Last night I got to check out the top 25 graduate collections from the Ryerson School of Fashion.  There were some very impressive collections at Mass Exodus, and thanks to a really stellar seat, I even got a few decent shots of some of my favourites.  You can click the photos to see full size.

Aimee Tobalka – I think this one was my overall favourite – not overdesigned but still gutsy.

Jennifer Allison + major bonus points for having a website!

Martha Sharpe

Meghan Roche

Two other favourites I didn’t get good pictures of were Flora Matheson’s geometric cuts and drapey neutrals, and Chassandre Lavictoire’s monochromantic (I think I invented that word in my notes), vintage inspired dresses.  I hear that there are also some stand-out collections that didn’t make the top 25.

Mass Exodus is always an over-the-top big production, with the schools of Fashion Communications and Theatre Arts also showing off all they can do.  This year the makeup and hair didn’t compete with the clothes, though as usual all the background noise made taking pictures of the clothes difficult.

There are always seems to be some common details that seem to pop up in many diverse collections.  This year, it was the center-back godet on the pencil skirts – which, given how many bondage skirts I saw at LGFW, gives me a lot of hope for a future where more designers will allow their models to walk properly.

Things I love about student collections: you will see some details that are incredibly labour intensive and experimental.  Also, you can see some collections that gloriously ignore conventions of taste and the necessities of the market and even the necessity of movement.  These collections are always exciting to see.

If you can still get a ticket, you should go and see for yourself.

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