PROFILES

ADRIANA MEISTER

My collection, Victoriana 2100, is inspired by time travel, Victorian fashion and science fiction. It follows the narrative of a Victorian time traveler who goes to 22nd Century London and tries to fit into the futuristic setting while still keeping Victorian elements of dress. This occasion-wear collection for Fall/Winter 14/15, features wools, silks, cotton and leather highlighted by blues, purples and neutral black and white colour schemes. The outerwear is architectural in nature, with sharp clean lines along the body, in solid colours and plaid textiles. In contrast, the eveningwear elements feature simple silhouettes with a focus on rich prints and colour contrasts. The more rewarding experience so far was working at the Trend Custom Tailors Atelier along side talented tailors and dressmakers in the production of this collection. The experience they contributed really made this collection the best it could possibly be. In addition, getting so many positive responses to the clothes and being able to sell most of them before they were even finished is very humbling and rewarding.

Adriana Meister

Alannah Lindberg

ALANNAH LINDBERG

My collection is inspired by reverie, the idea of being lost in a day dream. However, this reverie is a mixture of a fantasy and a nightmare – the concept of death and beauty intertwined. It is inspired by the romantically depicted Shakespearean scenes painted by Henry Fuseli and Edwin Landseer. The artists portray these fantastical scenes in an eerie manner, which is the essence of my collection. It means to evoke a similar feeling, one where the otherworldly characteristics create interest but are still beautiful to look at. My collection does this by using a black monochrome colour scheme, with a mix of sheer and opaque jerseys to create moody, ethereal gowns, mimicking a dreamscape. The most rewarding experience in the design process is turning a drawing into a tangible item that someone will use as a means of self expression. It’s an amazing feeling to see your idea go through all of the stages, from a sketch to a pattern, to pieces of fabric, and finally to a living piece of art.

Alannah Lindberg

ALLISON RAND

My collection was inspired by my family’s Finnish heritage. What really inspired me was the ‘kaamos’ which means ‘polar night’ in Finnish, it is the time in winter when the night lasts for more than 24 hours (and even up to two months in the northern-most regions). Looking at images of Finnish landscapes during this time of winter, everything is covered in a blanket of snow glowing with all shades of blue light, which inspired me to explore ombré-dyeing techniques that mimic this glowing effect. It also inspired the name of my collection, ‘lumia’, which is the Finnish translation of ‘snow’ but also alludes to the ‘luminous’ effect that I was inspired by. The Finnish flag also played a role in designing my collection and I have used it as a motif in my designs. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been realizing the growth of my skill set and learning new techniques.

Allison Rand

Amy Bewcyk

AMY BEWCYK

My collection explores the concept of fragmentation, which is the process or state of something being broken down into separate pieces. I incorporated this into my line by looking at how a garment is constructed, breaking it into its components, and highlighting the component’s existing function or finding new ways to use them. On a sensory level, the word fragmentation evokes a very tactile response. My collection aims to emulate that tactile response through the use of textural fabrications. The most rewarding experience has been receiving positive feedback about my garments from my peers and seeing everyone’s collections come to life.

Amy Bewcyk

Amy Tahmizian

AMY TAHMIZIAN

The Chappelle collection was inspired by and dedicated to my late grandfather, Arthur J Chappelle. He was a very talented artist who excelled in watercolour paintings. In the 1960s, my grandfather designed the entrances to a number of Ontario’s National Parks. I pulled the earth tones and the look of the wooden signs from my grandfather’s watercolour paintings of the park entrances to inspire the colors used in the collection and the pleated leather detailing on the coats. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been seeing my collection come to life. It’s one thing to gather inspiration fabric that does not even replicate your vision. But, once you actually work with your final fabrics and see how all the colors tie everything together, that’s when you feel rewarded. That’s when you feel accomplished, like all of your dreams for your collection are coming true.

Amy Tahmizian

Antonella Pica

ANTONELLA PICA

The Fall 2014 Peralta Pica collection is titled “Merchant of the Orient”, where I envisioned a story of a merchant in the western world during the Renaissance, who traveled to these areas and collected rich silk fabrics, copper toned spices, ceramics and art. With this theme in mind, I have combined elements of drape, jewel toned colour and embellishment, and incorporated them into women’s office wear. The intension of this collection is to offer women feminine and creative options for professional wear. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process, is seeing my collection come fruition. Even more so, I’m most grateful for the opportunity to showcase my work to the people who have supported me throughout the entire process.

Antonella Pica

BLAISE CROCKER

My collection is inspired by knight’s armor and the dress silhouettes that were popular during the Elizabethan period. It juxtaposes the idea of a damsel in distress with her “knight in shining armor”, as usually seen in fairytales. The typical full and feminine princess gown is mixed with structured pieces, giving her an armor of her own. Using a mixture of leather and floral upholstery fabric, as well as stiff corseted sections, the collection evokes the strong, protected feeling that armor brings while still being elegant and soft. The most rewarding experience so far has been having the opportunity to challenge myself, both creatively and technically, and bringing designs to life in a way that gives me confidence in my abilities.

