Maria Mastrangelo

Proficiencies & Responsible Tasks:

-Research and analyze trends

-Make trend boards

-Source new materials and hardware

-Determine colours and material for each collection

-Development of specification sheets / tech packs

-Follow up and constant communication between factories regarding corrections and final sample approval

-Assist in all areas of sampling with factories from first sketch idea (proto-types)

to final corrected sample and production samples

-Sketch and design new handbag styles using Illustrator/Photoshop

-Create tech packs and communicate with factories to ensure final product

-Receive prototype samples and send out final correction as necessary

-----------------------------------------------

Where do I begin?...

Well, firstly I would like to start off by introducing myself.

My name is Maria Mastrangelo and for as long as I can remember my greatest passion and interest lied in footwear. Right after having graduated high school I immediately enrolled myself into the Womanswear Fashion Design three year program at College level. The school named, College LaSalle, it allowed me to gain knowledge of the garment industry. Everything from first sketch to practical pattern making to cutting and sewing of actual materials in order to create final product piece. From there, once finished with college studies of Womanswear, I had taken the decision to extend my knowledge into menswear. This is when I decided to attend an intensive summer course in Milan at the fashion institute name Instituto Moda Burgo.

There I acquired how to make practical patterns for mens suits and shirts and also how to design and interpret current trends and moods. Afterwhich, I received a certificate of attendance. I must say that for me, fashion is much more then just a simple garment. It goes way beyond that. It is the feel, the look, the way you want to portray yourself. It is the inspiration I constantly feel everywhere. Around you and around me. Anything can be seen as a source of inspiration, it just depends the eyes that are looking at it.

Once I returned home from my travel to Milan, I immediately started an internship at high end bathing suit company named -Aqua Di Lara. After having completed my internship, I was then given the position of Assistant Designer for the brand. I worked directly with the creative director to develop and there, I was responsible for design. I had never designed nor studied bathing suits, but I was ready to take on anything that was thrown my way. Actually it's quite safe to say that this is how I live life.

I believe in everything I do, as you must if you want to go ahead in life and achieve your goals. My belief is that when you work hard and strive for nothing but the best, it will come your way eventually.

Needless to say, after having designed high end bathing suits, I was recruited by a Montreal based leather handbag company named -Christopher Kon. I have always loved leather therefore, I felt it was the right choice to explore yet another aspect of this industry. I have now been the designer for the company for over 4 years. Creating, designing and developing ideas and new concepts constantly.

I truly must say however, even though I have discovered and learned about these different areas of the fashion industry, my heart lies in footwear. There is no greater pleasure then having the knowledge and background to create footwear. A shoe is not just a shoe, or a simple item which covers the foot, but yet a piece of art which is a necessity in life.

Footwear is something that I will never give up in knowing more about, and something that I will forever be interested in creating, designing and bringing to life.