Fashion Arts and Business Alumni Pivots From Modeling to Award-Winning Entrepreneur

Since completing her education in the Fashion Arts & Business program at Humber College North Campus in 2021 Charlene McFarlane has transitioned her career in Marketing, Communications, and PR in Fashion and Events Management, during the pandemic, to create a new venture in education, producing master classes for Fashion & Beauty professionals and entrepreneurs.

She also joined Holt Renfrew where she independently manages over $100K in sales. In one year, she has increased sales by 11% and was recognized by Estee Lauder North America for a 153% increase in vendor sales- establishing a new sales standard.

Recently in June, she was recruited by Dr. Dori Tunstall - Dean of Material Arts & Design at OCAD U (the first Black dean of a faculty of design - worldwide), for its Designing For Luxury' panel discussion. Hosted by its RBC Centre For Excellence 'alongside Angela DeMontigny award-winning Cree/Métis designer & artist, and Janielle Mckoy style expert from Cityline and Todays Shopping Choice (the shopping channel).

Following OCAD U’s practice to open public talks and events with a land acknowledgment of the original owners and custodians of the land on which we stand and create, prior to and against colonization; students learned about designing and finding careers in the luxury sector, plus a sneak peek at Charlene's master class on luxury to be presented in the Fall semester.