Cornelia Iliescu has been working with fabrics all her life. Iliescu was 16 when she started designing her first dress. Several years later, she moved to Canada from Romania and took studies in fashion design. After graduating, she landed a position as an assistant designer. Today she works as the senior fashion designer for X:S Clothing.

Stephen Sardella saw an opportunity and made the move from cosmetic counter sales to freelance makeup artist. In between his move, he worked as a makeup co-ordinator and as an account executive for a cosmetic company, focusing on training and international sales. In his new career venture, Sardella likes the fact every day brings new projects. He’s an avid collector of music.

Spyros Chalkiocis is a music student at York University. Undecided in his academic career when he entered university, Chalkiocis, now in his third year, turned to what naturally appealed to him most. His career aspiration includes rock stardom. To cover those tuition costs, he works part time in the hospitality industry. He also enjoys playing drums with his band, Neverest. (neverestmusic.com)

Deena Elieff gets people looking their best. A former public relations director in the fashion industry for 15 years, Elieff was bitten by the creative bug and switched gears. Today she works as a professional make-up artist. Self-taught and industry trained, she works with private clients, major cosmetic companies and runway fashion galas.

 
Kulsum Merchant likes to get people reading. After working several years as a copywriter for an advertising firm in her native India, Merchant made the move to Canada, where today she’s in her dream job as a publicist for the Literary Press Group of Canada. A communications degree from Concordia plus a post-graduate degree in English studies at the University of Toronto put her on the career path she wanted. When she’s not spreading the word for publishers, she’s writing her own novel ideas. 

Kate May was previously studying film when she decided hairstyling was more her calling. After soliciting advice from a friend in the business, she made her move and now works at Calia Hair Salon on Yonge Street, (www.caliahair.com). Giving her clients the latest in cutting-edge styles is
what May enjoys most about her job. A trip to Japan is in the works this coming summer.

 
Martha Bucci took the advice from her university professor and ventured into the world of book publishing. She’s now in her 11th year in the binding industry. Today she marks a new chapter as sales and marketing manager for the Literary Press Group of Canada. For Bucci, connecting with Canada’s best authors and poets while surrounded by a dedicated staff makes for a job well done. When she’s not flipping pages, her fingers do the walking in a good game of poker. 

Shawn Smandych has travelled the world working as a freelance hair and make-up stylist. His cutting-edge career started in his hometown of Calgary. After working in Sweden and Australia, he ventured back to Canada where he now runs his own hair and make-up studio (shawnlaven@hotmail.com).  His career has spanned 20 years and includes years of teaching the art of hairstyling. 

Kayleigh Rosien gets the word out as a sales representative for the Literary Press Group of Canada. While she comes to her new company with previous experience in book sales, it is her love for books that led her to earn a post-graduate degree in publishing from Humber College. For Rosien, bringing independent publishers and authors to the literary forefront is the best part of the job.  In between reading, she spends her free time with friends and visiting the shops in the Annex.
 

Meg de Bassecourt crosses scissors and combs as a professional hairstylist at Calia Hair Salon (www.caliahair.com). She was hooked into the coiffure industry during a high school co-op program. But it was cutting friend’s hair that convinced her it was the right career move for her. For de Bassecourt, giving women that extra touch of beauty is job satisfaction. Travelling and photography fills up her days off.

Farshad Fahim has been store manager for Mr. Sub on Yonge Street for three years. He manages the day-to-day operations and gets menus prepared. But it’s that extra smile and hello that he adds to customer’s food orders to help make their day that he enjoys. Going dancing with friends, quiet dinners and a relaxing night of television is what keeps him smiling.  

Michael Zampini divides his time between sales and studies. He works part time as a sales associate at the Puma store in Yorkville. Now, in his second year with the company, Zampini likes the fact that having a job with flexible hours also allows him to study full time in Construction Engineering at George Brown College. Weekend road trips puts him on the map with friends.

Photo by Enza Supermodel

Name: Patrick Fredericks

Age: 42  

Occupation: Registered Nurse/Professor/Business Owner

Location: Yonge & Wellesley Streets

Patrick Fredericks works as a registered nurse in the public health-care field. His 20 years of patient-care experience plus a nursing degree from Ryerson University also garnered him a teaching position at Humber College as a professor specializing in Nephrology theory and clinical care. However, it was working at a friend’s spa that prompted Fredericks to return to school and eventually open his own spa business, Thrive Spa (www.thrivespa.net), in Cabbagetown. He loves his workouts, yoga and cooking.

Enza Supermodel

enza.supermodel@metronews.ca