Just about a week left to enter this year’s Designers of the Year Awards! There are nine categories in total—ranging from Interiors and Architecture to Industrial Design and Maker, which you can read all about right here.

For the category of Fashion and Jewellery Design, we’ve got a terrific panel of judges ready to assess your stellar work: learn more about them, below! And then make sure to get your entry in before 11:59 pm on Thursday, April 3.

Questions? Drop us a line anything at mail@westernliving.ca. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

Desiree Thomas

ba&sh

Desiree Thomas has established herself as a cultivator of emerging designer brands, having spent the majority of her 20-plus year career working with some of the most innovative names in fashion. She brings advanced expertise in building world class merchandising, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer programs to her North American role at ba&sh, collaborating with her counterparts in Europe and Asia. As CEO of North America, Desiree is charged with shepherding the growth and development of the brand in the US, Canada and Mexico, building on its established cachet in the accessible luxury market.

Before joining ba&sh, Desiree was brand president for 3.1 Phillip Lim, where she led global sales, marketing and other brand initiatives for the company, resulting in double-digit growth during her tenure. She was responsible for product development strategies, operational management, communications programs, wholesale, merchandising, marketing, sustainability initiatives, e-commerce and retail operations on 5 continents and more than 10 countries.

Previously, she was the EVP of Sales for 10Eleven, a well-established bi-coastal firm in the US that launches women’s lifestyle brands within the emerging designer space.  She spearheaded sales, distribution and merchandising and operations strategies for several brands including A.L.C., Pam and Gela, Saloni and Tanya Taylor. Under her leadership, annual turnover increased three-fold from a team of 25 employees.

Earlier in her career, Desiree held senior leadership and brand management roles at BCBGMaxAzria and Nicole Miller. She also held a seat on the Board of Directors for both the New York Academy of Sciences Change Fashion Challenge with Environmental Impact and Indego Africa.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in both Fashion Merchandising and Business from Drexel University and lives in New York City with her family.

Becki Chan

Becki Chan Jewellery

Becki Chan is a spatial and jewellery designer living and working in Vancouver. Becki trained as a sculptor and an architect, but she always knew that she wanted to do more than design physical space. She wanted to design and produce creative solutions across all mediums. For more than 10 years, Becki planned, strategized, designed and produced across spatial and brand environment projects, while working at award-winning design studios Cause+Affect, Evoke ID and Bruce Mau Design. 

A desire to design something that is at a much more intimate scale has led her to create wearable sculptures. Becki established her namesake jewellery line 7 years ago. She now specializes in working with individual clients to source gemstones and create bespoke jewellery.

Deeply devoted to the local art and culture community, Becki was a member of the Arts and Culture Policy Council at the City of Vancouver. She had a weekly column showcasing local creatives on VancouverIsAwesome for three years. As well, Becki curates and produces the long running culture event series, PechaKucha Night—a platform where people can share ideas, gather as a creative community and have a good time.

Lyndon Cormack

Herschel Supply

Lyndon Cormack, along with his brother Jamie, founded Herschel Supply in 2009 after identifying a gap in the market for stylish, functional and design-driven bags. Lyndon’s commitment to consistency and unwavering ability to establish long-term brand direction has led to Herschel Supply’s international success and recognition as a leader in the global accessories market.

His love for design spills into his everyday life, with interior design, architecture and fashion design being some of his most passionate hobbies—that is, when he’s not surfing or backcountry snowboarding.

Before founding Herschel Supply, Lyndon spent ten years with Vans working on developing the company’s Canadian business. He is the proud father of two daughters and resides between his homes in Deep Cove, North Vancouver, and Whistler, British Columbia.