Blaise Crocker

BREANNA JOHNSTON

By Nature is a contemporary women’s wear collection for Spring/Summer 2015. It was inspired by the dramatic images in the documentary Chasing Ice that documents the melting of the earth’s glaciers. The garments all have very clean minimalist design lines and fresh modern silhouettes with a strong focus on separates that can be mixed and matched. The defining feature of the collection is the hand dyed fabric using a technique called ice dyeing. The unusual technique requires that the fabric be placed in a bowl and covered in ice cubes. The ice cubes are then sprinkled with different colored powdered dyes and then left till all the ice melts. This simple process creates indescribable shapes and forms that appear to float across the top of the fabric. Also important is the use of different textures such as the soft blue leather that resembles a sheet of ice and the white knit that has the appearance of freshly fallen snow. These unique mix of textures help to recall the inspiration of the glaciers. The most rewarding experience so far has been seeing my collection grow from the initial design sketches to the final garments. A lot has changed through the months from garment designs to textiles but ultimately it has lead me to a much stronger collection that I am truly proud to call my own.

Breanna Johnston

Carly Fung

CARLY FUNG

Inspired by the summer camp days we enjoyed in our youth, Winter Camp is the fictitious counterpart, and a state of mind. The women’s contemporary collection consists of separates that are inspired by the effortlessness of summer, but made for the fall and winter. The collection encapsulates youthful idealism, nostalgia, and a desire to escape. Through effortless silhouettes and beautiful fabrics, the collection allows women to temporarily slip away from the woes of life. See you at Winter Camp. It has been particularly rewarding to turn a simple idea into something tangible. As well, at the risk of sounding extremely cliché, creating my first collection has felt like an end of an era as well as a new beginning.

Carly Fung

Carly Hobson

CARLY HOBSON

The inspiration for my bridal collection is a combination of organic matter and the beauty of nature, as well as the incorporation of webs, flowers, crystallization and waterfalls. These aspects influenced my fabric choices of Italian and Dupioni silks, bridal tulle, delicate lace fabrics and organza flowers. I also used lavish ivory, soft blush and elegant silver tones in the garments to add a splash of colour to bridal wear. The most rewarding experience throughout the design process is the completion of a collection and seeing your designs on the runway. This collection is something that I have worked so hard on throughout the year, making it extremely gratifying to be acknowledged for my designs. I also believe the overall design process has been a great learning experience that will assist me in future endeavors.

Carly Hobson

Charlene Becking

CHARLENE BECKING

My surfwear collection is inspired by contemporary fashion trends seen on the runways and incorporating new style lines in performance apparel. Named Iris, after the oceanic patterns seen in detail photos of eyes, this collection holds a strong focus on rash guard tops and bottoms. These key items explore new cuts and prints in order to bring fashion forward pieces to water based sports. These pieces not only focus on bringing fashion forward pieces to performance sports, but also hold onto the importance of executing perfect fit and function. Highly inspired by vintage aloha shirts and runway fashions, Iris is sure to make any woman feel fashionable and confident while surfing, paddle boarding, and exploring the ocean in her active lifestyle. The most rewarding experience so far during this design process has been executing perfect fit in my designs with a fabric I have never worked with before. Learning the different ways that stretch materials can be fashioned into more contemporary pieces brings excitement and personal satisfaction to my finished garments. The best part of this process has been anytime someone passing by my designs has said “Hey! I love that! I would wear that!”. It’s a very humbling feeling that I have not only executed my vision but other people are validating its worth.

Charlene Becking

Chelsea Mazur

CHELSEA MAZUR

My collection is inspired by the luxury and elegance of Victorian royalty. I wanted to create a collection that incorporated the luxury of that time, with fabrics, jewels, and furs, and juxtapose them into modern silhouettes. Women’s dresses from that time period were elegant and sensuous, with off the shoulder necklines and tightly corseted bodices. The silhouettes of women’s Victorian dress inspired the designs for my collection. I also wanted to incorporate the luxurious fabrics, furs and jewels worn by Victorian royalty into my designs, with beautiful wools, real fur trims and crystal beading. The colour palette was inspired by the jewel tones that were worn only by royalty. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been seeing how my collection has come to life. It can be a daunting task, designing a collection, choosing fabrics, and trims. As each piece is created, coming together as an outfit and then a collection, it is amazing to get positive feedback from fellow students, professors, and others. Designs that started off in my head, are now tangible garments that people have expressed they would love to own and wear.

