work includes providing makeup services for: The LPGA Tour, The Medallion Club Awards Gala, Seala, The Port of Vancouver, The BC Nurses Union, Miss Vancouver Pageant, Napolean Perdis Cosmetics, and has been published in over 100+ magazines around the globe along with 8 features. She is excited and honoured to be one of the instructors to teach Makeup Artistry at The Cut Academy.