Ra Thomson
Assistant Professor Rank Specialist
Education
Level 7 Diploma in Fashion Technology and Design
ARA Institute, New Zealand
Industry Experience
2006 ~ 2014: Owner / Operator / Designer / Production Manager of MisteR Menswear
2006 ~ 2007: Production Cutter at Robyn Mathieson
2004 ~ 2006: Assistant Designer / Pattern Cutter / Production Cutter at House of Hank
2004: Sample Cutter at Starfish Clothing
2002 ~ 2004: Assistant Designer / Product Manager at Pacific Brands Holdings
Programs
Menswear Design
Menswear Pattern Cutting & Construction
Fashion Branding & Visual Communication
Sustainable Fashion Design

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Ra Thomson is a seasoned fashion professional and academic with a rich background in both industry and education. He has been serving as a dedicated Assistant Professor at Shih Chien University since 2015, where he imparts his extensive knowledge of menswear to aspiring fashion designers. Prior to this, he was a Fashion Tutor at the ARA Institute in New Zealand.
Ra's industry experience is equally impressive. He was the Owner Operator Designer of the successful menswear brand MisteR, whose influence in the New Zealand fashion scene was recognized by Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, which added several of the brand's garments to their permanent collection. Ra also worked as a Production Cutter at Robyn Mathieson, an Assistant Designer at House of Hank Design, a Sample Cutter at Starfish Clothing, and an Assistant Product Manager for JOCKEY underwear at Pacific Brands Holdings.
In addition to his professional roles, Ra actively encourages and preaches sustainable thinking within his teaching and often promotes his own creative sustainable works in various global exhibitions. As an active member of the IFFTI community, Ra has also presented papers at conferences about teaching methods and sustainable education.