Chelsea Mazur

Diana Li

DIANA LI

What makes something beautiful is its past and process – a painting is beautiful because of each brush stroke that marks the artist’s touch, a person is beautiful because of the experiences that makes them who they are. DEVOTION is an appreciation, not only for aesthetics, but also for the process and time taken to construct each garment. Starting with intricate hand drawn designs, the collection incorporates hand cut leather pieces that are both sophisticated and contemporary. Focusing on the beauty of time and process, the result is something powerful and alluring, and stories of art and dedication are told through the garments. The best part of the design process for me was the inspiration, which came from my travels in Europe during the summer of 2013. After thousands of photos, hundreds of amazing meals, 75 days, 11 cities, 5 countries, and a couple wrong turns, there was only 1 word left to describe the experience – inspirational. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I was mesmerized and astounded by the beauty of the cities and their art, design, and lifestyle. To be able to create a collection that encompasses my short time in Europe, is truly the most rewarding part of this process.

Diana Li

Elizabeth Chung

ELIZABETH CHUNG

My collection is about the Nature of Enlightenment; I was inspired by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. In the story, people are fixed to a point in the cave, where they see shadows on a wall and mistake them for being tangible. One of them is then freed, wanders around, and discovers the real objects that were casting those shadows. He goes back and tells the others that what they are seeing is not real, but a trace of that which is. This is translated in my collection with the use of transparent fabrics in select areas, as single or built up layers that hint at what is underneath–a reflection of how one person could be at different depths of understanding when considering a variety of subjects–some areas they see better than others. Nature–(a stand in for Truth in art)–motifs run throughout my prints. The most rewarding experience so far, has been believing in a design, ineffectively explaining it, then having critique teachers on board once I began executing and they could start to understand my vision.

Elizabeth Chung

Ellisha Moses

ELLISHA MOSES

My collection looks at line and shape, taking inspiration from medieval armor and corsetry. A dark and sensual pallet of blacks, greys, aged golds and deep plums give the collection the air of luxury. The focus of my collection is on a futuristic time and place where the past and present fight for dominance in fashion and on the female form. What I’ve enjoyed most so far is figuring out how to make the pieces I’ve designed.

Ellisha Moses

Emaan El-houni

EMAAN EL-HOUNI

Ritz is a high-end evening-wear collection designed for plus size women. It is inspired by the essence and details of 1920’s fashion. I took inspiration from the surface details and feel of the flapper dress, the beading, embroidery, embellishments, fabrics and movement of the garments. I captured this theme in my collection through the use of intricate beading, fringe and layering. The collection incorporates these features along with figure flattering fabrics, colours, cuts and silhouettes. The most rewarding experience would have to be creating something that is truly my own from start to finish and that I am truly passionate about. Designing a plus size women’s collection for me is more than just creating a beautiful collection, it is being able to offer more diversity to Mass Exodus 2014. Having full-figured women on the runway this year will be very rewarding. The positive feedback I’ve received from my target market tells me I’ve created something really great.

Emaan El-houni

Eva Parrell

EVA PARRELL

The line POA was inspired by my recent trip to Kenya, where I lived and worked alongside Maasai women in rural southern Kenya. The name POA is Swahili slang for “cool” which is the embodiment of this collection. The collection features traditional Maasai fabrics bought while in Kenya. A critical and meaningful part of this collection is the beadwork. Maasai women in Loodariak, Kenya have done all of the beadwork in my collection. Maasai women have been beading for as long as they can remember, adorning themselves daily from head to toe. It is an important and beloved part of their culture. I have chosen to work with these women to not only make beautiful clothing, but to help women in a society where earning a living can be very hard. This is a collection made for women, by women, in support of women. The most rewarding part of the design process was being able to travel back to Kenya and work alongside the inspirational Maasai women of Loodariak.

Eva Parrell

Inna Gavrylyshyna

INNA GAVRYLYSHYNA

My collection is inspired by Persian culture. Patterns of famous Persian rugs and lines of intricate architecture of Persian mosques were incorporated into my designs. The colours I chose for this line are blue and green, representing nature and gold, which means personal strength. The most rewarding experience through the design process was to see that my ideas could be translated into actual pieces. Swimwear is a totally new area of navigation for me and understanding new techniques of construction was very interesting and insightful.

Inna Gavrylyshyna

JACQUELINE TRUONG

The tall women’s wear collection is inspired by modern architecture around the world. There are jackets, pants, and dresses in this collection. The tall collection is suitable for workingwomen, and versatile enough for them to wear out at night either for dinner, or out in the city. The colours incorporated are; Navy, Black, Grey, Silver, and Deep Forest Greens. These colours help give the business attire a modern twist. Features include; colour blocking with contrast pockets. The silhouette of the outfits are tailored, and fitted to help enhance the tall woman’s body. This collection has given me a better idea of what I want to do after I graduate. I enjoy making clothes for woman, and with Mass Exodus, I am able to show off what has been in process for the past 5-6 months. We all started with a design board, and then our 25 collections, and narrowed it down to five. These five had become a prototype, and now is a sample and final product. It is amazing to see how far the designers have come through four years and now its time for us to make our debut!

