Fashion students from Ryerson came together to showcase over 30 young designers in the first wearable art show held at the Gladstone Hotel this past Wednesday. 

“This is a show that was made to give a voice to the designers,” said Alysia Myette, a designer and co-organizer of the show. 

Over 80 looks were presented on the runway of this sold-out event. Designers were encouraged to bring forth innovative and thought-provoking pieces by exploring multimedia fashion designs that demonstrate three different approaches of art inspired evening wear, sculpture, and unconventional materials, which push what can be worn on the body. 

A model held onto her crotch, before sensually dancing and touching her body to spoken poetry with profane language.  

“You are going to see latex, wax, paper, and much, much more,” said Ketzia Sherman , co-organizer and presenter at the show. 

Pieces made from latex were reminiscent of popular icons such as Marilyn Monroe in her white dress, and Audrey Hepburn’s signature Breakfast at Tiffany’s look – a naughty twist on the classics.

The show’s co-organizers teamed up that night with St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club to raise money for the art charity. 

“This gives an opportunity for the kids at St. Alban’s to have a place to go to where they can escape – instead of the streets. The art programs provide that safe space for the kids,” said Charles Haugh who works with the not-for-profit organization and is a second-year Ryerson child and youth care student. “This money will provide all the necessary materials and costumes that they need when they create their work of art.”

But the focus was not only on the charity, but also on the university’s designers. 

“Honestly, I was disappointed to find out that something like this hasn’t been done at Ryerson yet. That is why I decided to introduce the idea,” said Myette. “There is no other event like this in Toronto.” 

The fashion design students were given no themes or boundaries. They were encouraged to create whatever they wanted. 

“And they did. Hair pieces were attached to clothes, and they used unconventional and difficult-to-work with materials like paper, plastic and metal.

“It isn’t a class project, which is nice,” said Sherman.

First-year fashion design student Michael (Zoff) Zoffranien used the show to introduce his entire fall/winter 2013 collection, titled “Dalmatians Are Not Dead.” 

Halfway through the fast-paced show, the designer shifted the tone. He slowed things down, centered his model on stage and physically created a full garment from start to finish.

He then introduced the rest of his collection, which featured graphic prints mixed with realand faux furs, and leathers. 

“I wanted to illustrate the beauty in simplicity. I just wanted to drape my model with scrap fabric and show that something doesn’t always need to be loud and flashy to make a statement,” said Zoffranien.

Although some found the transitions of the show to be awkward and uncomfortable, others thought the pieces were riveting. 

“I was absolutely shocked by those headdresses, with the male model dressed up in drag. It was great,” said Sorieda Sarun about Myette’s designs.

“Other pieces that were interesting and stood out to me was Sarah Hyland’s dress made of money, as well as the solar system outfit,” said Zoffranien. 

“The show exceeded our expectations,” said Sherman. 

Over $1,100 was raised for the St. Alban's charity that night.