Experience the magic of interior design from behind the scenes as host Suzanne Dimma, design editor for Wish Magazine, readies some already beautiful homes for a magazine spread. The Style Dept. is glossy and fresh with the look and feel of a “design magazine come to life.”
Join Suzanne each week as she works with her stylist assistant, a photographer, and an intern to scout out the perfect home for this week’s assignment. The spaces are fabulous, but the challenge is to infuse the spirit of the chosen theme into the room, and ready it for the photo shoot. Along the way, The Style Dept. delivers fun and fresh designer tricks and tips from the stylist herself.
Please visit HGTV.ca for more information about the show, and for episode and shopping guides.
SUZANNE DIMMA (Host)
Interior designer and Home Design Editor, Suzanne Dimma, is an expert in matters of style. An extensive background in interior design, graphic design and photography (including an Honours degree in Fine Arts and a college diploma in interior design) has given her a wealth of practical knowledge. Her experience in media, including editorial, print and film advertising, newspaper, and television, includes conceptualizing, producing, writing, art directing and styling.
For more than 8 years Dimma acted as the Senior Design Editor for Canadian House & Home, Canada's pre-eminent decorating magazine. She eventually made the move to become their Creative Director in charge of creating, designing and heading up all aspects of launching House & Home’s extensive line of home products sold at Hudson’s Bay Company stores across Canada. She now acts as the Home Design Editor for Canada’s newest lifestyle publication, Wish, launched in 2004 as well as the Style Editor for Gardening Life magazine.
Dimma was a co-host on HGTV’s "Designer Superstar Challenge" and the host of three seasons of "The Style Dep’t." She also produced the monthly column, "Design Fix" for the National Post and has made numerous guest appearances on "House & Home Television", "Canada AM", "CityLine" and Bravo.
ALYKHAN VELJI (Design Assistant)
Alykhan Velji has been in the design industry for over 4 years, starting off as a Visual Display Stylist for Esprit International and then into Interior Decorating. A graduate of Bow Valley College's Interior Decorating and Merchandising program in 2003, he began his career schooling himself in the antique furniture market by working at an antique gallery and then proceeding to work at a retail store designing furniture and merchandising. Based out of Calgary, Alberta, he now has his own successful decorating business, Alykhan Velji Design.
Having experience in many forms of design, he has also had many articles published in magazines and newspapers, offering his opinions on home decor. In addition to writing, he also has experience in event planning and fashion styling. Alykhan was also chosen as one of the top 10 finalists for the HGTV’s "Designer Superstar Challenge" in 2005 where he made it to the top 3. He has also had many articles published about his work in local magazines and papers.
An avid traveler and always keeping up with the design industry's new and innovative trends, Alykhan likes to incorporate these current design trends but in a way that insures the style will remain original and timeless.
TARA WILLIAMS (Design Assistant)
With over 15 years experience encompassing roles in the design and advertising fields, fashion retail, and, most recently, positions as both an interior and then wardrobe stylist, Tara’s well rounded track record provides her with many sources of inspiration for making things look well put together.
Working in fashion retail as a teen and young adult began Tara’s love affair with all things to do with fashion and design. Then followed a 10-year stint in advertising where she worked with a wide array clients in various categories, participating in the development and execution of numerous creative campaigns and design projects, increasing her love for the design world. Her last role in advertising resulted in her working with real estate developers, helping to create inspired model suites and allowed her to apply her love of visual design and styling to her marketing role.
Tara left the advertising world to focus full time on design and styling and for the last 3 years has been working with HGTV as a prop stylist, wardrobe stylist, and part of the Art Department on such shows as "Designer Superstar Challenge", "Chef Challenge", "Rooms that Rock", "Christine Cushing", "Sugar" and "Kitchen Equipped". In between shows, Tara works as a Visual Stylist for Holt Renfrew, working as part of the in-house design team, creating stunning window displays and in-store merchandising, drawing on the experience for further inspiration for future projects.
Tara lives in Toronto in an old farmhouse that serves as a living “canvas” for her many talents.
