Full Name: Oriana Gallina
Age 17, grade 12
Trade: Fashion Technology
Skills Yukon Affiliation: 2023 Territorial Skills Competition Gold Medalist, 2023 National Skills Competition Competitor
School: F.H. Collins, FADS program at PCSS
Can you tell us a bit about your experience with the trade so far?
My experience with Fashion Technology has been amazing! I was in grade 11 when I heard about an amazing program, through a friend, called FADS [Fashion, Arts and Design School]. I signed up right away and I got in and I loved it! I loved it so much I came back for more in grade 12. As well as FADS, I always have lots of side projects on the go. I love just playing around in different fields of fashion; for example, I’m currently in the process of helping out with the costumes for a Beauty and the Beast play. Ever since I was little, I also loved to dress up my three younger sisters using things from around our house, such as tablecloths and scraps from my mom’s fabric collection, to create mini runway shows for my friends and family.
Have you always been interested in sewing and fashion design?
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for fashion, ever since I was a kid. I come from a family full of expressive people. Growing up, I always looked up to them and was raised in the world knowing that expressing myself was most important. Some people like to express themselves through art or music, but I chose fashion … or I guess you could say fashion chose me.
What made you decide to compete in Territorials?
I decided to compete in the territorial competition because I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to grow my knowledge and competence in the subject. I saw an opening spot to be the first competitor in the territorial Fashion Technology sector, and I knew it would be valuable to growing connections and experience within the fashion community.
Was there anything that you felt most nervous about leading up to the competition?
I felt fairly nervous about the idea of spectators.
How are you feeling about competing at a national level in May?
I’m feeling fairly nervous but, for the most part, very excited. I’m excited to be able to represent the Yukon on a national level for Fashion Technology and be able to connect with other fashion students. I am, however, very nervous about the [number] of people that will be present. Coming from a smaller town, I don’t think I’m fully prepared for the [number of] people that will be attending, viewing and helping out with this event.
At the National Skills Competition, your task will be creating a denim jacket. Have you ever made one before? If so, what was the hardest part?
Before I competed in the Territorials competition I had never made a jacket before, let alone a denim one. It was a completely new field of materials that I had never worked with before. Although, once I was entered into the territorial competition, I got straight to work, practising, and have [since] then made three denim jackets, and I plan to make many more before my national competition.
Do you have any plans to pursue this as a career when you’re done with secondary school? If so, do you have a school and city in mind?
I do! My plans for after secondary school are already in motion. I’ve applied and been accepted into Capilano University for a diploma in Costuming for Stage and Screen. I see myself pursuing a career in costume design, creating and designing garments for movies and TV.
Is there something about your trade that you think not many people know?
I think the one thing I would want people to know more about fashion technology would be the amount of detail and precision required, especially at this level. Every single detail of the garment must be perfectly done so the piece can come together seamlessly.
Where do you see yourself in five years, careerwise?
In five-years’ time I will have graduated university with a diploma in costume design, and I hope to pursue more school in the world of fashion and continue to grow my fashion palette. That could include fashion marketing, fashion design or even more schooling in costume design.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start exploring sewing and designing their own garments?
The advice I would give to someone who wants to start their journey sewing and designing would be to just go for it! As long as you have a true passion and patience, then you’ll be able to create anything and everything. As well as questions! It may seem difficult at first, but questions are the best way to learn and understand in the field of fashion, as it’s such a hands-on trade … Questions and patience are crucial to success.
If you had to pick a favourite part of sewing and fashion design, what would it be?
My favourite part of sewing and fashion [design] would have to be the beginning of any piece—getting to collect all your ideas and thoughts into a plan and into a garment.
How much of your wardrobe is clothes that you’ve made yourself now?
My wardrobe doesn’t actually include a lot of clothes that I’ve made because a lot of the pieces that I make are kind of impractical, in terms of everyday wear, such as the tie dress. But that’s not to say that I dont have clothes that I’ve made in my closet; I have many different T-shirts with hand-drawn designs on them, as well as my collection from last year in FADS.
What is your favourite project that you have created with your trade?
My favourite project I’ve ever created has to be my tie dress. It was a way to use a material that I had never worked with. It was an experimental piece that helped to bring my love of ties, dresses and the Yukon into one uniform piece.
How did you come up with the idea for making your dress, for the awards ceremony, completely out of extra neckties?
It was an interesting process; actually, the ties with the Yukon flag were originally donated to the FADS program by Skills Yukon, from a past event that they had hosted. As for inspiration, I had seen a fellow designer collect thrift-store ties to create a puffy, layered princess-style dress out of at least a hundred ties. Unfortunately, I only had 65 ties to work with, so I came up with a much sleeker, simpler dress of ties.
