JCI Institute Inc.

Part 2 of 3 — The Vancouver Project

How it came together and the deeper meaning behind the initiative: bringing people together to connect around a love of artistry, expression, and creative economies.

Part 1 of 3 - The Vancouver Project

Community, belonging, and opportunity are three of our strongest values at JCI, and they came together beautifully with this event put on by fashion grad Juliana Francesca (founder of rendezvousocial) and her creative partner SID FAZE (founder of FAIRFAX IS DEAD)

3 designers competed in a runway competition with local judges and creative mentors determining the final winner. It was a night celebrating talent across fashion, hair, and makeup artistry.

Huge thank you to everyone who supported to make this vision a reality. Please tag yourself if you were involved 🖤

Video by Bowery Creative

Everyone who starts in a creative career wonders what’s possible for themselves. It’s normal to feel uncertain at the beginning! Tray, our Makeup Program Director, is an integral part of our community and valued mentor at JCI. She has built an incredible career as a SFX makeup artist and educator. In this video, she shares a few insights into how she got there—specifically how the program at JCI opened her eyes to different avenues in makeup and the importance of volunteering and saying yes to opportunities early on. Thanks for welcoming us into your studio space Tray Willis | Makeup Effects Artist + Educator 🖤

If Tray had a positive impact on you during your time at JCI, let us know! 👇

What does it take to get glass skin? Our clinical esthetics Program Director, Debra, walked us through the tech and protocol for one of the industry’s most sought-after treatments right now. Students in our Skin+ program train on this exact equipment (Bela MD+) and earn their confidence through repeated, hands-on practice.

8 questions with fashion alumni Love Berlin 🖤 following her Fashion Art Toronto debut, she and bestie Huệ - Julie came back to JCI to host a runway show for their Vancouver community. Excited to see where Berlin’s hunger, drive, and vision take her next.

We caught up with fashion alumni Huệ - Julie backstage at her recent runway show, held in The Frame, and put together in collaboration with fellow JCI grad Love Berlin and an amazing team of producers, artists, models, and volunteers.

Thanks for letting us into your world Huệ - Julie 🖤

Stay tuned for backstage questions with Love Berlin next!

Quick recap of our Industry Panel from last month. We’re so grateful Tray Willis | Makeup Effects Artist + Educator, Sara Byblow, and Alicia Chowen sat down with us to share their experience, wisdom, and knowledge about working in film and television. All of them had different entry points into the industry and unique skill sets, but there was so much overlap in their experiences on set. And most importantly, they radiated love for what they do! Thanks again to our panelists—we really admire your work, as well as the energy and mentorship you brought to the event.

We’ll be hosting more panels like this throughout the summer. They are free and open to anyone who loves to learn and wants to grow in the creative industries. Don’t miss out—seriously!

Quick recap of our Soft Glam Makeup Look & Learn from last week. Instructor Andrea led us through a full application, while speaking to the professional side of makeup artistry. What stood out? The versatility of being properly trained—how you can tap into different parts of the industry (freelance, editorial, bridal, film) based on your life stage, what’s calling to you, and what’s in demand.

PS—Andrea did this makeup on her daughter Julietta. We loved the final look and the special moments between them 🖤

Quick recap of our Fashion Illustration Look & Learn last week. Our Look & Learns invite you on campus to get a feel for the learning environment and programs you’re interested in (think of them like bite-sized classes). This group customized an outfit for Madonna, inspired by her new Confessions video drop 🪩🎤🩷

Let’s Walk and Talk with recent fashion graduate Nigel. He designed two pieces for his final collection—one of which was show on the runway in Toronto last month, where he placed second in a design competition put on by Fashion Education Council Canada and Sherwin Williams. Both his pieces reflect his original style as a designer (functional, utilitarian, beautiful, with some street).

Nigel is brimming with ideas 💡 we can’t wait to see where he takes his talent and hard work post-grad. Give him a follow

PS shoot days in The Frame are the most fun 🪩