The Young Professional Daily is an exclusive 30-Day series on Notable where we feature a different young Canadian professional every day for 30 days. They work in a variety of industries, some are employed while some do the employing, and they have various 5-year plans. Sound familiar? We want to share their story with you to offer a bird’s eye on what the colleagues you may not even know you had, are up to.
Making an international name in the Fashion Industry is a challenge. A challenge that few Canadian designers have yet to solve. The sizzling duo of Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, founders and designers of Canadian luxury ready-to-wear women’s line Greta Constantine and men’s line Ezra Constantine, have not only managed to get their name and designs out there to the savviest of fashionistas but their pieces are also being worn by some of the biggest names around. They have reached some of the highest commercial achievements in terms of Canadian fashion: being sold exclusively in Holt Renfrew and appearing on the cover of FASHION Magazine. Get to know Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong of Greta Constantine in today’s Young Professional Daily.
Notable: What is your Name?
Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong
Notable: What is the name of your business and what industry is it in?
We are designers of accessible luxury fashion labels, Greta Constantine and Ezra Constantine. w: http://www.gretaconstantine.com; b: http://www.gretaconstantine.blogspot.com; twitter: gretconstantine; facebook: Greta Constantine
Notable: Elevator Pitch (we just met on an elevator, we have 30 seconds together in the elevator, please describe your business):
K: Greta Constantine and Ezra Constantine are accessible luxury lifestyle brands based in Toronto. We pride ourselves on creating pieces for men and women who seek to challenge the fashion norms without coming across as contrived. Diverse, transformative pieces that form the uniform of the men and women of tomorrow.
Notable: Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
S: It was just something in our system that had to come out.
Notable: What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis?
S: We work in an incredibly forward looking, dynamic environment. You can never live in the present as fashion is always a season ahead.
Notable: What is the most challenging part of your business?
K: Being expected to be both designers and businessmen. The expectation of designers of small labels in fashion is extraordinary, unlike those placed on entrepreneurs in other creative professions. Part time accountant, part time designer should really be my business title.
Notable: Where do you see your business going in 5 years?
K: Bigger collections in more stores in more countries.
Notable: Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
S: Passion. With that, anything is possible.
Notable: What is your greatest asset as it relates to business?
K: We have a very symbiotic relationship. That’s the way it has to be if you want to form a successful design partnership.
Notable: What does success look like to you?
S: Seeing someone wear your collection.
Notable: What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
K: Our first cover for FASHION magazine. It was the sign that we were joining an elite group of influential designers.
Notable: Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
K: We’ve supported numerous during our time including: CANFAR, JDRF, ACT, Ovarian Cancer Canada, Sick Kids Hospital, and the list goes on. I think people have a commitment to their communities at large.
Notable: What is Notable to you?
S: Making a difference.