The Cut Lab
Toronto
The Cut Design Academy
Vancouver
The Cut Lab Toronto The Cut Design Academy Vancouver
Small classes.
Real craft.
Every class caps at eight to twelve students so your instructor actually knows your work. Sewing machines, cutting tables, dress forms—all in the studio. Bring a notebook or your inspiration piece.
See all classes
Sewing Level 1, 2 and 3
Meet your machine. Build garments from raw fabric to finished hem - no experience needed.
02 - THE STUDIO
A Room Built for making
Based in Toronto, with natural light inside the studio. Industrial machines, wide cutting tables, a full library of patterns and reference books, and enough plants to keep the mood right.
✦ 12 Juki industrials
✦ Dress forms, every size
✦ Fabric swatches and library
✦ Coverstitch & Serger
✦ Industrial-Grade Instructors
✦ Espresso, always
03 - WHO’S TEACHING
Working designer. Target-driven teacher
Julie Berg
Head of Fashion Design & Creative Direction
Julie Berg brings 25 years of forward-thinking fashion design and energy-fuelled marketing talent to the table. A product development specialist for both retail and private labels, she’s crafted contemporary designer sportswear and accessories collections for small-sized independent retailers and big brands alike. Working since the early ’90s with Vancouver’s Neto Leather label, she’s been a creative resource for Canadian retailers Harry Rosen, Bod & Christensen, and Leone, and for US majors such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Boston Proper. Travelling across North America and Europe to industry trade shows, Julie has worked with fashion buyers and agencies to assist in marketing positioning and distribution, and with textile mills and tanneries for product development. As a business entrepreneur, she launched her own eco-sportswear label, Know Wear, whose tourism-targeted client list boasted Princess Cruise Lines, BC Ferries and Royal BC Museum, and reached targeted sales projections of $1M in the third year of operation. For the last six years, Julie has served as a full-time professor at prestigious Vancouver art colleges, instructing in both the design and marketing disciplines, ensuring excellent outcomes for the next generation of industry innovators.Specialties include her work with emerging designers and brands. Clients have enjoyed features in iconic fashion magazines such as WWD, InStyle, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar, and she has personally coached various participants and winners participating in Project Runway.
Nikki Renshaw
Program Director
Nikki began her design career in London, earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Central Saint Martins School of Art before moving to Vancouver and completing the Interior Design program at BCIT. With over a decade of experience teaching design, she has also built an extensive career in television, radio, and marketing. As the founder of her own design business, Nikki has developed a strong international presence, with over 118,000 Instagram followers. Her work has been featured in ELLE Canada, ELLE France, Cosmopolitan UK, Vancouver Magazine, Western Living, The Vancouver Sun, and numerous other publications. Currently, Nikki is the Program Director for Costume, Global Fashion Marketing, and Interior Design at The Cut, while continuing to run her design business and pursue a Master’s Degree at the Arts University Bournemouth.
Jessica Hsu
Head of Gerber & Technical Pattern Making
Jessica has worked in the fashion industry for almost three decades for brands such as Karma Athletics, Lotuswear Designs Ltd., and Design Group—just to name a few. Currently Jessica is a Senior Technical Pattern Lead at Arcteryx. In addition to Jessica's impressive career, she designs, creates and produces pet wear, uniforms, wedding gowns and other custom formal wear with impressive results. Jessica is an alumni of the prestigious Central Saint Martins School of Design.
Jessica is formally trained in British, Canadian and Japanese pattern drafting techniques. A graduate of LaSalle College, Van Nung University, Chin-Chin Institute of Fashion Design, and the Central Saint Martins University of Art short term fashion Design, Jessica has demonstrated a perpetual drive for excellence and constant growth. While Jessica continues to perfect her craft as a freelance designer, it is her dedication and technical expertise that have made her a highly valued employee, instructor and mentor.
Nargas Khabazha
Senior Pattern Making Instructor
Nargas is an accomplished fashion designer and technical instructor with over 40 years of experience in pattern making, draping, fitting, and textile development. After moving to Canada in 1984, she studied Fashion Design at LaSalle College in Montreal before continuing her education at KPU Polytechnic in Vancouver. In 1997, Nargas opened her first studio as a pattern maker and developed a specialization in designing for women of diverse sizes. In 2002, she launched her ready-to-wear collection for the sophisticated woman, which was sold across Canada, before opening her own studio on West 8th Avenue to create high-end garments. Throughout her career as an educator and mentor, Nargas has supported students in developing and showcasing their collections at Vancouver Fashion Week from 2008 to 2025. Her passion, technical expertise, and dedication to mentorship continue to inspire emerging fashion designers.
TWO SCHOOL, ONE SYSTEM
Also studying in Vancouver?
The Cut Lab is the Toronto branch of the The Cut Fashion Academy. Our Vancouver studio runs full-time programs and its own part-time roster.
WINTER 2026 · TORONTO
Enrollment is open
Class is filling quickly. Reserve your seat now.
or email info@thecutlab.com