VIA Rail Canada Announces the Winner of the Uniform Design Contest - Winning
design concept will serve as inspiration for new frontline employee uniforms

TORONTO , Oct. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - At a special event during LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oréal Paris , VIA Rail Canada and the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) announced the winner of VIA's Uniform Design Contest; Montreal-based designer, Xiao Wei . Xiao's winning concept will serve as inspiration for VIA's new frontline employee uniforms to be unveiled in 2012 as part of the company's rebranded new look.

Launched at last year's Toronto Fashion Week, the Uniform Design Contest invited Canadian designers to showcase their talent and create a design concept to inspire VIA's forthcoming new frontline employee uniforms. Using comments and feedback provided by VIA employees, the participating designers developed concepts that were both fashionable and practical. Xaio Wei's winning design concept, chosen based on a number of criteria including style and the ability to adapt to the rigours of train travel, was selected by VIA employees, representatives from the FDCC and a panel of judges.

"The FDCC is proud to be a part of this process and the announcement of the winning concept this season at LG Fashion Week beauty by L'Oréal Paris ," said Robin Kay , President of the Fashion Design Council of Canada .

"VIA's frontline employees - both in stations and on trains - need a uniform that is fashionable yet adaptable to their day-to-day tasks, "said Lynn Pellerin , VIA's Product Manager, Longhaul Services. "We wish to congratulate Xiao Wei on her winning concept - one that will serve as an inspiration for the next steps of the uniform design process. We look forward to unveiling the final design to Canadians from coast to coast, when we officially launch our new uniforms in 2012."

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation, both in Canada's business corridor and in remote and rural regions of the country. Every week, VIA operates 503 intercity, transcontinental and regional trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre route network. The demand for VIA services is growing as travellers increasingly turn to train travel as a safe, hassle-free and environmentally responsible alternative to congested roads and airports.

For further information: Media Contact: Ashley Doyle, VIA Rail Canada, [phone], [email protected]