A dress by Corinne Furniss encorporated Wanderlust flyers into the design to promote the event happening Wednesday, April 13 at Arcadian Court.

Janine Bartels

Less than a week after their fourth-year peers strut down the runway at Mass Exodus, second and third-year fashion students are gearing up to show what they have to offer at Wanderlust.

Wanderlust is  Ryerson’s second student-run fashion show put on by the fashion event-planning course with all second and third-year fashion students contributing their designs.

What started as a brainstorming session where students were asked to shout out words of inspiration, the theme of this year’s show became represented by three words: intoxicating, enchanting and romantic.

“Wanderlust was a perfect name for the show,” said Danielle Barich, the show’s project lead. “It can mean different things to everyone, but it’s always passionate.”

The students have taken on numerous roles from head of public relations to designer to backstage stylist.

While maintaining passing grades in five other courses, the students have put sleep aside in order to invite members of the media, find models and sponsors, sell tickets, find sponsors, and design one or two garments to show on the runway.

Barich even dropped one class in order to dedicate more time to the show.

“I would rather have this on my resume than one line saying I completed all six courses on time,” she said. “It is also great preparation for Mass Ex(odus) next year.” Wanderlust will feature 110 designers represented in two categories: evening wear and menswear.

Emily Swift is a stylist and backstage lead for the show who says one of the hardest parts in putting it all together is that the students’ garments weren’t designed around the theme.

“We spent an entire Saturday sorting through all of the garments - now that they are finished - and put them in an order that flows and makes sense visually,” said Swift.

Shoshanah Kuper is a second-year fashion student who is showing her design in the evening wear category. Her gown, which is blue-grey in colour with cream feather accents and a long, flowing train, was inspired by the light blue sky and snow-covered tree branches she saw one day while looking out her office window. Now that Kuper is done her designs she looks forward to seeing what her fellow students have created.

“I’ve spent the last three months with my head down, sewing,” said Kuper. “I have no idea what anyone else has made.”

Kuper isn’t the only designer who has spent the last three months enveloped in fabric and zippers. Michelle Roberts is a third-year fashion student who, along with several group members, has designed two garments for Wanderlust’s menswear runway show.

“I haven’t seen what anyone else has made,” said Roberts. “I am really excited to see what they have come up with.”

Several judges, who currently work in Toronto’s fashion industry, will grade the students’ designs as they come down the runway. The students responsible for planning the event will also be given a grade by professors, taking into consideration the number of media professionals that attend and the overall success of the show.

For the students, however, the best part has been the experience they’ve gained and the relationships they’ve formed.

Neda Kalantar, part of the show’s public relations team, says Wanderlust has really brought the entire School of Fashion together.

“I’m feeling really proud,” she said. “Everyone has really pulled together and now we are one big, fashionable family.” 

Wanderlust  takes place on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at  Arcadian Court - 401 Bay St.    

EVENINGWEAR:
6:30pm & 8:30pm
Simpson Tower, 8th Floor
 
MENSWEAR:
 7:30pm & 9:30pm

TICKETS:
$15 for one show
 $25 for two shows