Jacqueline Truong

Jae Yeon Kim

JAE YEON KIM

My collection is inspired by the theme of the snow queen and this is demonstrated through each designs. The snow queen introduced by Hans Christian Anderson is the inspiration behind this proposal’s snow queen theme. This carry the traits of: purity, softness, fluid, and transparency. All of these traits support the characteristics of the feminine, romantic and dreamy fairytale essence of the snow queen. By using this theme, each piece, in a proposed 2014 Fall-Winter women’s bridal wear show, will have a unifying presence, communicating an overall story.

Jae Yeon Kim

Jin Yoon

JIN YOON

YOONIT was initially inspired by my trip to Bangladesh over the past summer. I was especially drawn to the parliament building, Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban, for it’s juxtaposition of curved and smooth, light and dark, and concave and convex. The entire building is monochromatic, so I decided to keep that in line with my collection with the exception of accent colours of red and green hues, which are the two colours on the Bangladesh flag. My most rewarding experience has been having men (and street savvy women) telling me they would buy my garments after the Mass Exodus is over.

Jin Yoon

Kamra Khalid

KAMRA KHALID

Noor by Kamra Khalid is a contemporary women’s wear collection that is committed to designing pieces that reconcile modernity with traditional femininity. Drawing inspiration from the Far East and fusing it with the West, this collection possesses an elegant unity that is timeless and appropriate for many people, occasions and is not confined to the boundaries of a specific season. The inspiration for this collection comes from the 17th Century Mughal Era, which is re-invented and showcased with an infusion of modern technique. Pristine silhouettes paired with ornately rich details are used, which borrows from the type of grandeur that the Mughals were known to indulge in. Thus, the combination of traditional eastern techniques with contemporary aesthetic and fabrics is the core concept for Noor – a collection for the modern clientele desiring a diverse and culturally inspired wardrobe. As a designer, watching my inspiration become a reality and take physical form has been one of the most rewarding experiences so far as a design student. What started out as few rough sketches and a handful of fabric swatches, have now become a collection that speaks of that initial inspiration. Seeing these fabrics come to life on the runway will complete this unique and valuable project. Additionally, working with unique types of fabrics has pushed me to new levels of creativity. The combination of beading with various types of fabrics such as velvets and silks has been a challenging process that tested the mettles of my focus and passion as a design student. Through it all, I have come to a new level of appreciation and learning what it takes to succeed in this career.

Kamra Khalid

Katie Steckley

KATIE STECKLEY

My collection is inspired by Canadian Winter Mountains, coziness and ski culture. This is visible in this Après ski collection through the crisp and cool colours and the relaxed, comfortable look of the clothing. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been watching the first outfit come together and to realize that it is really happening. My collection: no restrictions, no limits. The collection I have waited four years to design is becoming a physical reality.

Katie Steckley

Kelly Easton

KELLY EASTON

The main component of my collection is the use of eco-friendly fabrics, with a large focus on hemp. I chose this focus because hemp is one of the most efficient crops for production of various items in today’s society, clothing being one of them. My colour inspiration was drawn from the Aurora Borealis – The Northern Lights because of the beautiful vibrant colours. Each piece has been hand dyed using different submersion techniques and the dyes are all cold water reactive. The collection was made for everyday wear and to last so that the wearer gets optimal use out of the pieces. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been the successful and unique processes of hand dyeing. You can have a general idea about how something will come out but each time upon revealing the final dyed garments, the uniqueness and richness of colour is very different and satisfying.

Kelly Easton

Kelly Fitzpatrick

KELLY FITZPATRICK

My collection, Spective, is inspired by Bioluminescence. The collection incorporates black, in various textile textures, and pops of colour to represent the neon light that bioluminescent organisms create. The concept of perspective is explored through the use of transparent and shiny fabrics which make the visual of the garment different from every vantage point. Silhouette and surface detailing are used to further reflect the amorphous shapes of the bioluminescent organisms found at deep ocean depths. So far the most rewarding experience has been sewing my personalized labels into my final garments. Being able to see my ideas come into fruition and label them as my creations with my name and branding was highly rewarding and allowed me to place my collection within the context of the big picture. Finishing touches, like labels, make the goal of selling my garments in a retail setting all the more realistic.

Kelly Fitzpatrick

Kimberly Leckey

KIMBERLY LECKEY

My collection is based off of tennis wear and incorporates 70’s shapes and lines as inspiration. Made entirely of stretch fabrication, it is a combination of comfort and luxury. Mesh plays a big part in this Spring/Summer 2014 collection and reinforces the athletic aesthetic, while still making the pieces more revealing with sexy silhouettes. The simple colour palette of black and white keeps the pieces looking modern and simplistic with pops of royal blue for interest. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been having the chance to really be creative, adventurous, and try new things with this collection.

