Students from across The Creative School collaborate to present Mass Exodus 2023
For their annual year-end showcase, Fashion Design and Communication students put their designs on display with two live fashion shows and a design exhibition for Mass Exodus 2023. The longstanding Mass Exodus event is produced by students in The Creative School participating in the FCD 817/827 Live Event Supercourse, from various programs including Fashion, Creative Industries, Professional Communication, Journalism, RTA Media and more.
Each year, Mass Exodus hosts over 700 in-person attendees for both the fashion show and live exhibit. This year, the team held two runway shows in the Mattamy Athletic Centre to accommodate the large number of attendees, as well as a live exhibit in the Rogers Communications Centre for the community to see the designs up close.
The event is dedicated to amplifying diverse creatives and skills within the local community while committing to sustainability, social justice, and inclusive design.
"Students are at the forefront of change. Year-end showcases provide an opportunity for the public to understand what is forthcoming in our world,” said Joseph Medaglia, Chair of Fashion. “These are not only displays of student work but rather a glimpse into the spirit of this time and place, and what is to come.”
Garment design by Serena Li. Image courtesy of Jenn Jevons
Garment design by Delfina Russo. Image courtesy of Jenn Jevons
Design inspirations
This year's Mass Exodus theme was called Sonder; the profound feeling that everyone’s lives are complex, shaped by individual ambitions, personal relationships, natural routines, constant worries, and inherited insanity. As told by the team, Sonder encapsulates the unique story that continues invisibly around you, and represents the journey of elaborate passageways to thousands of individuals’ lives that you never contemplated, nor noticed.
Image courtesy of Jenn Jevons
Image courtesy of Jenn Jevons
The Live Event Supercourse
The Live Event Supercourse provides students with hands-on experience in event management, from conceptualizing the event to executing it day-of. The students work with industry professionals to learn the ins and outs of event planning, including budgeting, marketing, and logistics. The course equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the events industry, and Mass Exodus is a testament to the students’ success in producing high-quality events. The Live Event Supercourse has become a sought-after course for students in The Creative School who are interested in pursuing a career in event planning and production.
As part of the course, Creative Industries student Ayah Mallah took on the role of Production Manager for Mass Exodus. Mallah was responsible for ensuring everything was finalized and ready to go prior to the show and managing the line of models for both runway shows. Although it was her first time taking on a role of this capacity, she says this course helped her break out of her comfort zone and spike an interest in live production.
“During rehearsal, I was scared we wouldn’t know how to properly run the show since it was everyone’s first time doing such an event while only having one day to practice. But when show day came, it was as if something had taken over me, and I knew by instinct what to do,” Mallah said. “It was a lot of fun having that hands-on experience while also meeting new people. I wish more courses were hands-on like this because if there were, I would be taking them all just for the experience.”
Fourth-year Professional Communication student Jessica Hupalo was able to blend her interests in communication with live event production in her role as the Professional Communication lead for Mass Exodus. She says participating in the Live Events Supercourse was one of the most fulfilling experiences throughout her university career.
“While on the team I had the opportunity to work with a multitude of creatives who come from various academic and professional backgrounds and disciplines, all of which have a distinct set of skills that was inspiring to be around,” she said. “Personally I have not worked on an event of such a large-scale, and this course truly immerses you in the world of event planning. While academic learning is incredibly paramount, this course provides an outlet for which students can explore their curiosity and make executive decisions in an inclusive and low-risk environment.”
To learn more about Mass Exodus, the team, and designer profiles, visit their website (external link) .
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.