Ana’s fashion journey began at LCI Bogotá in 2006, where she earned a Diploma in Fashion Design. From there, she moved to Milan—known as the “Cradle of Fashion”—where she earned a master’s degree and worked behind the scenes with top brands like Dolce & Gabbana and John Galliano, gaining industry insights most people never see. Ana’s career took her from Milan’s high-fashion scene to New York, where she studied makeup and photography, then to London for Fashion Styling. Each experience gave her new skills and perspectives.
If there’s a takeaway here, it’s this: Trust in the power of connection, explore, and immerse yourself in every new culture and industry you encounter.
Ana’s international journey wasn’t just about academics. She also volunteered as a guest lecturer and conference speaker wherever she travelled. For Ana, global opportunities weren’t just something to seek out—they were something to live. And, whenever she was home visiting family in Colombia, she would go back to her lighthouse, LCI Bogotá, to give lectures and consultations.
Despite Ana’s accomplishments, she embraced a “start from zero” mentality when she moved to LaSalle College Vancouver to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Her secret? Staying grounded and open to new learning opportunities.
Throughout her global journey, Ana has had to adapt to new languages, cultures, and design methods. “Design thinking in English is different from design thinking in Spanish or Italian,” she says. But rather than letting that be a barrier, Ana sees it as part of the process. Her advice to international students: Don’t worry about language. You’ll adapt, and people are patient. Whether it’s starting over in a new country or navigating cultural differences, it’s all about embracing change and growing with the experience. If there’s a takeaway here, it’s this: Trust in the power of connection, explore, and immerse yourself in every new culture and industry you encounter.
Be patient with your work and build your personal brand
Once in Canada, Ana didn’t land prestigious roles right away. At LaSalle College Vancouver, she worked as a tutor, in marketing, as an assistant in the Fashion Lab, and even interned counting garments. Before moving to Vancouver, she had worked at companies like Pronovias Bogotá, run her own styling company, and published a collection of her expertise, 21 Days of Style, in 2022. Every job—no matter how small—was part of her journey. Her takeaway: patience. With an ‘all roads lead to Rome (or Milan, or Vancouver)’ attitude, Ana says, “approach each step as an opportunity to learn and grow.”
Ana emphasizes that volunteering, networking, and positioning yourself in the industry are essential to building a strong personal brand. And don’t forget the power of social media: Using your socials as a personal portfolio allows you to showcase your work and build community wherever you are.
Own your process—but stay humble
“There is a place for ego in the process [of becoming a Designer],” Ana shares. “But trust the process. Own the process.” Ana’s humility has been her biggest strength throughout her career, allowing her to learn from each experience. As a student at LaSalle College Vancouver, Ana conducted a study on Fashion Upcycling, testing her theories through workshops. From the study, Ana created a final collection, which she presented at Vancouver Fashion Week 2023, and led a workshop at Fashion Revolution and Apparel Camp. Ana also developed a fashion competition, titled The Fashion Game: 1 Garment, 6 Hours, Zero Waste, to help LaSalle College Vancouver celebrate SDG Week and to showcase the school’s commitment to innovative and sustainable practices. Today, Ana continues to teach and inspire the next generation of designers, holding a Full-time Faculty position in the Fashion Design program at LaSalle College Vancouver.
Ana’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, curiosity, and adaptability. From her roots in Colombia to her achievements on the global stage, she reminds us that starting over is never the end—it’s just the beginning of a new opportunity.
One final tip from Ana: “Be your best, even if it’s small. Build trust.”
Check out Ana’s work and follow her on Instagram: @dcarvalho.ana