Kimberly Leckey

Ksenia Veriguina

KSENIA VERIGUINA

My collection, Lights Out, is inspired by grunge music as well as the attitude and style of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. It embodies the feeling of rebellion, personality, carelessness and comfort, but without repeating the silhouettes of clothes that were popular when the grunge movement was at its peak. Dyeing and fabric smocking techniques were used to ensure that every piece is one of a kind. Upcycled fabrics were also used to keep the line sustainable while maintaining its individuality. The collection can be worn all year round and is designed for those with an edgy style who aren’t interested in following the norm. I focused on learning as many techniques as possible and have taken courses in fur design, corsetry, surface design and theatre costume construction. By showing me how to master these techniques and others, my professors have demonstrated that clothing construction is much more than operating a sewing machine and they are an enormous inspiration to me. My experience at Ryerson has broadened my imagination and provided me with the knowledge to help my visions come to life. I am very happy with what I’ve learned and I’m grateful to have met so many talented people.

Ksenia Veriguina

Leora Schlanger

LEORA SCHLANGER

My collection is a reflection of the soft and gentle textures found in nature and the illuminating warm light of a purple sky. Through knitting, I am exploring how the tactile qualities of yarn can inspire calm feelings. Little stitches represent tiny happy moments. I hope to communicate comfort through the nostalgic connection of diverse cultural knitting practices. The vibrant colours that sift through my neutral palette come from the magic of hand-painted yarn by Koigu Wool Design. After translating illustrated designs into sequenced notation the most rewarding feeling is discovering how they knit up one stitch at a time.

Leora Schlanger

Lindsay Ozimor

LINDSAY OZIMOR

The inspiration for my swim/beachwear collection began with exploring hues and patterns from seashells. However, as my line developed, it turned into an elegant and sophisticated all-white collection with simple one-piece bathing suits as well as cover-ups. I’ve never attempted to create a full collection; most of my work was designed as a single piece meant to stand alone. The process, as well as the amount of time and energy invested into developing several outfits that compliment one another and seeing them as a cohesive line has been very rewarding.

Lindsay Ozimor

Lucia Scivoletto

LUCIA SCIVOLETTO

This collection was designed around personal taste and inner belief and conception of feminine beauty, the female silhouette, and shaping and contouring fabrics that will help enhance the female body. Dark, as well as a punch of some bright and delicate fabrics, hand beading and lace will be used in order to convey and express the theme. Also, incorporating bright popular colors for the spring brings life and cohesiveness to the collection. The collection aims to showcase the woman’s figure in a very romantic and delicate manner, somewhat in a traditional way, while also incorporating unique styles and fabrics. Delicate, light fabrics and handwork are only a few elements that will be incorporated into this collection in order for it to express true femininity. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been being able to have complete freedom to design what you truly want to create, and make it come to life, and being part of every step that was required to get there, to have input on every detail and characteristic of each piece has really allowed me to express my true creativity.

Lucia Scivoletto

Malia Janveaux

MALIA JANVEAUX

My collection is inspired by the height of couture, which took place in the 50s. I was fascinated by all the handwork that goes into creating each garment and I have translated this idea into my collection. The collection is custom and made from luxury fabrics such as fur, wool and leather, featuring classic colours of red, grey and cream. A mix of hand sewing and machine sewing techniques are used on the garments as a modern take on traditional hand sewing. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been throwing myself into sewing the final garments. Sewing has long been a passion of mine and to be able to focus all my energy into the actual construction of the garments has been exhilarating.

Malia Janveaux

Mandy Dhillion

MANDY DHILLION

My collection is inspired by bohemian modern simplicity. The idea is to create clothes for women that are fluid and easy to move in; clothing that is versatile, comfortable and effortless. My clothing favors natural simplicity; the idea of less is more. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been seeing my illustrations come to life.

Mandy Dhillion

Mary Stratton

MARY STRATTON

The inspiration for my collection is the Canadian National Parks and the first explorers who discovered many of the sites. These sites are still beautiful and exciting places to explore as when they were first surveyed in the early 1900s. 2013 marked the 100th anniversary of Swiss Mountain guides coming to Canada, who were instrumental in showing Canadians that the mountains are natural playgrounds accessible to all for recreation. My own adventures in the Canadian National Parks spurred my interest in the heritage of these places. My research illuminated tales of early surveyors, such as Mary Schaffer, “Wild” Bill Peyto, Charles Doolittle Walcott, and Donald “Curly” Phillips, and the explorations they undertook into the backcountry of Canada. Their words, their clothing, and the scenery that we still see today, are all rooted in my collection, intending to inspire one to go out and find their own wilderness. The design process for my collection, a Found Wilderness, has been very exciting. Coupled with other courses, quick and frequent deadlines, and lack of readily available raw material resources, this process has felt, at times, very much like a runaway train. Seeing the sketches come to life in muslins, the fabrics fall into place and the finished product working towards being a cohesive collection has showed me that the goal of my collection is in focus. The most rewarding part is that this collection is doing what I set out to do and my level of excitement for it has surpassed what I anticipated.

