Tell me a bit about yourself
Well, I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and was an extremely active kid. I was involved in just about everything: music and swimming lessons, arts and crafts projects, summers at the lake, and spending time with my Grandma who taught me how to bake. Thanks to my parents love of travel, and their packing us into the car for family trips every summer, by the time I was in high school, I had visited almost every state in the US.
Were you always fashion conscious? If so, give me an example. If not, when did you first start becoming interested in fashion?
Apparently I was! My Mom tells me that at age four I was given my first purse and that from then on I was obsessed with having a new purse to match every outfit! I do remember as a teenager, before going off to Camp in the summer, going through the Sears catalogue and ordering canvas sneakers in every available color.
When I was young, girls wore dresses and dresses were expensive to buy. As a result, my mom used to sew most of the dresses that my sister and I wore. I have always loved clothes and quickly caught on to the fact that you could have lots of new clothes if you made them yourself. So, using my mom’s old Singer sewing machine, I made a point to learn how to sew as a teenager. I would make a new outfit in a weekend for any upcoming Social event. I even designed and made my own Graduation Dress.
What was your first job? What lesson did you learn from it that has always stuck with you?
My parents did not permit me to work while I was in high school or university – they said that I had the rest of my life to work and that I should enjoy my youth – so my first “real” job was as a teacher. Actually, I felt very sorry for myself that my friends had jobs and I didn’t!
Where did you go to school & what did you take?
I took Education at the University of Manitoba and after graduating taught elementary & junior high school for 10 years.
When did you decide a career in the fashion industry was for you? And why did you want to get into fashion…or did you?
I got into my current career in the fashion industry quite by accident, actually. I had retired from teaching – was a stay-at-home mom with two toddlers – but had always been intrigued by retail, so just for something fun to do, I applied for a part time sales position at the BAY in Polo Park.
I was working in Ladies Fashions Dept when I was invited to model in a spring fashion show. Some NYGÅRD associates were in attendance and they recruited me to apply for a part time fit model position.
What was your first industry position?
After three months of working part time as a fit model, I was offered a full time position as think tank manager. From there I went into merchandising and the rest is history.
What is your current role?
I am currently the director of design for the Bianca Nygård division.
What are the joys of what you do?
There are many joys that come to mind. One of them is the opportunity to travel and work in several of the fashion capitals of the world. Another would be seeing someone in an airport or on the street wearing beautiful clothing from the Bianca Nygård collection. And I always love the satisfaction I get when the new collection is finished and we can actually see the results of all the effort spent in selecting fabrics, colors and designing styles actually become reality.
What are the challenges of what you do?
There are many challenges, but three key ones. First, it is always a challenge to read the market correctly. It’s not enough to just go into the marketplace and see all the new stuff in the shop windows. It is imperative that you understand what you’re seeing. The second major challenge would be to recognize and identify accurately the newest trends, whether it’s style or color and then to be able to discern if it’s a trend that could be important for months or years, or simply a fleeting fad. Thirdly, it’s always a challenge to interpret the trends in such a way that our customer will understand and be comfortable with.
What has been your favorite industry experience?
One of the most important, and thus my favorite experiences has been learning first hand that, until you try, one rarely knows the potential within that is just waiting to be developed. I was a teacher and I had no idea when I began working at NYGÅRD that I was embarking on a whole new career!
When I was offered a position in merchandising, I accepted it with fear and trepidation because I really had no idea if I had the skill or talent to actually be successful in the job. But, because some very wise and wonderful people had faith in me, mentored and encouraged me, now 29 years later, I can say that I have enjoyed an amazing career and currently have one of the most exciting jobs ever.
What is your body jewel?
My body jewel is not quite Pear and not quite Emerald.
What fashion advice would you offer others with the same body jewel?
This advice is applicable to any Body Jewel, really. Ladies are often self-conscious of their shape and try to hide inside loose fitting clothing when the fact is that loose fitting clothing does not flatter any shape or size, but rather makes a person look much bigger than they really are. What works better, and is much more flattering, is wearing clothing that fits, that has some gentle shaping.
Also important is wearing the right silhouettes together. For example, when wearing a narrow bottom, choose a longer length jacket or top, or a shorter jacket when wearing a straight leg pant.
How would you define your style and why?
Overall, I would define my personal style as modern. Some days I’m Sporty-Casual and some days I am Artistic- Eccentric. Bianca Nygård is designed to be a cross-generational brand and I love to wear styles from our newest collections to show people there is no age to great style. In fact, my daughter and I often wear styles from the same collections.
What was the best fashion advice you have ever received?
I’d have to say the best advice I ever received was that looking good starts on the inside, that it’s all about taking care of the body you have been blessed with. This includes getting enough sleep, not smoking, eating well, drinking lots of water daily, minimizing stress, exercising regularly and using a good moisturizer on your skin.
When you get dressed, besides the clothing you put on, it’s all about the details: a great haircut, manicured hands and feet, clean shoes and the right accessories.
What’s your favorite NYGÅRD piece and why?
Actually, it changes each season. Every new NYGÅRD piece I buy is my new favorite piece, because I feel so good wearing it and love it when someone stops me tell me how great it looks and where I bought it. That’s when I give them our newest Bianca Nygård stylebook and direct them to the nearest NYGÅRD store!
Have you worked closely with Peter Nygård, and if so, what have you learned from him?
I’ve learned a lot from Mr. Nygård. There are four key things that I will forever remember from working with him. First, know your customer. That means who she is and what she likes and dislikes. Second, always know what’s selling on a day-to-day basis. Third, know your competition, because the only way you can be a step ahead is to know what they are doing. And fourth, be the best value on the market.
From him, I’ve also learned to take pride in the NYGÅRD name, because it stands for great quality. As a designer, that means using the best quality fabrics, ensuring a consistent fit and making sure the finished garments look as good on the inside as they do on the outside.
