MFA, Mount Royal School of Art

Class of 2000

“I’m open to opportunities-- everything.” 

While doing holiday shopping, you might have noticed the work of 2000 Mount Royal graduate Kate (Creeden) Neckel, who was hired by fashion label Cole Haan to illustrate look books, tool kits, store windows, and billboards- including one featuring tennis star Maria Sharapova for the company's 2011 spring ad campaign.

While her creative license is her first priority, "if someone's walking down Fifth Avenue and my drawing entices her to come into the store and think about buying a purse, it's a bonus," Neckel said. With her work appearing in such top notch publications as Vanity Fair and Vogue, Neckel is excited about where her work will ultimately take her. "I'm open to everything," she said. "Open to opportunities."