Mary Stratton

Mary Young

MARY YOUNG

My self-titled collection of lingerie and loungewear was inspired by rap and hip-hop music, specifically during their introduction stages of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. These two genres use the theory of pastiche, defined as the art of modifying or restructing previous works in meaningful ways to be combined and to convey a new meaning, to create music. Further inspiration comes from the ill-defined genre of music created by The Weeknd and his modern use of pastiche, not only in his music but also found in his aesthetic and visual works. With these genres of music and use of pastiche as inspiration, my collection consists of different fabrics, techniques, and styles that result in each piece and look evoking the theory of pastiche. The most rewarding experience thus far has been seeing the garments and looks come to life. The hardest part of being a designer is having an image in your mind of what the final collection will look like and working day in and day out to produce it exactly as it is in your mind. Each time I create something new, I fear that it will not turn out the way that I’ve imagined it to. Thankfully, this collection is coming together exactly how I’ve imagined it.

Mary Young

Melissa Oswald

MELISSA OSWALD

My collection is inspired by the recent Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh in which over 1,100 garment factory workers lost their lives in what could have been a preventable disaster. The severity of this event pushed me to double my efforts to design a range of products that incorporates sustainable design practices, materials, and aesthetics. The public outcry from the disaster has made it clear that there is a large consumer demand for fashionable, sustainable apparel, and this collection has been designed in order to address those demands. The unique prints incorporated into the collection aim to increase awareness about sustainable fashion and current fashion industry practices, provoking viewers to question how they can further incorporate sustainability into their lives. The most rewarding experience of the design process has been designing and creating unique textiles that I use to sew my garments from because I feel it has doubled my range of creativity.

Melissa Oswald

Michelle Chung

MICHELLE CHUNG

My collection is inspired by the Native American dream catcher. It embodies the idea of a beautiful dream. The simple and radial weave of the dream catcher pattern is timeless and is explored throughout the collection. Colour is drawn from the colours of the night and the light of the moon and the stars. The most rewarding experience throughout the design process has been seeing my imaginations take on a physical shape.

Michelle Chung

Minhee Park

MINHEE PARK

My collection is inspired by intangible aspects of values and desires held by successful, stylish, working men. Dialogue between extreme tradition and exciting avant-garde is portrayed in this adventurous, contemporary collection. Classic aesthetics juxtaposed with contemporary vision through the use of different colours, patterns and textures make lives of men more enjoyable and colourful for the upcoming cold season. The collection is named after a Swedish word “Lagom”, meaning “not too much, not too little”, just what menswear should be. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been taking abstract ideas and turning them into a visible form with my own hands.

Minhee Park

Niki Yu

NIKI YU

The inspiration for my collection is The Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden is the place where life and existence began; it is believed that the first man and woman were created there. From this story, my collection expresses those who delight in finding freedom but are constricted by the realities of this world. My collection, Bounded by Eden is a women’s contemporary collection targeted to the niche market of petites. It encompasses a balance between structure and fluidity, focusing on lines, shapes and proportions to heighten and enhance the petite sized body. This collection incorporates white, black, navy and beige. The outfits are supposed to be reflective memories of a sanctuary where they can feel comfort and joy from within. Not giving a whim or care about the problems or issues in reality. The most rewarding experience throughout this design process has been understanding and knowing myself more. Even though the amount of work is immense and many times I would complain and want to give up. This journey is unreal, and I am glad I went through with it because it has made me understand how much passion and joy I have from seeing all these pieces come to life.

Niki Yu

Ostwald Au-Yeung

OSTWALD AU-YEUNG

My collection was inspired by imagery of woodland druids, insular art, and the film ‘The Dark Crystal’ by the creators of The Muppets, and the ‘The Secret of Kells’, directed by Tomm Moore. I liked the portrayals of magic, fantasy, and nature in these films, so I set out to create something I imagined the modern druid might wear by using saturated colours and unique textiles. The collection focuses on curvilinear and geometric elements to create intricate patterns, and hand worked techniques such as screen-printing, beading, and dyeing, to create visual interest. The most rewarding experience during the design process of my collection has been the learning process. I’ve been able to experiment with different technologies, techniques, and materials that I haven’t used before so I’ve gained a lot more experience in that respect. It’s also been great seeing my first collection grow and develop over the course of the year.

