Chang’s passion for fashion, giving, spreads across Montreal
By Wendy Singer
This fall, Montreal-area students have had the unique opportunity to learn about fashion, colour and creativity from Canadian fashion designer Simon Chang. He recently dropped by two classrooms with bags of fabric and loads of ideas, ready to contribute to projects that teachers have put much effort into preparing for their students.
As reported in Inspirations’ Fall 2020/Winter 2021 edition, the Simon Chang Foundation for Change, created in 2018, has partnered with Inspirations to help further Chang’s vision of positively impacting the lives of people in his community.
Chang’s first stop was teacher Tatiana Lednow’s woodworking class at John Grant High School (English Montreal School Board) in Côte Saint-Luc on October 7. Her project: sewing aprons and sleeves to wear while constructing and painting flower boxes in the wood shop.
Chang arrived with an apron for each student, sleeves cut from skinny jeans, and patches of fabric, trimmings and buttons to glam them up. To imagine the excitement in the room, think of a visit from Santa 10 weeks early! All fabric was generously donated by Damar Trading International, Jo-Eltex International Inc. and all buttons by Standard Button.
Chang demonstrated how to create a “colour story” as a base for any creation, encouraging students to let their imagination run free. “You can do anything you put your mind to; you just have to give it a try,” said Chang.
In an email Lednow wrote to Chang, she said, “After seeing all the fabric pieces presented, I understand how long and hard Mr. Chang worked putting the colour stories together. The skinny jeans are the best ideas for sleeves. They are tight enough and light enough to use without sewing anything!”
Simon Chang visits with students at John Grant High School.
From left to right: Shayla, Kara, Simon Chang, Edward, Corie, Zora and teacher Tatiana Lednow having fun choosing
fabrics to decorate their aprons with at John Grant High School on October 7.
On October 13, Chang was welcomed by the “Sew Good” class at Summit School’s Transitional Education and Career Center (TECC) campus in downtown Montreal. He arrived with a box of denim fabric to make tote bags, and once again with the same donated fabric and button samples to decorate the bags.
Sewing teacher Lisa Lefler was excited to see her students so engaged. “We were planning on making simple tote bags and were pretty happy about that. Mr. Chang’s ideas have completely elevated our project!” she said.
In describing the meeting with Chang as “awesome,” student Jahsun Carey said, “He’s a cool dude. He’s an inspiration, and I hope he comes to see us again,” he said.
Chang plans to visit more schools in the coming months. “The students inspire me with their creativity and ability to overcome barriers and find what they love to do,” he said. “Bringing everyone together, from our suppliers who donate the fabric to the schools, which welcome us in to meet the students who open their hearts and minds, is what my Foundation is all about. We are all learning and helping one another.”
Student Jahsun Carey talks fashion with Simon Chang at Summit School on October 13.
Sensory cat brings smiles to Eldercare residents and staff
When staff at the Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre in Montreal placed a sensory-friendly, life-sized mechanical cat that is soft, purrs, feels warm and responds to touch on resident Svetlana’s lap, they were amazed at what transpired.
Svetlana is almost blind and has dementia. She was alone and isolated as she speaks Russian and only a little French. “When our volunteer visited her and put a mechanical cat on her lap she started laughing, crying and talking. With the help of Google Translate, we understood that she had had a cat and it reminded her of her past,” said Josie Di Benedetto, clinical supervisor for the centre’s Recreation Department. “I put in a request to get Svetlana a cat of her own, and it is now a part of her care plan. We find Svetlana to be more alert, more verbal. There’s life to her now. It’s beautiful to see.”
This gift was made possible through the Simon Chang Foundation for Change that funds the Moment in Time Program run by the centre. The program seeks to grant the wishes of residents of both the Eldercare and the Donald Berman Maimonides Geriatric centres.
“Svetlana is a young resident, only in her 60s. The staff is so committed to improving her quality of life as we anticipate she will be with us for many years. We are so grateful to Simon for funding the Moment in Time program. Most of our residents’ wishes are so simple, and Simon is making them come true,” said Karen Flam, director of the Eldercare and Maimonides foundations.
Eldercare resident Svetlana enjoying time with her mechanical cat.
Photo: Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre.
