This week’s profile features my favourite professor, Julie Savile. I love the way she carries herself, with her charm, grace, persona, and inspiring words.
As a part time professor, and Fashion Industry professional, she brings over 35 years of practical experience to the classroom. Julie has a degree in fashion design from Ryerson and extensive experience working in sourcing product overseas in over ten countries, as well as domestically. She worked as a buyer and Merchandise Manager for seven Canadian retailers and currently works as an independent sales agent representing a domestic leather belt manufacturer. She still works with a wide variety of retailers only now from the other side of the business – sales. She started her own business five years ago, creating high end leather accessories and wholesaling them across Canada. You can find these products on her website.
Julie loves this industry and couldn’t imagine doing anything else! She hopes to always bring enthusiasm and firsthand experience to her students in the classroom.
Where did you go to school?
I studied Fashion design at Ryerson.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
They are both the same – attention to detail. I want my work to be the best it can be and I can I take a lot of time with the things I create. Sometimes other people just want it done quickly. I was lucky to work for companies that valued quality and detail. You end up making a lot more work for yourself but the result is satisfying and that makes me happy.
What according to you is fashion?
Fashion is a huge clothing, accessory and footwear manufacturing and retail industry. It provides work for people all around the world on every economic level. On the inside it attracts a lot of interesting people who think and live outside of the box. I love that most about fashion, the people you get to work and evolve with. On the outside it’s a mix of truly creative work and knock offs. It’s a reflection of the Zeitgeist, what’s happening in our society at any given point.
How would you describe your personal style?
It’s a mix of the things I love. It’s never been about copying someone else for me. I’ve travelled extensively for my work and I fall in love with things. I don’t buy it if I don’t love it. I buy less and wear it more often and I take care of it. Often I love how something’s been made, the materials used or the handwork. I can tell someone cared. My main go tos are from natural elements: gorgeous leather pieces – bags, boots, statement pieces, hand knit sweaters, Irish linen, crisp white shirts, woolen wide leg trousers, menswear influences and elegant suits, flip-flops and straw hats.
Where do you find inspiration?
Art and nature, and textiles are my favorite places.
The book you think is worth reading?
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
Favorite Designer or Brand?
Right now it’s Carolina Herrera.
Place you like the most at Humber?
The lake, just a short walk to see the wild Trumpet Swans flocking together in the bay.
What are your favorite topics to teach and why?
I teach my favorite topics ☺, Product Knowledge, which is everything you need to know to create clothing or accessories in fashion and Trend Analysis and Product Development. What’s going to happen, what do we need to pay attention to and why will it affect us as an industry and the best part is how do you create something new and on trend?
What are you most curious about in life?
Enlightenment.
What’s your favorite movie?
Dangerous Beauty is my favorite movie. It’s based on the true story of a Venetian courtesan who claimed her power in a time when women had none. The costumes are incredible and the story shows us how far we’ve had to come to effect cultural change in customs that were accepted for hundreds of years.
Favorite song?
Hmmm lots of them, but Leonard Cohen is at the top of the list with Hallelujah.
What is the most interesting thing that has happened to you recently?
Yesterday I met with the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake. They want to carry my handmade leather cuffs in their gift shop this year. Pretty exciting for me and today a bald eagle flew over my car on the way to school – incredible site. 20 years ago you would never see one in this area. The use of chemicals had poisoned the fish and the eagles died or moved north. They’re back and that’s a great sign we are getting better with respecting our environment.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
I made homemade vegetarian curry for my daughter and her boyfriend for dinner tonight. In our family a homemade meal that we all share is always considered a gift, but I also brought the 3 dogs bones ☺.