Ostwald Au-Yeung

Padina Bondar

PADINA BONDAR

Pink Diamond is a high-end bridal collection that caters to modern and chic brides that can be worn all year round in both a traditional or alternative manner. The garments featured in this collection are made of the best Italian silk and embellished by hand with Preciosa crystals. There is a strong emphasis on the craftsmanship put into creating these garments ensuring that quality is sold alongside style. All of the dresses in this collection are designed based upon traditional feminine silhouettes that emphasize women’s curves in order to create a sense of elegance; however, texture and beading are incorporated to achieve an alternative edge. Watching my initial muslin dresses transform and come to life as they were crafted in quality materials, and seeing the true potential of my designs come out in the finals has been an emotional and thoroughly rewarding experience with every piece so far.

Padina Bondar

Rachel Schafli

RACHEL SCHAFLI

My collection was designed around my love of snowboarding and the emotions I feel when rushing down the slopes – excitement, determination, exhilaration and satisfaction as your skills improve. There are times when snowboarders are focused and times when they’re relaxed and happy to revel in the sensation they are immersed in. My collection was designed to enhance that feeling; to allow movement and style. The most rewarding thing about my time at Ryerson is the amount that I’ve learned. I now have a high level of sewing skill, and understand many specialty fabrics as well as the techniques required to work with them.

Rachel Schafli

Rae Szereszewski

RAE SZERESZEWSKI

My capstone collection, Fluid Evolution, was inspired by the crystalline growths that create frost and snow, and is influenced by the creeping patterns that frost makes on glass panes. The most rewarding part of creating my collection was seeing the completed garments on models. I also wanted to prove that latex can be more than just fetish wear, and I believe I accomplished that goal.

Rae Szereszewski

Rani Kim

RANI KIM

Clothes affect the way we move, the way we hold ourselves, and the way we interact with others. Clothes also make us behave in a certain way. The tailored suit in the 1950s, for instance, gave men a sense of power. They symbolized the wearer’s success, authority, and class. The fifties’ tailoring of men’s suits brought conformity and conservatism in men’s behaviors and lives. My collection is the product of the past behaviors of men. My intention with this line is to create menswear that is creative and fashion-forward, while incorporating the classic tailoring techniques and masculine designs of the fifties. I want to remodel these past behaviors of men influenced by 1950’s tailoring. I believe that my collection will make men appear more masculine, confident, witty, tasteful, creative, and open-minded. Creating this menswear collection was amazing. There were many sleepless nights, but I dreamed the most.

Rani Kim

Rebecca Tan

REBECCA TAN

My collection is inspired by comic books and female super heroes. Bex aims to make every woman feel powerful and unstoppable while working out. The silhouettes are structural and are designed to accentuate the female body and bring out your inner superhero. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been learning so much about active wear apparel and all the details required to put together a collection. By experimentation and trial and error I have learnt so much about stretch fabrics and how to create functional active wear.

Rebecca Tan

Ryan Amore

RYAN AMORE

My collection is inspired by ancient Greek mythology, following the original Greek immortals: Poseidon, Zeus, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter. This collection incorporates many combinations of interesting and contrasting pattern fabrics while incorporating a variety of metal chains to create a unique representation of the Olympians. Forsaken also incorporates a variety of color ways such as gold, silver, brown, and blue to help create a God-like appearance. Custom weapons have been produced in silver, to finish off each immortal as they prepare for battle. The most rewarding experience throughout this endeavor has been allowing myself to experiment and see where my mind takes me. Producing a costume collection has provided me with an opportunity to really take me designs to the limit, allowing me to experiment with different materials such as: vinyl, leather, metal, and chain. It gives me great pleasure to see my characters come to life, from imagination to reality.

Ryan Amore

Ryan Ledoux

RYAN LEDOUX

My collection is inspired by American folk music, especially that collected by folklorist Alan Lomax in the early part of the 20th century. I used this theme to create clothing with the feeling of an era when folk music was part of peoples’ everyday lives. The collection features lots of denim and hard-wearing fabrics in earthy colors. The most rewarding part of the design process has been working among the lovely people who surround me: teachers, students and others slaving away at sewing machines all over Toronto.

Ryan Ledoux

Seungeun Aris Lee

SEUNGEUN ARIS LEE

The collection of Citizens of Heaven, dresses classic men from head to toe in simple, chic, and clean silhouettes infused with a youthful and semi- casual sensibility. The outfits are business casual attire that can be worn at the work place and can be translated in social life. The line focuses on creating outfits that reflect social status and personal identity that can be worn in different occasions. The collection consists of a coordination of trench coats, jackets, vests, shirts, pants, and shorts. The coordination creates a cohesive look together, but each can be mixed and matched with other garments so that men can effortlessly style their own looks. During the line developing process, I have done my research among men’s wear retail stores. I was able to find out that men prefer to wear skinny or European fit because it is a sharp and tailored fit that contours body shape well. Moreover, men prefer to wear two buttoned jackets instead of three in order to create a long, slim looking torso. Thus, jackets of Citizen of Heaven are designed with two buttons. Men are conscious of the aesthetics of outfits; they pay attention to the design details. Citizen of Heaven pays acute attention to design details with top stitches, princess lines, stylized patch pockets, contrasting fabrics, and shoulder and sleeve loops.

