Where is the glamour, the pizzaz?  Sadly lacking from both the clothes and the production I’m afraid.

Arc’teryx is an energetic and exceptionally innovative company, with over 500 employees. Our ongoing success stems from an uncompromising passion to continuously challenge, and radically improve, the status quo. At the foundation of our organization is a dynamic team of exceptionally talented, fun, and active people.

Our modern head office is located on Vancouver’s picturesque North Shore, near the Second Narrows Bridge. We promote a casual and fun work environment that supports and encourages work-life balance. We also have plenty of parking, a bike room, indoor staff bouldering gym, frequent summer BBQs and other events, as well as a great employee discount.

We are looking for a detail-oriented individual with knowledge of apparel construction and a background in manufacturing and quality assurance to join our team. As Regional Quality Control Supervisor, you will ensure Arcteryx brand integrity through global maintenance of product construction standards, best production practices, and quality standards across all product categories and manufacturing locations. This position requires frequent travel to Arc’teryx factories worldwide.

Ideally you will have:
• 5+ years experience in manufacturing and quality assurance
• Knowledge of apparel construction
• Knowledge of material and textile construction and properties
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Extreme attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Extensive knowledge of raw materials and technical construction
• Excellent organizational skills and flexibility
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Ability to travel around 50% of the time

Your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
• Working with Quality Assurance, Technical Services, and Production teams to ensure quality standards are maintained during the manufacture of finished goods in order to ensure integrity of the brand and that design intent is maintained throughout the production processes
• Ensuring quality standards are applied equally at all production facilities, and adequate corrective measure is implemented in case of noncompliance
• Working closely with ASO Quality Assurance teams and Factory Certified Auditors (FCA), and providing training and support for conducting audits at all production facilities
• Ensuring that the company standards as outlined in the quality control (assurance) manual are effectively implemented
• Supporting the maintenance and documentation of quality standards for finished goods and raw materials
• Participating in samples and pre-production review meetings
• Responding professionally and promptly to all external and internal communications
• Maintaining and keeping records of all machine calibration and quality control documents
• Preparing summaries of weekly and monthly quality control reports, and reviewing them with department manager

If this sounds like you, then please apply by attaching your resume and cover letter in PDF or Word format to hr@arcteryx.com. It is important to quote “1205-RQC-threads” in the subject line of your email.

Arc’teryx hires on the basis of merit and is committed to Employment Equity.

You can expect an email acknowledging the receipt of your submission within 5 days of your initial correspondence.

Thank you in advance for your interest in Arc’teryx.

I am now going to retire and have decided to sell my sewing studio.

I want to say thank you very much for everything you have done for the local apparel and fashion industry particularly for beginners and small companies, such as mine.

Regina Burk
- Nice to get the feedback as TG celebrates its 12th year of publication. Editor!

Vivienne Taylor, Trend Fashion Marketing & Forecasting
Sarah Murray of Fashion Capsule
Jun Ramos, founder of Vancouver Men’s Fashion Week
RozeMerie Cuevas designer of Jacqueline Conoir and JAC
Katherine Soucie designer of Sans Soucie

It was Vivienne who approached the ‘powers that be’ at Simon Fraser University, and their partners in the enterprise – BC Business Council and the Vancouver Board of Trade – to ensure that fashion was included in the conversation.
Problem was that attendees, and their supporters, already sing from the same hymn sheet, and commendable though the presentation was, it remains stymied in the same mire of lack of government interest and support.

Nevertheless, Putting BC on the Style Map presenter points remain sound, and well made.

A Vancouver Fashion Incubator remains a gleam in Vivienne’s eye, which also shone a spotlight on the glaring difference in the huge level of financial support the Quebec and Ontario fashion industry receive from government, unlike BC which receives none.

Sarah Murray alluded to the regrettable lack of industry representation following the closure of the Apparel BC, and Fashion High associations. “The rise of the local independent designer, following the federal decision to abolish taxes and tariffs to (53 of) the worlds least developed countries’ also means we now need different representation” she said.

Acknowledging the geographic limitations, West Coast designers face, Katherine Soucie, Sans Soucie was quick to identify the excellent eco-fashion practice of consuming only Canadian textile industry waste in her high fashion product.

“I’ve reinvented my business 3-times during its lifetime” said 25-year veteran RozeMerie Cuevas. “We had to; as a 7-time Matinée grant winner we received $250,000 during the life of that organization. When the government put a stop to cigarette advertising, and sponsorship – coming as it did on top of the increased flood of imports, coupled with import taxes of up to 20% on fabric, we had to do something. Local manufacturing has all but disappeared over the last few years, compounded by the retirement of ageing machinists, and home sewers. Those workers are not being replaced. That is why an incubator is crucial to nurture skills.

We also need to educate the public on the value of shopping locally. A public relations program featuring Main Street independent designers is just one way of strengthening the local economy.”

Jun felt tax breaks are imperative “if we are to keep Vancouver fashion a key element in the creative economy.” He is also a strong incubator establishment supporter.

Moderated by Deanna Devitt, Fashion Department Head, University of the Fraser Valley the community building presentation illustrated the steely resolve of these substantive, industry players determined to support and nurture the West Coast fashion community, despite the provincial government’s continuing cold shoulder.

Are you even listening Christy Clark?

BCreative 2012 was an inaugural conference/showcase at Simon Fraser University’s downtown campus. It brought together government, business, the creative sector, and researchers to stimulate thinking, policy, and action directed at developing a strategy and levering resources to further build the creative economy and to help British Columbia become a leader in the creative sector in the twenty-first century.

• May 16, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm
• May 30, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm
• June 13,from 2:00 – 3:00 pm (Eastern time).

Cost: $300 CAF members; $400 non-members.
Register deadline May 11

Information

When: 2 sessions: Saturday, May 26 OR Sunday, May 27, 10-4pm
Where: Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond Campus
Cost: $220 (includes HST)
Register on line at: kwantlen.ca/vionnet

In the 1930’s in Paris, France, Madeleine Vionnet revolutionized haute couture by using the
natural fluidity of diagonal woven fabric to conform to the body with only a few seams and darts.
She represented the epitome of a master “cutter” or pattern designer and pioneered the use of the bias
to achieve intricate designs beyond the slip-dress, becoming a geometrician or architect in fabric.
Vionnet’s concepts require that the garment be cut so that the garments float on the body,
settling with such balance and purity that no further modifications are required.
The cut flows around the body, streamlining the figure yet allowing the poetry of human movement.

For more information contact: peter.hearn@kwantlen.ca 604-599-2543