Here Are the Questions for the Profile

Meet Virginia Wygal Current FGI board member and Career Day Chair, Virginia is a chameleon of sorts. A woman of many facets ranging from fashion to business to art and to animals, Virginia uses these talents to give back to a community she loves.

1. Tell us about yourself-including job history and education.

I am currently the Director of Product Development at J. Suzette & Co., Inc., a clothing manufacturer located in Allen, Texas. I graduated from the University of North Texas in 1982 with a BFA in design and a business minor. I have worked at Royal Park, Byn-Mar, Malouf Company, Jerrell, TopNotch, Circle T, Fashion Works, just to name a few. My main focus was in design and product development, but in recent years I have become more interested in the business, textile, and print aspects of the industry. I love working with our overseas print mills as they interpret original PV artwork into textile prints. It allows me to draw on my love of color, the technical aspects of the printing process, and print engineering. Given the decrease in the industry’s size, I decided to prepare for a cross-over and went back to graduate school in 2003. I graduated from LeTourneau Graduate School of Business with an MBA in 2006.

2. Why are you a member of FGI and how long have you been a member?

I joined FGI to connect with fellow professionals in the industry and to increase my professional knowledge of the industry. I enjoy the friendships, the associations with other members, the events, and the opportunities to give back to the community. I have been a member of FGI since 1986, with a short 3 year hiatus while I was going to graduate school. I am a board member and the Career Day Chair. This is my second time as a board member, having spent 8 years on it some time ago as the Career Day chair and as past Regional Director. I feel I have gained so much from my association with the organization and firmly believe that you get out of it what (if not more) than you put into it.

3. What is your source of inspiration for you in your business or life?

My inspiration comes from many places but mainly from my love of fibers, textiles, colors, fabrics, and art. I began sewing when I was 8 or 9 years old. I have lint in my blood. My dream as a child was to own a fabric store. I am drawn to art that is primarily nonobjective with incredible texture and color. My favorite artists include Anselm Keifer, Jac Kephart, and Richard Tuttle. My mother is an artist as well as a fine arts teacher. I have several of her pieces hanging at home. My father is retired military but was a business owner. He was a tremendous help during school. My travels as a military child opened my mind to other cultures, other mind sets, other ways of seeing things. From a business perspective, I get my inspiration from a former boss, Jerry Conroy, one of the former owners of TopNotch/RPJ Sportswear. He is the one individual I most respect as a business owner and as a person. He has inspired me as a mentor in my business life. 4. Little known facts about me-

 My relaxation takes the form of work-as a veterinary technician. If I were not in fashion I would be in veterinary medicine. I work 3 hours a week as a vet tech and love it. I love animals, have several, and love working with them. My new “dream job” would be a Veterinary Practice Manager.  I love to weave as an art form using non-traditional techniques and findings. I love collage, weaving, texture, and color. I have an entire room and half the garage devoted to “studio” space.  My favorite time in fashion history is the Victorian period. I spend most of the fall working on semi-authentic Victorian costumes for a singing group that I have worked with for almost 15 years. I love studying the history and technical authenticity of that period.  Hangzhou, China is my favorite city abroad. They have the most amazing Starbuck’s there.