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When thinking of the word fashion, a few choice ideas may come to mind – luxury name brands like Louis Vuitton, superstar models strutting down a plush runway, and opulent figures wrapped up in unaffordable pieces. The idea of business will nearly never enter these conversations – which is exactly what the Ivey Fashion and Retail Club has set out to fix. The organization emphasizes the numerous career pathways in the fashion space, shedding any misconceptions about the industry and highlighting the importance of the club to the Ivey community.
Julia Switzer, the Conference Speaker Coordinator of the Ivey Fashion and Retail Club, generously took time out of her day to answer some questions about her organization. Switzer is in the second year of Ivey’s HBA program, previously studying BMOS under the Faculty of Social Science. Switzer is interested in marketing and analytics, and when asked why she joined the club, she said she was “always interested in fashion,” and “wanted to learn how you could work in an industry where [you] could exercise [your] interests.”
Her role as Conference Speaker Coordinator entails working with the rest of the team to organize conferences, in which Switzer helps retain sponsors, plan the theme, and is responsible for recruiting alumni for panels. Their annual Ivey Fashion Retail Conference (IRFC) has had past sponsorships from Aritzia, Holt Renfrew, & Shoppers’s Drug mart, who additionally host workshops to teach delegates about their business. Past speakers have included Debra Margles, President of Michael Kors Canada, and Larry Rosen, Chairmen & CEO of Harry Rosen. The IRFC is a comprehensive event that lets hopeful students looking to break into the industry learn invaluable lessons from some of the most prominent fashion business leaders and companies, while participating in workshops that strengthen critical thinking skills in the fashion space.
Switzer also shed insight on countless other activities the club undertakes, like their model photoshoots, where HBA students can sign up to model their best outfits. Sustainability panels and networking recruitment events that help members land jobs in their space of interest are just some of the additional endeavors the club undertakes.
Discussing the impact that the club has had on her, Julia said, “It was informative and quite eye-opening … it’s made me want to pursue a career in the fashion and retail industry, which was something I previously thought to be unattainable. The club has also helped foster connections within the Ivey network and fits nicely into the larger Ivey community.” When asked what sets this club apart from others, Switzer answered: “The nice thing about Ivey Fashion & Retail Club is that it’s a smaller, less imposing avenue for students looking to get involved, which has led to greater community bonding.”
As proven by the Ivey Fashion & Retail Club, there is a real opportunity for fashion enthusiasts to partake in the interests they love. Next time, when you think about fashion, just remember; Burberry, Bella Hadid, and most importantly – business.