Canadian design duo Dexter and Byron Peart named curators for Mass Exodus 2017
TORONTO, March 29th, 2017 --- On April 8th 2017, Ryerson University’s School of Fashion will host their annual fashion event, Mass Exodus, at a new location off campus, welcoming a Canadian fashion design duo to the scene. Leather goods and accessories designers Byron and Dexter Peart (external link) will join Mass Exodus as the show’s curators, reviewing this year’s student collections to create a final evening show on April 8th at Daniels Spectrum.
Montreal-based co-founders of WANT Les Essentiels, the twin brothers are known for their luxury accessory label that focuses on an innovative approach to functional and fashionable luggage and bags. They are also the creatives behind the WANT Apothecary retail concept with stores in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and also boast two Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards for their architecture-inspired accessories. The Peart brothers are included on the Business of Fashion’s BoF 500, an index of individuals shaping the global fashion industry, and have been included on Fast Company’s Most Creative People list.
As curators for Mass Exodus (external link) , the Pearts will review the collections shown throughout the day at Daniels Spectrum and select approximately 15 students to showcase their design work in the curated invite-only evening show. The careful selection process ensures a curated show that reflects the School of Fashion’s guiding principles of diversity, innovation, heritage and community.
“Dexter and Byron Peart bring a wealth of experience in business and fashion, having built one of the top global accessory brands with functionality and culture at its core,” said Sandra Tullio-Pow, interim Chair of the Ryerson School of Fashion. “We’re thrilled to welcome the designers to Mass Exodus where they will provide Ryerson’s emerging fashion designers with invaluable insight into global trends and best practices.”
Since 1988, Mass Exodus has provided a perspective into the creative minds of its students through the lens of fashion and production. Mass Exodus showcases the final collections of fourth year Fashion Design students as part of the runway shows and capstone projects of Fashion Communications students in the exhibit. The Pearts’ alignment with the School of Fashion comes at a time of great change as Mass Exodus announces it has moved off Ryerson University’s campus and grown into a week-long event known as Mass Exodus Fashion Week.
“We are very excited to participate in Mass Exodus. This a great opportunity for us to see the next generation of Canadian design talents taking shape with their own unique perspectives and aesthetics,” say Byron and Dexter Peart.
Mass Exodus 2017 will be the twenty-ninth year of the show’s production. Three separate runway shows to take place on Saturday, April 8th at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. will present collections of fourth year design students, the final invite-only curated show will take place that evening. The final capstone projects of Fashion Communications students will also be on display at the Mattamy Athletic Centre Alumni Lounge noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4th.
Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 44,500 students, including 2,400 master's and PhD students, 3,200 faculty and staff, and nearly 170,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.torontomu.ca
- 30 -
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dasha Pasiy
Ryerson University | Public Affairs
dasha1.pasiy@torontomu.ca
416.979.5000 x 2126