My First Fashion Business

Walk into a student's studio at the Art Institute of Toronto's booth ("My First Fashion Business") at The Clothing Show. The Fashion Marketing students created a booth to get experience managing a business and to make a difference in their community. These gals have a wicked selection and all of the proceeds from their booth go to The Corsage Project, a wonderful charity that provides underprivileged girls with dresses so they too can celebrate their high school milestones in style.

Ashley Benns and Jenny Garvey gave us a glimpse of their merchandise ranging from Colcci apparel to Ed Hardy Hats and the best deals on Lululemon bags around. Ashley describes the clothes as having "a vintage feel with a European twist." Jen adds in, "It's femininity with a punch." I want all of it. I'll have to leave my bank card at home so I can't take more cash out of the machines.

"Come out and support future fashion marketers with our first fashion business," Ashley says. "Our booth has the hippest trends and you get to support a great cause." This is merchandise that will help students survive the school year in style.

This group of students was lucky enough to get a hands-on experience managing a business. "The Art Institute is a modern school with flare," says Jenny. "It's not your average university experience. There's great faculty, resources and programs." Ashley believes this experience is providing the students "with a great stepping stone into the real world."

"It's a lot of hard work but when all is said and done," says Jenny. "We will look back and think about how great of an experience this was." Ashley agrees, "This experience has taught us to work as a team under pressure. We've learned about the importance of communicating and listening to everyone's ideas to make the project come to life."