Cascata Blu

 

About Cheryl Gushu

Knowing her calling was to design from an early age, Cheryl Gushue made her first bikini at age 12 on her Malibu Barbie.

She was educated in fashion design in Toronto, Canada, and designed a junior line straight out of college working with stretch fabrics creating sexy clubwear that was sold at trendy Toronto retailer Urban Behavior.

Her career took another creative turn when she got into the field of beauty becoming a North American multi-award winning makeup artist. From her years of experience and reputation she now teaches makeup classes at beauty trade shows internationally, is a creative director for many hair industry photo shoots, has styled international shows in Mexico and Berlin, takes her beauty team to do makeup for the annual Goldwell show that travels to different countries every year, has been a stylist and on camera makeup artist for a makeover TV show, a media spokesperson for L’Oreal Paris at Toronto Fashion Week which she was a team artist for many years, is a beauty and fashion expert writing many articles and interviews as well as endorsing products for media.

The swimwear started as a hobby because of Cheryl’s love of swimwear and the beach. The hobby turned into doing fashion shows. The fashion shows kept getting bigger and created a buzz. The buzz turned into requests to make custom bikinis for friends. The shows became more frequent which in turn got national coverage on Fashion Television three times. Stylists started borrowing her pieces in various editorials. She became a finalist in the Toronto Fashion Incubator and Elle magazine’s New Labels competition.

Now with the investment of her new partner Joan Kelley, Cheryl is moving full force ahead creating a new brand called Cascata Blu.

An interview with Cheryl
Where were you born?
Downtown Toronto, St. Michael's Hospital (born a downtown girl!)

Did you go to college or university? If yes, which one and what did you study?
Seneca College for fashion design

Have you worked in the fashion industry before joining the Resident program? If yes, where? What did you do?
Designer/patternmaker for Jezebel and La Rapp; small Toronto club-style labels, stylist for many years in the industry, makeup artis for 18 years.

What's your favourite part of developing your line or business and why?
Seeing the entire collection starting to come together. You get to see your concept and ideas come into fruition.

Who’s your favourite international designer and why?
I have to give you two:
1. Roberto Cavalli for his gorgeous prints and how he will always make a woman look sexy.
2. Rick Owens for his futuristic, ultra cool style. He's Paris meets LA which is my style too because both cities have my heart.

What do you never leave home without?
My phone

Favourite vacation hot spot?
Kamalame Cay, Andros, Nassau: Gorgeous sand, water, beautiful large beach houses, a chef from Paris, high-end exclusive and the owners know how to run a hotel

Favourite movie?
Angel by Luc Besson: Cinematic, great story, cool & chic

Favourite hobby?
Net surfing for inspiration

Which do you prefer: Twitter or Facebook?
Both. Search for Cascata Blu

Advice for fashion industry wannabees?
Create a brand with your style and stay true to it.

About Cascata Blu

Cascata Blu is a contemporary swimwear label designed by Cheryl Gushue. The line, which is targeted to women 25 - 55, can be found in the Kamalame Cay Boutique Hotel, Andros Island, Bahamas and online at www.cascatablu.com. Bikinis retail for approximately $160.

Head office info
285 Manitoba Drive., Studio 7
Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
Tel 416.825.1875
Fax 416.971.6717

Shipping address
68 Broadview Avenue
Unit 223
Toronto, ON M4M 2E

www.cascatablu.com

Why did you decide to locate your business at TFI? What do you hope to achieve?
TFI is the best way to start a new fashion business because of all the mentoring and amazing studio facilities. I'm looking for advice on how to run my company most efficiently.

Credits for image shot (below):
Photographer: Christopher Wadsworth
Model: Maria from Ford
Hair,makeup,styling: Cheryl Gushue