News & Events

Danier CEO Jeffrey Wortsman announced the winners of the 4^th annual Danier Design Challenge at an intimate ceremony at Ryerson University last week Thursday.

The winning jacket design, entitled Exoskeletal, was created by fashion design student Ostwald Au-Yeung. His jacket was inspired by rogue taxidermy, specifically the works of Takeshi Yamada, an American-Japanese artist known for his fake creatures made of organic and inorganic materials. Currently on exchange in Hong Kong, Au-Keung will receive $5000 as well as an internship at Danier later this year.  

The Danier Design Challenge is an exclusive partnership between Ryerson and Danier. Each fall, third-year fashion design students are tasked with designing an original women’s leather jacket.  The challenge begins with sketches submitted by all design students; this year 56 students took part. Over two elimination rounds, the group of 56 was whittled down to 30 and then 15 students. Of those, a judges’ panel selected the top eleven students, who created their own designs in leather provided by Danier.

Student designer Som Kong took home second place. Kong was awarded $3000 and he will also receive on internship at Danier.  Kong’s jacket design, inspired by gothic architectural vaults, will also be produced by Danier for their fall 2013 line.

The competition saw a surplus of talent resulting in a three way tie for third place, with contestants Amy Tahmizian, Diana Li and Kamra Khalid each receiving $2000.

 Each year, the competition welcomes a revered panel of industry leaders to determine the final outcome. This year’s judges included Chair of Ryerson’s School of Fashion Robert Ott, Danier’s Chief Merchandising officer Olga Koel, TV personality and celebrated stylist Peter Papapetrou, Toronto Star Fashion Columnist Derick Chetty, Style Expert Sarah Francis and Globe and Mail Style Editor Tiyana Grulovic. All of the judges helped mentored the design students, offering their knowledge and expertise throughout the competition.

Exoskeletal, the winning design by Ryerson Fashion Design student Ostwald Au-Keung for the Danier Design Challenge, as worn by a model. In addition to a $5000 cash prize, Au-Keung will also receive an internship at Danier later this year.

Photo Credit: Bernard Leung/Ryerson University

Student designer Som Kong, left, with his winning leather jacket design, worn by a model.  Kong took home second place at this year’s Danier Design Challenge, earning him $3000 and an internship at Danier. His design will also be produced by Danier for their fall 2013 line.

Photo Credit: Bernard Leung/Ryerson University

This year’s Danier Design Challenge saw third place shared by three student designers.  Pictured here beside their winning designs are, Amy Tahmizian, far left, Diana Li, third from left and Kamra Khalid, second from right.

Photo Credit: Bernard Leung/Ryerson University

Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 28,000 students, including 2,300 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and 140,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past five years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT:

Johanna VanderMaas
Public Affairs
Ryerson University
Office: 416-979-5000 x 4630
johanna.vandermaas@ryerson.ca

Follow us @RyersonU

If you require this in another format, please contact Ryerson University Public Affairs at 416-979-5000 x 7134.