Faculty Roster
PAULA SHNEER
CHAIR, FASHION MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING
Paula began her career in education as the co-coordinator of the Fashion Marketing & Merchandising program at the Academy of Design in 1997 while still remaining a partner in a wholesale sales agency. With over 25 years in the Fashion Industry, she brings to her position extensive experience in fashion merchandising, retailing and wholesale. Paula worked with a number of designers, manufacturers and retailers developing lines and private label programs across Canada and into the U.S.
In 2005 Paula opened Mix Consulting working with new fashion entrepreneurs to help develop their marketing, merchandising and sales strategies. Paula has also worked very closely with The Toronto Fashion Incubator conducting sales clinics, seminars, workshops and webcasts. She has been a key note speaker for the Educational Program for CSCEx 2006, a member of the Business Advisory Board for the Yukon Territory and is a BDC consultant. Paula is also on the executive of Fashion Group International currently co-chairing their educational committee. A graduate of York University, she is currently pursuing a MA.
JENNIFER DARES
Jennifer Dares is one of Canadaʼs recognized contemporary designers currently reshaping this countryʼs fashion landscape. Graduating from Sheridan Collegeʼs fashion program with coveted honours and awards, Jennifer Dares gained her knowledge and expertise over the course of a long and fruitful career stretching for over twenty years. Jennifer has pattern drafted for a major clothing manufacturer; managed and recruited
for a major department store; excelled as a sales associate and assistant buyer for the Emporio Armani boutique; established her own collection; and, provided trend
forecasting and fashion consulting services for major retailers and manufacturers. The breadth of Jenniferʼs knowledge and her extensive experience in every facet of the
clothing industry enabled her to arrive at an important milestone with the establishment of the LAYER label in 2002. Over the course of six seasons, LAYER made a profound
impact on the Toronto fashion circuit. With dazzling off-site shows, cutting-edge styling and standing-room only crowds, Jennifer quickly established herself as the darling of the
media.
LAYER had been the focus of numerous television broadcasts, published in every major Canadian magazine and newspaper, as well as internationally. Jennifer was also
selected from over 600 international entries, to present in two of five categories featured on the runway at Gen Artʼs new designerʼs presentation in New York City.
In recent years, Jennifer has firmly established herself as a respected consultant on trends and design. Initially for the Hbc Fashion Office in 2006, and then independently,
Jennifer provides direction on themes, colour, fabric, print, pattern, styling, details, and silhouettes for a number of major players in the industry, including Sears, Walmart,
Forzani Group and PYA Importer.
DORIS MONTANERA
Doris Montanera is an award-winning freelance writer and editor with more than a decade of experience. Along with a stint as the editor of Stylemagazine, her work has appeared in top publications such as The Globe and Mail, National Post, Chatelaine, Elle Canada, Best Health, Flare, Glow, Style at Home, and others.
JANET EVANS
Janet graduated from Ryerson with a diploma in Fashion Merchandising. She has had 30 years of Retail Buying experience, with Holt Renfrew, Eaton’s, and The Bay, buying Ladies RTW and Accessories. Her career has been spent, developing Private Label Programs, as well as buying Branded and Designer Lines.
KEITH RICHARDSON
Keith first studied architecture and environmental design at the Ontario College of Art. Realizing the similarities of the two medium, both involve turning two-dimensional materials into three-dimensional items, the intimacy and immediacy of fashion won out, and Keith went on to study at the prestigious Galasso School of Design in Toronto, learning couture techniques of patternmaking. After graduating Keith went on to further his studies at George Brown College, where he studied industrial methods of garment design and manufacturing. Keith spent 10 years working in Miami, for numerous sportswear companies, and upon returning to Toronto, began teaching at the Academy of Design.
Keith has won numerous awards for his work in fashion, he continues to design and has published a textbook “Introduction to Stretch” a patternmaking manual for knits and stretch fabrics.
JOHN ADAMS
His advertising career started in Los Angles, California at the prestigious Art Center College of Design, where he received a BFA. His schooling and talent lead to jobs in Los Angles, Chicago and Toronto. Through an ongoing career in different countries for more than 25years, John has been honoured with hundreds of awards for creative excellence; he has held the titles of Art Director, Creative Director, Partner, owner and mentor.
John has had the privilege of working on almost everything from A-Z, in marketing, promotion, and putting it all together in advertising campaigns. Creating over 500 TV commercials, hundreds of radio commercials and countless print pieces, from Annual reports, to posters, to complete advertising campaigns to designing startup magazines. He has also had the good fortune of working with some of the best in the business both in the U.S., Canada and around the world. He is currently pursuing his MFA. As well as running an advertising/design agency, John teaches.
