Suzette van Bakel | Department Head | Kelowna
Suzette is a seasoned professional with experience in fashion design, technical development, and global 
sourcing. Born and educated in England, Suzy followed her passion by working for a major British company designing and manufacturing for Marks & Spencer. Suzy soon found herself jet-setting around the world to Paris, Milan, and New York. She moved on to further her experience in the industry by honing technical and creative skills in Asia and North Africa. This cultural experience proved essential in grasping the ‘real’ global fashion industry.
Following a successful British career, Suzy was recruited by Nygard International and immigrated to Winnipeg where she designed and developed the Nygard Collection label. In 2000, Suzy seized the opportunity to expand into more casual collections and moved to Vancouver as Director of Product Development for a major denim company. Working with Harley Davidson, Levi’s, Nordstrom, Tristan, and the Gap to name a few, Suzy was once again travelling the world researching, developing, and sourcing exciting new products.
During her 6 years in Vancouver, Suzy was also teaching fashion design and merchandising at the Art Institute of Vancouver and John Casablanca’s Institute, before moving to Kelowna in 2009.
Michelle Kulyk | Department Head | Halifax
Michelle’s strong passion for design and garment manufacturing along with extensive industry experience make her the perfect leader for the Fashion Design & Merchandising program. After graduating from Ryerson Poly-Tech in Apparel Production Management, Michelle’s career has explored a range of textiles in wholesale, retail, and private label environments. From launching and managing an ethically sourced retail store to managing the production process for many local clothing manufacturers, Michelle’s diverse industry expertise and real world teachings will provide critical knowledge for her students.
Michelle believes that a strong foundation in the basics will give students the confidence to adapt, to problem solve, to invent their own and to get their dream job. In addition to exploring the exciting creative design process, Michelle’s mandate is to develop in her students the realistic skills they will need to deliver their creations to market and succeed. But she doesn’t always play it safe - Michelle believes that some of the greatest discoveries stem from taking risks, experimenting and sometimes making mistakes.
Liz Hardy | Instructor | Halifax
Liz is the owner and designer of Liz Hardy Design, which offers full graphic design services for print, packaging
and textiles. Her diverse resume includes a position as the development event coordinator with the Easter Seals of Nova Scotia and graphic design work with Littlehorse Communications. Liz also worked as Art Director at uMaMe Maternity assisting their growth internationally and as a strong competitor in the Canadian maternity wear industry – a role that exhibited her full range of talents from design and creating textile prints to marketing and interacting with department stores, contractors, and fabric suppliers.
Liz was one of only ten students to be accepted into the Master of Design Program at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where she previously received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Textiles and Associate of Graphic Design. To further her education she also studied fashion at the Leeds College of Art and Design in the UK, as the final year of her BFA.
Liz joins us as a Fashion Design & Merchandising instructor after three years as a sessional professor with NASCAD’s fashion department.
Kim Munson | Instructor | Halifax
Kim studied Fashion Design at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Toronto. Upon graduation, she established her clothing line, Orphanage Clothing, which is available across Canada in fine boutiques.
Kim has been recognized for her high standards of construction by both her loyal customer base and her retail outlet clients, and for her leadership in the Canadian Green Clothing movement. Kim’s vision for Orphanage is putting Halifax on the world fashion stage and pushing people’s boundaries of where the green clothing movement can go. Kim teaches Pattern Drafting and Draping at the Centre for Arts and Technology in Halifax.
Ingrid Uhrich | Instructor | Kelowna
With more than 20 years of fashion and design expertise, Ingrid Uhrich brings a perfectionist’s eye and a professional’s style to the Fashion Design Program. With a background in Graphic Design from Okanagan University College, Ingrid went on to distinguish herself as a Dean’s List honouree at UCFV West Coast, earning their celebrated Outstanding Achievement Award in Fashion Design.
Over the years, Ingrid has worked in the design and product development departments for many global, national, and local fashion manufacturers. Today, Ingrid is the founder and lead designer of ARTBOX Studio Fashions - an exclusive couture service. Ingrid has also created Mama Ella Designs, a handmade, vintage apron line.
Shauna Weninger | Instructor | Kelowna
Shauna Weninger received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design and Technology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and started her career in Vancouver, BC. Shauna’s love of detail and beautiful fabrics led her to a position with a luxury lingerie designer Patricia Fieldwalker, in Vancouver. Shauna was involved in all aspects of the design, product development, and manufacturing sectors of this company.
With a strong belief that mastering technical skills is the foundation for extraordinary creations, Shauna moved to Kelowna in 2009 to bring her knowledge and passion to the Fashion Design & Merchandising program at the Centre for Arts and Technology. Now a part-time instructor in Kelowna, Shauna’s technical skills enable her to continue her work on a remote basis for Patricia Fieldwalker in Vancouver.
