Age: 21 | Height: 5’8″
Hometown: Vaughan, ON
Growing up in the beautiful village of Kleinberg, Ontario, Alexandra Katerina Mathews has been surrounded by inspiration to pursue her love of art and fashion.
Through the unrelenting support of her family and friends, she has learned to always “follow your dreams” and chase after what she’s wanted most in life, while always staying true to herself.
At a young age Alexandra had been taught how to sew and sketch designs. She would often watch her mother working on designs and crafting dance costumes, dreaming of the day she too could do the same.
Alexandra’s striving passion to learn and master her skills is reflected in her ever-improving work. Her thirst for professional knowledge was quenched while she was still in high school and began attending the Haute Couture School of Fashion, Arts and Design.
Now Alexandra is reaching the end of her educational career with RCC Institute of Technology College, in the Fashion Design program. Once Alexandra graduates she wishes to pursue a career, working diligently at her mothers costume design business with hopes to one day take the reigns for the next generation.
When Alexandra isn’t busy working at the family business or focusing on school, she enjoys volunteering to teach young girls with the passion for fashion how to sew. She has a strong bond with all of her students and in the future hopes to open her very own fashion and art school for all those with the desire to learn.
Alexandra has a heart full of dreams, and although she is only 20, she has worked hard to accomplish all she can of which she is truly proud. Alexandra’s motto in life is to just stay true to the human beings we are, continue to move forward and look past the obstacles. True happiness is not solely attained through achieving everything one desires. Its gained through knowing that you’ve always done your best, even if you fail.
Sponsored by: Effie Mathews Costume Designs LTD., Summit Forming LTD., Sutton Fitness, Natalie Ward Makeup, Marin Media Group, Rugcutterz Dance Studio, Rice Development LTD., Bannermans , Family and Friends.
Languages spoken fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language).
English
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
Something that has become a huge part of my life and have become passionate for is living a healthy lifestyle and engaging in all sorts of different physical activities. I love to work out daily and push myself further and further everyday. I believe that when you push yourself at anything in life it teaches you amazing morals and helps gain fantastic work ethics! Living a healthy life is something that I think everyone should really learn to implement into his or her lives. I know it’s hard but if you start slow and day-by-day change particular habits it really can make a difference. That’s what I did and now I could not picture living any other way.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
Art, Dance, Sewing
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Yoga
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
I would have to say that the one person other than my parents who has made an extremely positive influence on my life is my sister. She’s simply an incredible and selfless person. As a child I remember her always putting others before herself and continuously going that extra mile to achieve anything it is she wanted. From a young age I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps and I don’t think I would be who I am today if it wasn’t for her. She is such a loving wife, an amazing mother, and although there is a 15-year age gap between us I can say she truly is my best friend.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
One of my proudest moments unquestionably has to be when I got accepted into the Academy of Design. It was my first choice of school to attend and I had worked extremely hard through high school putting together my portfolio. The day I got my acceptance letter I honestly have never felt more proud of myself and the best part of it all was seeing the joy in my parents eyes. It was then that I knew that I could accomplish anything if I really put my heart into it.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
Something interesting about me is that according to my mother at the age of 5 I was able to sew at an industrial sewing machine. I wasn’t very good at sewing at the time but, I definitely had the urge to learn and it certainly helped me prepare for what was ahead.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to continue working on my fashion designing. I would definitely love to make myself well known in the design world and as hard as that is I know that if I put all my effort and love into it my dreams can come true. That goes for anything in life if you’re determined enough, anything can happen!
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My absolute dream job is to become a well-known Canadian fashion designer and make gowns for celebrities. One of my biggest goals in life would be to make a gown for a celebrity at a red carpet event. Although the fashion industry is far from glamorous behind the scenes, I think the most rewarding and exhilarating part of it all is seeing someone else wearing my designs.
Are you currently a student?
Yes
If yes, where?
The International Academy of design and technology –Toronto campus
Area of study:
Fashion Design
Are you currently employed?
Yes
If yes, what is your occupation?
I work at my family business, Effie Mathews Costume Designs. We manufacture dance costumes for dance studios all over the GTA and I mainly work on the more technical side of things like drafting patterns and designing outfits. It’s a job I have enjoyed doing for the past few months and as stressful as the job is I definitely have fun being there. I kind of strive off of staying busy so it’s quite perfect for me.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
As a child I grew up in Brampton, Ontario and the neighborhood we lived in was a small one so everyone kind of knew everyone. It was nice because it felt like we all looked out for each other. Growing up I was always the shy type so I only had a small group of friends and looking back now I wouldn’t have it any other way because till today I’m still friends with these girls. Although we don’t see each other as often as we would like to I can say that I truly have amazing friends. Something else that has shaped me into the person I am is the fact my mother started her costume business in our tiny basement. I remember always being down there and creating things that probably looked like a great huge mess but to me it was so great having everything I needed to be creative. Without my mother’s inspiration and all those resources I had pretty much in the palm of my hand I don’t know if I would be where I am today. I am so thankful to have had an amazing childhood. There isn’t one thing I would change about it and all I hope is that I will be able to make my children’s even better.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
The most interesting job I’ve had is my teaching job because while working with children I’ve actually learned so much from them. It’s incredible knowing that at the end of the day I’ve made a difference in someone else’s life and at the same time they’ve made a difference in mine. Influencing and inspiring children from a young age is so crucial because I believe it helps develop who they would like to be in the future quicker and that is why extra curricular activities like taking a simple sewing or art class can really help shape a person.
List any volunteering you have done.
I have volunteered to teach young girls how to sew. I really love it because I get to share my joy and passion with the children. This is one thing I happily plan on continuing to do in my life.
What is your most unusual talent?
I’m not sure if you could consider this a talent or even unusual for that matter but although I am a shy person I have a knack for making friends and getting a long with people easily.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
Traveling is one of my favourite things to do and I have been to a ton of places but the most amazing and life-changing place I have ever been was Paris. What I love most about the city is that its so romantic and just being there made me feel like literally nothing else in the world mattered. Everyday I dream about being there again and sitting in a coffee shop while admiring the architecture, the people, and all my surroundings. One thing that I will never forget is the ‘love lock bridge’ its this bridge that surrounds the Notre dame cathedral and lovers have been known to travel great lengths to attach a pad lock to the fence of this bridge with their names on it and then throw the key away into the water. The only way their love could be broken is by unlocking the lock. Which is near impossible to do. I am a complete lush for this kind of stuff so it definitely was inspiring and I hope to go back one day to attach my own lock.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In 10 years time I hope to be doing what I love most which is pursuing my love for fashion and hopefully working as a professional fashion designer as well as taking over the family business. I also hope I to open my own art and fashion school for young girls because ever since I’ve been teaching children how to sew I realized that it truly is something I am passionate about and would like to encourage it into other people’s lives.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I believe that in life if we stay true to ourselves the further in life we can go. Sometimes life finds a way to bring you down but the only thing to do is pick yourself up and keep going. My motto in life will forever be the same ‘True happiness is not solely attained through achieving everything one desires. It’s gained through knowing that you’ve always done your best, even if you fail’. When things aren’t going exactly how I would like them to be I remember that and everything somehow feels better.