Seungeun Aris Lee

Sissi Ke

SISSI KE

My collection is inspired by the nature of ceramics. When I was on international exchange last semester in England, U.K., I had the opportunity to travel around Europe and visited many art museums. I clearly remember a sculpture of a vase with flowers, made of porcelain. It completely blew my mind of how a strong ceramic material could be sculpted into something so realistically delicate. I became intrigued in the concept of the juxtaposition of strong and soft materials, and wanted to bring that into fashion. My collection explores the unorthodox use of fabrics, mixing lambskin leather with soft fabrics such as silk, organza and satin, to produce a contemporary bridal collection. The most rewarding experience so far through the design process has been seeing my concept turn into reality. It is amazing to see my experimentation of the unorthodox use of materials come to life, as the fabrics balance beautifully against and with one another. It is an artistic and marketable collection for contemporary brides.

Sissi Ke

Som Kong

SOM KONG

Sweatshirt by Som Kong, is truly a reflection of myself – I am inspired by the wide range of things I have experienced through travelling but ultimately stemming from happiness and excitement to pain and disappointment. Using innovative techniques and an emphasis of the sweatshirt, I attempt to archive the emotions and memories that define me as a person an essentially as a designer. The most rewarding experience throughout the design process is making mistakes. It reminds me that I am learning something new.

Som Kong

Susan Jean

SUSAN JEAN

My collection is inspired by the life and works of William Morris. Morris was a pioneer in the Arts and Crafts movement and a formidable textile designer. This collection explores the use of traditional handcraft combined with modern techniques; specifically hand drawn prints and free-hand machine embroidery. It incorporates various shades of blue, a favorite colour of William Morris and used frequently in many Arts and Crafts pieces. The most rewarding experience so far throughout the design process has been learning how to fit plus-size women. When I started this collection, I had never made anything above a size 10 and now I was attempting to make plus-size suits! To say I was terrified is an understatement. But through much trial-and-error and a few tears, I have seen my vision come to life and it’s very exciting!

Susan Jean

Sydney Roney

SYDNEY RONEY

My Spring/Summer 2015 women’s contemporary collection is inspired by paradise: a dreamy and distant resort location that is seemingly unattainable. I explore this theme through my choice of romantic silhouettes, colours and fabrications. With a deep-rooted passion for visual art and graphic design, I designed my own textile prints to use alongside my found fabrics in this collection. I created these designs using a variety of images from resort locations, manipulating them on Photoshop and Illustrator, and then had them digitally printed onto fabrics. These prints, in combination with the fabrics from alternative sources as well as my choice of construction and design elements, create an overall dreamy and romantic look in my collection that strongly represents my theme of paradise. The most rewarding experience so far throughout my design process has been to see my textile designs after they had been digitally printed onto fabric. This is an area of my collection that I worked very hard on and cared deeply about, and so I was extremely pleased with the results. The textile design process has helped me realize that my love for visual art and graphic design could be translated into fashion design in a very successful and unique way. As a result, the design process so far has helped me realize that there are many different creative directions that I could take with a degree in fashion design, and these are areas of the industry that I would love to explore further.

Sydney Roney

Theresa Wilson

THERESA WILSON

For this collection, Bartolo turns to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, as inspiration. This Dubai landmark is known for its asymmetrical design and during sunset, the tower radiates hues of lavender and apricot. These colours are incorporated throughout the evening wear collection. Each gown reflects the opulent tower through the use of Swarovski crystals and interlaced binding. Ultimately, the collection transcends the statuesque silhouette of the tower and brings forth the essence of femininity. The most rewarding experience is to see everything come to fruition. From sketching to sourcing fabrics, every step of the design process has been truly exciting. It’s such a great feeling when your collection evolves into the dream you envisioned.

Theresa Wilson

Yael Shoham

YAEL SHOHAM

I was sitting on an enclosed wooden balcony when a ray of light shined between the boards and hit a cloud of cigarette smoke. It was then that came up with the name for my collection, Smoke In The Light. The idea is based on the notion of light, air, and smoke reflecting and moving as one. The idea translated into couture evening gowns made of layers starting with sequins that reflects the light that hits it, covered by light floral lace, acting like clouded smoke between the light and hand beaded silver and gold appliqué. The most rewarding experience throughout the design process, besides seeing my idea and inspiration become the gowns that I had only imagined for so long, was the process itself. Seeing how the dresses came together with one another and seeing all the work and intricacy that went in to the beading and detailing that is part of a couture collection.

Yael Shoham

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