Live Events Supercourse brings Mass Exodus back in-person with live runway show and design installation

As part of the Live Events Supercourse (opens in new window) , fashion students at The Creative School put their designs on display with a hybrid runway show and installation at the annual year end showcase, Mass Exodus (external link, opens in new window) . With the theme of metamorphosis, the showcase focused on evolution and transformation symbolized through butterflies.

Along with the emphasis on transformations and renewal, the showcase also aimed to spotlight the principles of inclusion, decolonization, and sustainability in fashion, while also encouraging optimism for fashion’s bright future.

For the first time in two years, the sold-out runway show took place in-person at the Student Learning Centre, with a livestream option for those who weren’t able to attend. In addition, the MassEx team exhibited an installation of the graduating class’ design collections at the SLC that was open to all community members to observe. 

“Over the past two years, our students have navigated through very challenging times, with the help of our dedicated faculty and staff, to produce work that is innovative, critical and important,” said School of Fashion Chair Joseph Medaglia. “Mass Exodus provides an opportunity for our students to showcase their excellent work to the outside world, as was demonstrated on the runway, in the installation, and the event production itself.”

A collaborative effort

As part of the Live Event Supercourse, the showcase was an interdisciplinary event, with 100 students across The Creative School participating in making the show a reality. The two-semester supercourse gave students from various schools in the faculty the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the development and production, and what it takes to execute a large-scale fashion event. While students from the School of Fashion focused on curating their designs, students from Professional Music composed the soundtrack for the show, Performance students supported the production aspect, RTA Media students facilitated the live broadcast of the show and Graphic Communications Management students produced all of the printed materials. Students enrolled in the Supercourse also assisted with other tasks, such as event management, planning and promotion. 

The student experience

Ashira Prijatna, a Fashion Communication student and the lead web strategist for Mass Exodus, reflected on the experience of putting a show together from scratch with the rest of the team.

“Being a part of Mass Exodus this year has provided me with such  valuable and hands-on experience. It has proven to me the possibilities of what we as students with creative drive can produce when we continuously work on something together,” says Prijatna. “That only motivates me even more, to continue being a part of and hopefully forming my own fashion events in the near future.” 

Fashion Communication student Ellen Tracy Wong said that Mass Exodus taught her what real collaboration and teamwork look like.  

“Being able to work with your peers and across different teams to put together an event really shows what the student body is capable of,” she shares. “Without a doubt, it feels extremely fulfilling to experience the show in person and see all our hard work come to life.”

To watch a recording of the livestream and learn more about the design collection from the graduating Fashion Design and Communication class, visit the Mass Exodus website (external link, opens in new window) . 

The Creative School at Ryerson 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.