Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is thrilled to share the news of a $12 million gift from Shannon and Chip Wilson and lululemon athletica to build a new School of Design located at the Richmond campus. The gift is to be matched by the Province of British Columbia and KPU, creating a $36 million facility that will inspire innovation and leadership.

“We are enormously grateful to Shannon, Chip, lululemon and the Province for this investment,” said Dr. Alan Davis, KPU president and vice-chancellor. “This gift will be transformative for KPU and for B.C.’s design industries.”

The new school will offer innovative education in fashion, interior, graphic and product design, as well as an advanced research studio-laboratory where transformative leaders, design innovators and strategic technologists will emerge to lead design industries. A post-baccalaureate diploma in technical apparel design, launching in January 2014, will combine design, business and technology to develop a new generation of design thinkers. Highly specialized programs and research in technical apparel and textile design will bolster B.C.’s reputation as a world leader in creating equipment and clothing for athletic and outdoor pursuits.

“Our province is the perfect testing ground for technical apparel – you don’t have to go far to find inspiration,” said Shannon Wilson. “Our vision is for B.C. to become the global hub for athletic performance apparel and recreational products, and the first step is to provide a place to cultivate design talent. I am thrilled that KPU and the Province have partnered with Chip and I as well as lululemon to achieve this.”   Read more……