About The Cut Design Academy

The Cut Design Academy is a leading Canadian institution dedicated to nurturing creativity and providing hands-on, skill-based education across a variety of disciplines, including fashion design, interior design, makeup artistry, and graphic design. Founded by Liza D., The Cut offers both full-time and part-time programs designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of fashion and design professionals. With small class sizes, expert tutors, and a distinctive learner-centered environment, the Academy fosters academic excellence through real-world learning and mentorship opportunities. Conveniently located and offering flexible scheduling, including weekend classes, The Cut Design Academy provides students with valuable networking opportunities, ensuring they graduate with the skills and connections needed to succeed in the competitive design industry.

1. JON GRIERSON, for FIELDSTOCK X SCROUNGE

Graduating with a Fashion Design diploma from Cut Design Academy, Jon Grierson crafts modern, functional garments using soil-to-soil fabrics, thoughtful details, and locally recovered materials. A geographer and outerwear enthusiast, he frames clothing design within the realities of global warming, aiming for versatile pieces that meet increasingly volatile weather. His work speaks to those who care about the planet and the urgent need for adaptation. With PFACs being phased out, microplastics polluting waterways, and mounting pressure to abandon fossil fuels, circular design has never been more critical. Grierson’s focus now: mastering the technical and sustainable nuances of clothing for a future that’s not just possible—but necessary.

2. CINDY KELLEY SUNSHINE, for CYN

Cindy Kelley Sunshine, the visionary designer behind Cyn the Label, introduces her bold new collection Gangstress—a powerful tribute to feminine empowerment. Rooted in her Dakota-Irish identity, Cindy fuses cultural strength with unapologetic style, calling women to rise, take up space, and prepare to fight for their rightful place in the world. Gangstress is not just fashion—it’s a movement, a reminder that grace and grit can coexist, and that it’s time for women to lead with power, pride, and purpose.

3. ZENAIDA RODRIGUEZ, for ZODRI

Zodri is an emerging eveningwear label —where timeless elegance meets modern allure. Each piece is a study in precision: sculpted silhouettes, impeccable fit, and details that whisper sophistication while commanding attention. Zodri doesn’t simply dress you for the night—it dresses you for the moment, ensuring every entrance feels unforgettable.

At the helm is Zenaida Rodriguez, the visionary shaping Zodri’s identity. Currently refining her craft at The Cut Design Academy, Rodriguez brings a fresh perspective to classic glamour. Her philosophy? Power lies in confidence, and confidence begins with what you wear. For her, every design is more than clothing—it’s a celebration of femininity, presence, and unapologetic individuality.

4. SOLANGE MACKENZIE SELLIS, for SOLANGE

Solange’s earliest fashion memory is Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding montage—the moment Vivienne Westwood’s iconic cloud gown appeared on screen. Mesmerized by the interplay of softness and structure, she discovered the transformative power of fabric. Dress-up quickly became her favorite game, with her little sisters serving as models for her imaginative creations.

As life grew busier, fashion remained Solange’s constant—a language through which she channels her insatiable need for self-expression. While her designs often spring from a deeply personal perspective, her greatest joy lies in connection: creating chic compression wear for a friend with chronic pain, conveying the urgency of the climate crisis through her work, or handcrafting a bespoke gown for her sister’s graduation. For Solange, no price compares to the feeling of making someone feel understood.

Her designs go beyond storytelling—they listen. Each piece is an exploration of identity, a dialogue between designer and wearer, and a testament to the belief that fashion is as much about empathy as it is about aesthetics.