Student Spotlight: Claire Wong, Pattern-Making
Some things in life are so unpredictable! It was unlikely that 5-years ago, Claire Wong was thinking about returning to school and possibly starting a small business in 2022. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Claire and her family (husband and two sons), moved to Vancouver almost 4-years ago. Since then, they have been enjoying exploring the beautiful west coast and trying their luck at biking, kayaking, and snowshoeing.
When Claire applied for The Cut, she knew that her time wouldn’t be compromised because Admissions goes out of its way to ensure that the student’s needs come first. Flexibility is key when planning education and that is something The Cut delivers.
Why did you originally decide to apply at The Cut for your education?
I chose The Cut because I wanted a course that wasn’t a huge time commitment (it runs for 14 weeks) but would give me a good breadth of knowledge in pattern making and would give me a certificate that is recognizable in the industry. I would love to start my own small business as an indie pattern designer and sell my patterns online, and I hoped this course would give me the skills to realize that dream. I live in Vancouver so it’s not far to travel either!
What skills are you looking forward to learning this semester?
I’m really excited to learn about pattern making because it will give me creative freedom to make things of my own design, and also improving my sewing skills.
What are your plans upon graduating?
Upon graduating I plan on continuing to formulate a plan for a pattern business, and designing patterns for my line. I’ll also be enjoying the warmer weather with my kids.
What excites you the most about 2022?
I’m excited that 2022 has been the year of me expanding my skillset in a big way and it has given me a lot more direction. I was very nervous when I started the course, unsure about how school would fit in with my family life as a busy Mum, and it had been 20 years since I was in education. It has been better than I could have imagined though and I’m having a great time and learning so much.
Who are some of your favourite fashion designers or creators?
I’m a big fan of Orla Kiely’s print and garment designs (although unfortunately, that business is no more), and also love Marimekko prints and bold colourful things.