Fashion strategist speaks to Oshawa high school students about her career journey

A former student at G.L. Roberts CVI in Oshawa returned to her high school Tuesday to talk about her decision to switch careers as an adult.

Since graduating two decades ago, Klaudia Zinaty-Capalbo has been a math teacher, worked for NBA Canada, even ventured into broadcasting — but it all led to her transition to fashion.

She calls it “From Fractions to Fashion.” On Tuesday, Capalbo shared her story to a class of fashion students.

Her message — if they are passionate about fashion, pursue it because there are so many more opportunities out there, more so than when she was in high school.

“In my Grade 12 sewing class, everyone was creating skirts and pants and shorts and I created a double-breasted blazer with buttons and lapels. I went all out. So even back then, I loved fashion. It was something I was completely interested in and really had my heart and soul into it,” said Zinaty-Capalbo, fashion and media strategist.

The students found Capalbo’s visit to be inspiring.

“That just makes me feel, that even if I go here and it feels like I’m in a little box, that I can go out and do great things just like her,” said Alesia Greaves, a Grade 10 Student at G.L. Roberts.

“Sometimes life goals that you want, you need to take one step at a time and go for it,” said Shania Jn Baptiste, a Grade 12 Student.

This was Capalbo’s first time back at her old high school to speak with students. The Humber College fashion teacher hopes she can make this part of her annual journey.