The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Baker's couture designs inspire her students and clients alike. A black organza tunic, sewn entirely by hand, is embellished with a raven design and a touch of metallic embroidery. An exquisite two-piece ensemble calls for a closer examination.The "barely there" top is adorned with an applique of stylized "Kingcome" wolves and delicate sequin beading. The crinkle-shot full-length taffeta by the prestigious Arthur Gilbert Pamela Baker Photo by Ilona Beiks Award for evening wear in her senior year. Her design, a midnight-blue evening dress with a full-length dyedto-match feather boa evening coat is a masterpiece. Created using a technique known as dévoré, in which velvet is burned out to form a pattern in the fabric. Baker's dress features a Native-influenced design that cascades down one side.To add to the thrill of winning the award, Baker received $5,000 for her design. When asked to define a pre-eminent moment of success, Baker describes an evening when she and her sons stood in front of Neimen Marcus, the tony department store in Beverly Hills, looking at her awardwinning dress on display in the window. In her bright, fully equipped studio, Baker teaches both beginner and advance fashion design to 12 students, most of whom are from the Squamish reserve.The Band provides funding for the program.To the beginners, she teaches sportswear design, basic sewing skills, and Native design using embroidery, beading, and appliqué.The advanced class learns pattern-making and intricate beading. Aaron Joseph, a painter and carver, trains with the advanced group. "I am learning lots of tools in different mediums. It's very fulfilling. I plan to produce my own line of couture clothing." With all her students. Baker shares world fashion trends and stresses that "Quality is number one." A skirt in shimmering grey completes the look. "Luckily, my ideas flow non-stop," says Baker. That's good news for her fans. Baker's current daywear collection includes draped linen dresses, drawstring skirts, and pants with coordinated tops in cool summer shades. Hand-screened Native motifs are applied to the fabric using unusual screening techniques such as puffed paint and foil. What's next? A new line of sportswear (TOC Legends) including fleece jackets, vests, and hats incorporating traditional elements of Northwest Coast art (sea serpents, thunderbirds, killer whales). Come by and see the creations for yourself.Touch of Culture is at 2IOWhonoak Street, North Vancouver. Studio hours are 9 am to 5 pm, daily throughout the summer. Phone 980-2443 for more details Clare Contini is a freelance writer with a special interest in the art of fashion and aboriginal design. THETEfvKsT Sponsored by VanCity On the Studio Stage Tuesdays through Sundays Under the tents in Vanier Park HeNWIVSe Sponsored by MCL Motor Cars WENDsWeIL Bard Box Office: (604) 739-0559 Visit our website: www.bardonthebeach.org CBC$radi<a«£