SUSAN ANDERSON
A graduate of the Institute of Design in Caracas, Susan did freelance work in textile design, worked as an assistant art director and as an editorial photographer’s assistant on location in Venezuela. She has worked in the industry as a carpet designer catering to a market niche in ‘one of a kind’ pieces as well as commercial applications. Her work has been published on covers of National trade magazines and has won an award in “Focus I Design” at the One of a Kind Canadian Craft Show.
PAT KLINE
Pat Kline began her career teaching. She directed the Communication Arts program at Seneca College and taught in the English division.
Pat left Seneca to co-found Finishing Touches, a high end fashion store known for its impeccable taste, customer service and commitment to Canadian fashion. For many years, Pat, and her partner, designed and produced two private lines for retail in Finishing Touches. These lines developed a very loyal following and received substantial editorial coverage. Finishing Touches was voted ’Best Independent Retailer for 2000’ by the City of Toronto’s Fashion Excellence Committee.
Pat remained connected to the academic environment: she served on the Advisory Committee of Humber College, spoke to many fashion classes and mentored students.
Finishing Touches was cited often for its involvement with both charities and high schools. Pat founded the North Yonge Business Association (forerunner of the current BIA) and was instrumental in turning the area into a vital retail community.
Pat received an Honours B.A. from McMaster University, and spent a graduate year at Queens.
ROBERT OGILVIE
Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Rob headed west and spent several years in Calgary before returning to make Toronto home. He has distinguished himself in the industry in buying, sales management, marketing, and training roles with several major retailers before beginning his teaching career. Robert continued to develop and instruct courses for both private sector and public post-secondary institutions specializing in the marketing and computer area until becoming full-time faculty at the Academy of Design in 2001. Rob was honoured to receive the Faculty Excellence Award from the Academy in 2000 for ‘outstanding long-term consistency in achieving high-quality work in the classroom, administratively, and with co-workers’ and was one of four faculty members selected by students and colleagues to represent the Toronto Campus of the Academy as Educator of the Year in 2004 and again in 2007. Rob holds a Diploma in Social Science (Psychology) from John Abbott College (1976), Montreal, and a Diploma in Business Administration (Human Resources) from Mount Royal College (1981), Calgary. A lifelong learner, he continued to attend courses and seminars completing a Teaching Effectiveness Certificate at Humber College (2000) and his B. Ed. (Adult Education) from Brock University (2003). M. Ed. From Brock University April 2009.
JAMES FOWLER
At age four I cut up a wedding dress trying to make clothes for my new Barbie doll. Fast forward V.C.C.-Fine Arts- for textile manipulation. Next -Ryerson Polytechnic for Fashion followed by a decade as a noted fashion designer, followed by a dozen years as Chair of Fashion at the Academy of Design and a couple more as Director of the School of Fashion. But, I missed the cloth, so full circle and back to cutting up clothes to make new things! I started TEXTI’LL five years ago. Shows have included: SKIN: in the cooler at MADE, The One of a Kind (Toronto),
Originals(Ottawa), The Cabbagetown festival, The Queen west art crawl, Pieceworks (Gladstone hotel) and Radiant Darkness I (Toronto) and Radiant Darkness I(Cambridge) as well as several private commissions, including work for the government of Ontario.
SUZANNE POLLACK
Suzanne Pollock has 23 years of expertise as a retail executive, she has seen and done it all. Before becoming a consultant, Ms. Pollock was the Director of Planning and Purchasing at Sporting Life Inc., leading them into a period of financial and profitable growth. During her tenure, she became a recognized and respected leader in the Toronto Fashion Industry. She began her career as a salesperson. With hard work and dedication, she rose rapidly in the business. Suzanne has become an independent consultant, guiding growing companies through the organizational and growth process. Suzanne holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude with an AA from the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
MARTYN LEE
Martyn Lee was introduced to display and communication arts while working at a heritage museum, in his southern Ontario hometown. Having an artistic and aesthetic sensibility, an interest grew. A career of being creative in a three dimensional way, with possibilities to educate, persuade or evoke emotion appealed to him. After studying fine art in post secondary school, Martyn went on to graduate from a Visual Merchandising Arts program. This was the launching point into an exciting nineteen year career.
As a Visual Presentation Specialist, he took every opportunity to move through his field gaining exposure, experience and education. Martyn is proud to have worked at two of Toronto’s leading department store, flagship locations.
Martyn’s appreciation for visual appeal goes beyond fashion merchandising. Martyn spends his down time building a fine art collection of oil paintings.
KAREN ABOUD
Karen A. Aboud, the principal of K.A.A. Business Solutions, is a senior executive with plus 25 years experience in the Retail industry. Her expertise in planning, analytics and training will help businesses optimize. Her business acumen and renown as a subject matter expert earns her respect throughout the industry.
