Meet Face of London: Carmina Young!

Carmina is originally from Mexico, but moved to Canada a little over a decade ago.  Once here, her goal was to pursue an education.  She completed English as a Second Language classes and then began a Fashion Design program at Fanshawe College.  She graduated from the program in 2009 and, since then, has started her own business doing custom design evening wear and business casual out of her home.  

Today she has a studio location where she continues to do custom design, but she also has a business bringing local manufacturing to London in partnership with Goodwill Industries.  There are businesses looking for people to manufacture quality garments and that is what she is contributing to London.  She hopes that through hers and other small business more jobs can be created for the people that need them in London.  

Carmina is also building a label, Carmina de Young, and hopes to be selling her clothing through her catalogs and in a few boutiques in the next year.  She has showcased her collections in Local, National and International platforms including Vancouver Fashion Week. She was also featured in Women's magazines, on local TV Channels, in Newspapers, and by the Province of Vancouver

When asked what advice Carmina would give other newcomers, she said "Myself, I came with big dreams.  At the beginning it was really really hard and you have to take any job you can take.  And look for ways to educate yourself.  Keep your dream and keep working on it. Nothing's impossible as long as you have that mindset. Its just constant work and perseverance that will take you to where you want"

Carmina is also a mother of two children, ages 10 and 13.  She loves living in London because it is like a small town but its still a city.  She likes that it is safe for her kids, has great parks, and cafes, and is diverse and multicultural.   She is thankful to the London community because she found so much help and she learned that Canadians are amazing.  She wants Londoners to know, "There are great people coming from other countries  who have good skills. but sometimes there is a language barrier.  So if you can be patient with us, it goes a long way."