Hollie Phipps

Executive Board member

Creativity has always been at the core of who I am. As a child, I loved dressing up my dolls and making crafts, and by high school, I was already designing my own clothing. I would take items, rip them apart, patch them up, and transform them into unique pieces that stood out from everything my peers wore.

Despite my passion for art and fashion, after high school, I pursued a career in law, influenced by the idea that the creative industries weren’t financially sustainable. I envisioned a life of success, marrying a lawyer, living fabulously in downtown Toronto, and dressing impeccably.

However, after eight years of practicing law, I realized something was missing. Law left no room for creativity, and my heart was urging me to make a change.
Ten years ago, I decided to follow my dreams, starting with photography. I left my legal career and hired a tutor to master the technical aspects of photography and post-production software. I worked professionally in the industry for a year until I unexpectedly transitioned into producing. I landed a full-time position as a Creative Producer at an advertising agency, where I discovered a role that blended the organizational skills I developed in law with the creative instincts I nurtured in photography and throughout my life. This experience taught me invaluable lessons and gave me a deeper appreciation for collaboration and innovation.

A few years ago, a good friend who works as a costume designer invited me to assist on set for a History Channel documentary called Sitting Bull. The experience was exhilarating, and I immediately knew I had found the creative outlet I’d been searching for. Film and costuming captured my imagination in a way no other career ever had. That moment marked a turning point—I decided to fully commit to this newfound passion.

Since then, I have transitioned from producing to costuming, dedicating myself to learning everything I can to prepare for a fulfilling career in film and television. Being on the board of CAFTCAD will represent the next step in achieving my dream of building a meaningful and creative career in costumes for film and television, and I couldn’t be more excited about the journey ahead.