Teachig How To Make Mens Clothing

Going Beyond Teaching

If Kirwan doesn't mean entrepreneur in some foreign language, it assuredly should.

Dimity Kirwan, 27, is a 2002 graduate of Wilton High School and she loves teaching. As a teacher herself, though, Kirwan realizes how much sacrifice that profession can require.

With teaching jobs evermore elusive in the current economic climate, and with salaries in the field low to begin with, it is a frequent occurrence that the very people tasked with helping others build their futures are unsure about their own. 

That fact bugged Kirwan. And she decided to do something about it.

With the help of a $10,000 grant through women's clothing company Jones New York and their empowerment fund , and furthered by what funds were left out of her teacher's salary, Kirwan launched her own online business called " Beyond Teaching " this past January.

"It connects parents seeking childcare and tutoring services with certified teachers and those pursuing certification," Kirwan said of her company. "It was started to empower educators to supplement their income outside of the classroom while helping parents find educare."

In short, Kirwan has set up an eruditional matchmaking service. Teachers can register on the site for free and advertise their services, while parents pay fairly nominal fees to gain access to the site's trove of high quality educators. 

Kirwan is particularly proud of her endeavor because of its far-reaching effects. In addition to helping parents find vetted educational childcare and helping enhance kids' learning, it allows teachers to supplement their incomes while plying their trade and honing their skills. That was, in fact, the company's genesis.

"I could never find these kinds of jobs," Kirwan said. "And that's why I started it. It's such a good way to supplement your income as a teacher and working with kids one-on-one or in small groups is ideal. That's my favorite kind of teaching...those moments when you are working with a student and you actually get to witness the learning and growth take place on a regular basis."

Kirwan ought to know about the rigors and rewards of teaching, as she is both a Teach for America alumna and a New York City educator. Those experiences, she said, clearly demonstrated the need for a service like Beyond Teaching.

"A few years ago, there was an educational hiring freeze and there were no new jobs," Kirwan said. "That's still true to an extent. And so [Beyond Teaching] is a great chance for teachers who need work to earn extra money and to put their skills to use. It's also great because, especially when you move to a new city and you don't have a network of parents [for whom you usually work], it can help you get those references and make those connections.

French Lessons: Pierre Hardy on Teaching, Collaborations and Doing ...

The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, in a move sure to delight fashion-lovers and Francophiles alike, is continuing their style-centric Breakfast at 972 panel seriesthe same one that saw us chatting it up with Olivier Theyskens about a month ago.

Yesterday mornings speaker? None other than super-cobbler Pierre Hardy, he of the skyscraper geometric wedges and to-die-for Gap collabs.

In addition to designing his eponymous accessories label and working with the aforementioned all-American high street store, Hardys spent over two decades as the Creative Director of mens and womens footwear at Herms, where he later put his stamp on the houses jewelry. Add to that his responsibilities as Balenciagas resident shoe designer, and its a wonder that the bespectacled cobbler still finds time to serve as a teacher and mentor to art/design students on a weekly basis!

Here are some of the choice takeaways from the mornings chat, which was once again moderated by Charlotte Sarkozy and Timothe Verrecchia:

Artnot fashionwas Hardys first love. My family was never into fashionthey were quite sporty, and very involved in dance. My parents were teachers, and so I prepared to become the same. Clothes were never my dreamit was always more about painting, sculpture, and architecture.

He got his big break at the worlds greatest luxury labels. I started designing shoes for Christian Dior in 1987and at that time, though Dior was a centerpiece of the entire fashion world, I had no idea! Then in the early nineties I went to Herms. That house has such a great amount of history–its like a national treasure. My own label is ten years old, and in comparison, thats so young.

He was pals with Balenciagas main man long before they began working together. Oh, Ive known Nicolas Ghesquire for about fifteen years. Its like working with a brother!

He applies core artistic concepts to his work as a shoemaker. An artist is always trying to make shapes that are completely new to everybody. Sometimes I wonder, though, am I doing something newor am I just doing the same thing as before in a different way?

Designing his boutiques provides Hardy with yet another creative outlet. When I do a store, its just another way to express myself on a different scale. New York is my second home, so opening that store here [on Jane Street last December] was like a childhood dream. The store is meant to feel like a little house! I think its important to keep things very personal.

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