By Valerie Siebert

If you’re anything like me in that, despite your love of beautiful clothes, your domestic goddess powers fail to extend into the realm of the needle and thread wielding variety, studio/workshop sew be it girl may still be able to help you in your fashion industry ambitions. Alongside a variety of sewing workshop classes, sew be it girl is offering a six week course in merchandising and styling starting at the end of the month.

The course provides in-depth experience and profile building for a myriad of future careers in the industry from styling to buying to designing. Even if you are a wizard at the sewing machine, this course is also structured to help you learn the fundamental ins and outs of presentation in merchandising your wares.

Taught by Canadian fashion industry power house and former owner of Boutique Le Trou (Vogue Magazine’s “Best Store” in Toronto) Marlene Shiff, the course will be far from lacking in the practical knowledge department. Shiff has successfully proven herself on every subject taught here from styling photo-shoots (she created them on Project Runway Canada) to international design (she developed handbags for Bob Mackie and jewellery for Robin Kay). Shiff also has a true passion for Canadian designers, having worked tirelessly in seeking, honing and encouraging new Canadian talent in the field throughout most of her career.

Practical exercises on the course include creating your own styling storyboard, constructing a photoshoot and telling a story through store-front design.

The course start dates are:
1) Tuesday January 19th, 5-7pm (6 weeks)
2) Saturday January 23rd, 11-1pm (6 weeks)

Cost : $180 + GST ($189)

To contact sew be it girl to register or for any more information call: 647.347.6353