Karen’s work history includes Hudson’s Bay Company, The Bay, Ryerson and the International Academy of Design. Her client list covers all of the retail industry from cosmetics and jewellery to apparel. Her current clients include Jones Apparel Group Canada, Garbo Group, Bestseller, Esprit Canada Wholesale Inc, Chateau D’Argent, Diamonair and Quicksilver Roxy.
Karen loves to teach and is an inspiring trainer and coach. She has authored many training programs within the retail industry, coaching all levels of management. Karen has been teaching for 10 years at the college level where she has developed new courses and also mentors numerous students.
MARK WICKEN
Mark is a marketing professional with over 35 years of marketing, advertising and communications experience in Canada, the United States and internationally. Mark has held senior account management positions with several multi-national advertising agencies and has been responsible for accounts including IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. He was Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Canada with Domino’s Pizza International as well as Director of Marketing for KFC restaurants in the Middle East.
In 1996 Mark successfully transferred his experience into executive search and in 2002 established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries.
Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development and is currently President of MusicFest Canada, the largest annual education based Music Festival in North America. He has been an instructor in marketing, business, career planning and job search at the Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998, as well as a guest lecturer at the Ontario College of Art & Design, Humber College and The Rotman School of Business Management - The University of Toronto
Mark graduated from The University of Toronto and took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University in Illinois. He lives in Toronto and is married with two sons.
MICHELLE PLANCHE
Michelle Planche is an accomplished event specialist who has built a name for herself in the event planning industry. President of Paradigm Events Inc., winner of the 2005 Canadian Event Producer of the Year Award, nominee for the 2006 & 2007 Canadian Event Producer of the Year, Michelle represents the true essence of entrepreneurship. Planche started Paradigm Events Inc. in 1996 specializing in conference and special event planning.
Michelle’s passion for planning started with the original creation The Art of Fashion; an organization dedicated to supporting up and coming designers in Canada by providing them with opportunities for exposure and business development. Since the event’s introduction, The Art of Fashion has provided opportunities for emerging Canadian designers with over 20,000 attendees. The annual Design Competition and has benefited charities such as Theresa Group, A Child’s Voice Foundation, Sunshine Dreams for Kids and Rethink Breast Cancer. Art of Fashion was awarded “Best Public Entertainment Event” in 2008.
ROB NEILLY
Rob Neilly has been involved in computer software training, support, instruction, presentation and teaching since the mid-1980”s. He has worked for companies and industries as diverse as not-for-profit, IT, financial, insurance and of course, education. In addition to the Academy of Design, Rob continues to teach for Seneca College. Rob is also a trained virtual assistant, and has his own virtual assistance practice. Rob is married and currently lives in Toronto with his wife Elizabeth.
ROSSIE KADIYSKA
Rossie Kadiyska has been with the Academy of Design since 2003. She has M.Sc. in Physics, MBA (Marketing&Finance) and Master in International Economic Law. She has brought to the school industry experience in project management&finance, marketing management, strategy consulting and business negotiation. Her diverse educational background and experience enables her to teach across various AOD departments”.
RICK ANDREW
The consummate business professional … a seasoned individual, a resource with a business acumen grounded in human resources but honed in tier 1 marketing & sales organizations. Rising successfully thru the sales ranks to National Sales Manager and thru marketing to Director of Marketing and on to the level of Managing Director, Currently he owns and runs his own Marketing & Sales consulting company with clients including Walkers Shortbread, Lazzaroni Biscuits, Guylian Chocolates and Advertising Standards Canada. Rick has taught Marketing, Psychology, Communication skills and Professional Selling at Ryerson for over 19 years as well at Academy of Design.
BABAR KHAN
Babar’s early interest in photography turned to obsession after a visit to New York City and seeing the height of the visual image. Khan then studied photography at Ryerson University, earning the Mamiya Scholarship amongst other awards during this tenure. Khan studied under the master American photographer Dave Heath (A Dialogue With Soltitude), also a close friend of seminal artist Robert Frank. Privately he also studied with the artist Aubie Golombek. Other influences include fashion photographers Helmut Newton, Paolo Roversi, Sarah Moon, Sam Haskins, and reportage photographers Larry Towell, Sebastiao Salgado, Bruce Davidson and Roger Mertin. In 2003, Babar Khan began photographing a black-and-white portfolio of personal work in Paris that was recognized with the prestigious Communication Arts award and published in the Photography Annual. These photographs pointed a new direction and depict a richly atmospheric Europe filled with cityscapes and stunning women, often caught alone in a reflective state of ennui. The images also explore romanticism, melancholy, beauty and vulnerability and are narrative, often resembling film stills from 1960s French New Wave cinema. Khan was recently awarded two International Photography Awards, mounted his first solo exhibition of work, and was profiled on FashionTelevision.
MELANIE BOZZO
MOSHE TELLE
