Glenn Tojoy: Fashioning a New Career on Savile Row
Mon, 4 November, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Tojoy is studying at the prestigious Savile Row Academy
where he is learning the art of bespoke tailoring. “The courses are designed to
prepare us to become ready-to-work tailors,” he said. “We learn practical
handcraft skills and other core training. The curriculum prepares us to work in
cutting and tailoring rooms anywhere in the world and gives us the foundation
we need to open our own business.”
Tojoy emigrated from the Philippines to San Mateo County 15
years ago. He enrolled at Cañada in 2010 with an interest in fashion design. “I
chose Cañada because it offers a whole range of classes that are similar to the
highly-marketed fashion institutes around the nation,” Tojoy said. “The
difference is, Cañada is more affordable and the instructors are very
experienced.”
Tojoy said Professor Ronda Chaney and the instructors and
staff in Cañada’s Fashion Department understood and embraced his skill and
creativity. He said they worked with him to improve his craftsmanship. “The
improvement was dramatic,” he said. “I couldn’t have imagined how much I would
learn and improve at Cañada.”
Chaney said the suits Tojoy made in tailoring classes were
professionally constructed with an excellent fit. “He understood that such
skills required many lab hours of making patterns and learning the steps to
tailor the garment,” she said. “Glenn received several certificates in Cañada’s
Fashion Department and was a delightful student.”
Cañada prepared Tojoy to work on Savile Row. “Expectations
were high at Cañada. They taught us about what we should expect in a career in
the fashion industry. It was a very hands-on experience.”
In 2012, Tojoy visited London to look at several training
opportunities. Instructors at the Savile Row Academy were so impressed by his
work at Cañada that they hand-selected him for their training program. “This is
an excellent opportunity because I want to start my own business at some
point,” Tojoy said.
Tojoy said Cañada College is an excellent place to begin a
career in fashion. “The entire school is supportive. From the academic
counselors, deans, employees in financial aid and even the janitors were a
great support system. They want you to succeed.” While the support is there,
Tojoy said students need to be focused on their work. “It’s not easy. They will
push you but it only makes you better.”
Posted in: Student Experience