Siobhan Rollo
Students show off their learnings in an annual fashion show.
Every year, in a spectacle hosted in the centre court of the St.Laurent Shopping Centre, fashion-focused students look forward to the chance to debut their own original designs for the public to see, during a night full of fashion, extravagance and student passion.
The Écoles Catholique Centre-Est hosts its Focus X Design fashion show in the St.Laurent Mall every year. 2025 commemorated the 20th fashion show hosted by Écoles Catholique Centre-Est.
“I started in 2008, I’m the OG, I’m the only teacher who still runs it,” said fashion focus instructor Enrico Sartor-Séguin in reference to the event.
Sartor-Séguin is the instructor in charge of the fashion-focused students at his school. Students part of the Focus program at Écoles Catholique Centre-Est enter French language programs designed to nurture special interests, such as media, fashion and design, business, culinary and more.
These programs require students to go through an application process to be accepted.
The Focus X Design fashion show serves as part of the fashion students’ curriculum, with other aspects focusing on building up a fashion brand through the use of social media, learning the financial logistics of running a brand and other essential skills for those wanting to get into the business.
This year’s fashion show featured 12 designers, all of which were 11th and 12th graders.
“Four models, four full outfits, and five months to do it,” said Seguin explaining the fashion show requirements. “Some [students] didn’t know how to sew when I got them.”
This was the case for Shayima Decime, one of Sartor-Séguin’s students.
“It was all new to me,” said Decime.
Decime displayed a collection inspired by Y2K fashion, with accents of alternative style.
“I really wanted to showcase 2000s style, but I wanted it to be witchy and alternative,” she said. “My sketches were more anime [inspired], office siren aesthetic, but when I was designing I wanted to make something I liked, something comfortable.”
Decime expressed a desire to continue her passion for fashion.
“Right now I have two ideas: go to fashion school in Montreal… or I’m going to go be a criminal psychologist and keep a side hustle.”
For fellow student and model Reanna Adam, the process of designing for the school’s fashion show was an educational experience.
“My collection was inspired by silky dresses, old money, Marilyn Monroe,” she said. “My inspiration was sparked by a Pinterest board. As I worked, it evolved into something totally different.”
The event was supported by students from other FOCUS programs, and some students from other schools, such as Kathi Pelow who participated as a model.
“This is my first time modelling! This collection is inspired by stages of death,” said Pelow about the collection she wore. “This event has been really fun, we got free food, and we even got our hair and makeup done.”
Year after year Sartor-Séguin’s main goal is to ensure that his students can build a brand from their passion.
“I always focus on telling students ‘find your passion’… we make a mood board, and we find [their] style, then we focus on creating the brand.” He said.
Other essentials for Sartor-Séguin’s students include brand management on Instagram, learning clothing patterns, and learning how to size clothing on real bodies.
“I like teaching because I still get to design, I get to help my students. Sometimes I have to figure out how to make a dress a different way, with a smaller budget,” he said. “It keeps things fresh for me.”
Sartor-Séguin’s students are set up to continue their clothing brands after their FOCUS program comes to an end.
