First, imagine pulling off your first fashion school runway show in just 17 days. Now, imagine that the runway will be Vancouver Fashion Week, North America’s second-largest fashion show.
Leading up to VFW’s SS25 Opening Night, Fashion Department Career Director Mel Watts received an urgent call from VFW Founder Jamal Abdourahman. A designer had dropped out of the show, and Mel was his go-to for finding someone who could take on the challenge at the last minute.
Global Fashion Marketing student and entrepreneur Carol Botelho was that person. With the immense support of Blanche Macdonald’s Fashion Department, she brought her Dress Cozy collection, The Custom Luxe, to life under intense pressure and an incredibly tight timeline.
“Blanche Macdonald was always a dream for me. When I decided to study Fashion Marketing, I had a clear goal: to expand my horizons and build a strong network in the fashion world. And I can honestly say that’s exactly what I’ve been doing ever since I started!”
“We selected Carol because she already had the brand in progress and she is extremely dedicated in everything she does,” recalls Career Advisor Tais Rissi. “We were sure that she would be able to handle it under so much pressure and in so few days.”
Behind the excitement was an intense, nose-to-the-grindstone journey of dedication and teamwork. The Fashion School department supported Carol every step of the way as she navigated the daunting challenge of creating a full collection under tight deadlines.
“I wouldn’t have been there without Tais and Mel. They believed I could pull off a full collection and gave me the support I needed every step of the way.”
“From the moment Carol accepted the big challenge, we gave her all the support we could,” Tais continues. “Whether it was with the VFW team that Mel coordinated directly with Jamal. I worked with operational support such as volunteers (social media, graphic designer) and other contacts who were able to help before and during the show.”
“I wouldn’t have been there without Tais and Mel,” Carol shares. “They believed I could pull off a full collection in just 17 days (crazy, right?) and gave me the support I needed every step of the way.”
Carol’s roots, passion, and inspiration permeated every corner of the exuberant event. Blanche Macdonald Director of Admissions Jill Wyness describes Carol best as “a genuine force of nature as a woman, mother, spouse and entrepreneur.” Indeed, Carol’s incredible energy and vivacity propelled the show. Behind the scenes, she rallied her models and assistants with her infectious smile and tireless work ethic. All the hard work paid off, creating a joyful, immersive experience that left the crowd cheering.
As the founder and creative mind behind Dress Cozy, Carol had a good head start. Inspired by her experience of becoming a mother, Dress Cozy celebrates the multifaceted lives of modern women with an emphasis on comfortable, high-quality fabrics and construction and sustainable manufacturing practices.
“Blanche Macdonald was always a dream for me,” Carol says. “When I decided to study Global Fashion Marketing, I had a clear goal: to expand my horizons and build a strong network in the fashion world. And I can honestly say that’s exactly what I’ve been doing ever since I started!”
Carol took advantage of all the opportunities Blanche Fashion School had to offer. “I could spend hours reminiscing about all the incredible things I’ve experienced this year, but one thing is certain: Blanche Macdonald has been a key part of my journey, and I’ll forever be grateful for everything I’ve learned and the people I’ve met along the way. The experience has been incredible. There were so many memorable moments that it’s hard to list them all. I’ve made amazing friends, including teachers whom I deeply respect and who, in turn, have shown me the same respect. Studying under a fashion icon like Peggy Morrison has been an absolute privilege. And, of course, being part of Vancouver Fashion Week was surreal—an opportunity that only happened because Taís and Mel believed in my potential.”
The Custom Luxe collection shown at VFW was a vibrant homage to her father’s Rio de Janeiro roots, representing a day in Rio by capturing the energy of Brazilian culture.
“Blanche Macdonald has been a key part of my journey, and I’ll forever be grateful for everything I’ve learned and the people I’ve met along the way. The experience has been incredible.”
“My dad was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, and I wanted to honour his cultural roots through every look, the energy of the models, the music, and the video introduction. Life in Rio is beautiful! You wake up to the sun, go for a run, go to work, enjoy your lunch break on the beach, and by 5 p.m., the city is yours to explore; the fun never ends, it’s relaxed, and I wanted people to feel that vibe. I told my models to dance down the runway and feel the music, creating an atmosphere where everyone could smile and feel part of the experience and I believe I achieved that.”
The Brazilian community came out in full force to support Carol, adding to the joyful energy dancing down the runway. “Seeing Miss Peggy, Selena, my mentor Maya Bergeron and Tais in the front row cheering me on, and then receiving such warm feedback, was absolutely priceless.”
Tais agrees: “It was a unique experience to see the Brazilian community cheering for Carol—I will remember that emotion forever.”
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