NOEL GRZETIC
LIFE REPORTER

A Humber advertising and graphic design graduate is taking his skills to new heights, with the launch of his own men’s clothing line.
Corey Kilmartin, 29, introduced his line named Claim at a Las Vegas trade show in February and is now working on the spring line.
He graduated five years ago, but said the concept is something he has been thinking about for eight years.

Claim model sports grad Corey Kilmartin’s T-shirt design. (Courtesy)

“It started as a pet project,” he said. “More of a T-shirt, extreme sports and skateboarding venture.”
Kilmartin said he became serious two years ago and decided to take his idea in a new direction, creating men’s upscale contemporary clothing, focusing on clean lines and subtle tones.
The collection consists of print graphics and dress shirts.
“This was the best market for me to get my foot in the door, seeing as my background was in graphic design,” said Kilmartin, who designs all the clothes himself.
After the trade show, Claim was booked with a store in Los Angeles and Kilmartin is in discussion with several other stores in the U.S.
Kilmartin’s former teacher Dawn Lambert said she is not surprised to have one of her graduates in fashion design.
“If you are good at design, it wouldn’t be that big of a switch,” said Lambert. “You just have to learn a new set of tools and programs.”
Program co-ordinator Heather Lowry said with the rising popularity of graphic printing, some graduates are heading into fashion.
Kilmartin said design has always been a part of his life, although he never thought of pursuing it seriously until after high school.
He said he applied to Humber, because his friends told him the program was strong. He said he was not disappointed.
“That course in two years, it took me from horsing around on my Apple computer, to full-fledged, high-end designer,” he said.
Next year’s spring/summer line will feature six new styles with additional colors, V-neck T-shirts and linen button-down shirts.