OUR ACADEMY
The Future Is Yours To Create
The Cut Design Academy is committed to inspiring, educating and creating true fashion and business professionals by promoting academic excellence through our rigorous programs and distinctive learner-centered environment.
Why The Cut
The Cut Design Academy is committed to inspiring, educating and creating true design and business professionals through:
Hands-on, real world education
Academic achievement
What guides us
The Cut Design Academy aspires to nurture the inherent talents of the students by developing an intellectually stimulating community and fostering a culture of skill-based and practical learning. Our environment enables students to maximize employment opportunities by providing them with career-oriented courses. We are building the future generation of designers through education and practical training in the real world.
Foundation
Founded by apparel and production expert Liza Day who has worked in fashion for more than 30 years, The Cut Design Academy is the only accredited fashion school in North America where you’ll enjoy one-on-one education in a professional workshop environment with some of the industry’s biggest names. It’s the perfect springboard if you want to study at one of the world’s top fashion colleges, turn your passion into a rewarding second career, or advance a hobby.
The Cut Leadership
The Cut’s Founder
Liza Day
Liza Day’s distinguished international career in the fashion industry has spanned over thirty years. She is renowned as an innovator, creator, and entrepreneur. Liza is a preeminent fashion consultant and business coach. One of her specialties is working with emerging designers and brands. Her clients have been featured in WWD, InStyle, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar, and she has coached winners on Project Runway. Liza has a visionary eye and a talent for mentorship. She has ushered many young designers to success, even leading a 13-year-old protegee’s fashion line to racks in Nordstrom department stores. FOX Business, Fast Company, Authority Magazine, the Vancouver Sun, and others have featured interviews with Liza about her business acumen, and she has written about her business insights for Forbes magazine.
In 1989 in Vancouver, Liza founded Arteenelle Designs Inc., and then Noccoma Manufacturing, which within four years of its inception grew to a 9000 sq. ft, factory that made clothes for labels such as London Fog, Umbro, and Marmot. Liza later moved to New York City and created a manufacturing firm that sold to major national retailers.
After 12 years in NYC, Liza returned to Vancouver and founded The Cut Design Academy. As an educator, Dean of The Cut Design Academy, and founder of The Cutting Room, a work-learn manufacturing studio that specializes in pattern development, sampling, and production for brands including Herschel, Park and Fifth, Lija, and Dish & Duer, Liza has established a unique environment to foster fashion industry talent. The Cut is bold, innovative, and current. The Academy boasts diverse, professional instructors, with classes focusing on fashion design and production skills, as well as marketing, sales, networking, and business skills. Students become creative, adaptable industry professionals with the tools to build their own brands and careers.
Justine Higgs
Director of Admissions
Justine has Over 20 years in Higher Education an familiar with PTIB and EQA policies. Skilled in Event Management, including Convocation and Large Scale Productions, Student Life Activities on Campus, Alumni Relations, Public Relations, Conference Coordination, Annual Planning, Budgeting, Goal Setting, Admissions, Admissions Counseling and Registration, Career Counseling and Placement, Student Services, External Relationship Building and Maintenance.
Divyadeep D.
V.P. Operations and Marketing
Divyadeep D. is the V.P. of Operations & Marketing at The Cut Design Academy. With a background in education, marketing, and business, she enjoys bringing ideas to life and finding thoughtful ways to help people and organizations grow. Outside of work, she has a love for learning, communication, and creative projects, and is always curious to explore something new.
Teresa Vaccaro
Strategic Education Advisor
Providing strategic guidance to The Cut Design Academy across growth, operations, student experience, and business development.
Cherry Zhang
Chief Financial Officer
Cherry Zhang is the Chief Financial Officer at The Cut Design Academy. With a strong background in finance and business operations, she brings a thoughtful and organized approach to managing the academy’s financial planning and day-to-day financial operations. She plays an important role in supporting The Cut’s continued growth and long-term goals.
Reena P.
Admissions Coordinator
Reena P. is the Admissions Coordinator at The Cut Design Academy. She supports students throughout the admissions process, helping them navigate their next steps and ensuring they have the information they need to begin their journey at The Cut. With a friendly and supportive approach, Reena helps make the admissions experience welcoming and straightforward.
