2013 IDC/IIDA Vancouver Leaders Breakfast

On February 14, 2013, Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) will present Sooz Klinkhamer with the prestigious IDC/IIDA Leadership Award of Excellence, an award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession of interior design. Legendary Canadian shoe designer John Fluevog will deliver the keynote address. To purchase tickets, please click here. Don’t miss this iconic event in the interior design community.

Speaker: John Fluevog, Shoe Designer

Canadian design icon and entrepreneur John Fluevog is known for his progressive and art deco inspired shoe styles. He has more than a dozen stores in North America and has gained fans all over the world including high profile celebrities.

Fluevog has a strong green philosophy, from the designs of his eco-friendly workspace to the natural and recycled materials he uses in his shoe creations. Fluevog was recently recognized by The Two/Ten Foundation of Canada as the Canadian Footwear Industry's Shoe Person of the Year. His company, John Fluevog Shoes, was named one of the world's most innovative companies in the fashion industry by FastCompany.

Over the years, Fluevog has stayed true to his street-wise edge, which has earned him a loyal following called “Fluevogers.” His flagship store is a landmark for Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood.

Honoree: Sooz Klinkhamer, Interior Design Educator

Klinkhamer, MA, BAA, RID, NCIDQ , FIDI, FIDC, FIIDA, FIDEC, has nearly 40 years experience in the interior design profession. She is a Fellow of IDI and IIDA, was awarded IDC Fellow Membership in 1992 and most recently named Fellow of IDEC in 2010.

Klinkhamer practised interior design for 13 years before becoming an interior design educator in 1985. She was chair of the interior design department at Kwantlen University from 1994 to 2005, and retired in 2010. An active volunteer, she currently serves on two NCIDQ task forces and participates frequently in other volunteer events in the Vancouver area. Sooz believes “you always receive much more than you give” when participating in volunteer activities.

Our National Benefactors: