Fashion students shine at Toronto’s favourite shopping popup

Students showcased and sold their sustainable and inventive designs at INLAND

By: Chloe Bard

May 23, 2023

Fashion students from The Creative School program put their designs on display at INLAND, an in-person pop-up shopping community that showcases Canada's most celebrated and up-and-coming fashion designers and creators. The INLAND spring pop-up took place May 6 to 8 in the heart of Yorkville at the historic Lillian Massey building. The pop-up featured over 75 Canadian designers, including 12 undergraduate and graduate Fashion students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).

Mannequins placed in a circle showcasing students' work at INLAND

A hand is holding up a postcard. Printed on the card is an open-mouthed woman with a flower on her tongue. INLAND is written at the bottom of the card.

Founded in 2014 by Sarah Power, INLAND advocates for diverse representation and aims to empower local voices and celebrate the diversity of Canadian designers. This year, INLAND collaborated with Fashion at The Creative School, naming TMU as the official learning partner for the pop-up. The new partnership provided Fashion students with the incredible opportunity to showcase and sell their designs while engaging with the public in a real-life learning lab environment. While INLAND took over both levels of the space for the spring pop-up, Fashion students housed their designs exclusively on the lower level.

“Fashion at The Creative School, supported by the AnnKM Fashion & Social Impact Initiative, is thrilled to partner with INLAND in support of upcoming local designers and establish new pathways for sustainable and inclusive fashion,” said Fashion Chair Joseph Medaglia. “Not only was this an excellent opportunity for our fashion students to network and gain exposure, but also for Toronto to witness the thoughtful creativity, drive, and values that underpin fashion education at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.”

The collaboration received the spotlight from media outlets including blogTO (external link) , Toronto Star (external link) , and Fashion Magazine (external link) to name a few, recognizing concepts from The Creative School’s student designers.

Student labels on display

Twelve students from the Fashion program showcased their original designs in a storefront collection available for the public to browse and purchase. Students displayed their handmade bags, jewellery, garments, and apparel, all representing their unique style and brand. Amanda Pearn (external link) , Angel Giorgio and Alessia Newberry (external link) , Brigitte Comeau (external link) , Clarissa Schüll, (external link) Delfina Russo (external link) , Eva Licata (external link) , Gaelle Chan Tam Chan (external link) , Hyla Golden Del Castillo (external link) , Jo-Ann Harris (external link) , Maxime Chercover (external link) , Portia Alight (external link) , Precious Ayolade (external link) , Serena Li (external link) , Vanessa Nguyen, (external link) and Hayley Spurdle (external link) were the student designers that participated in the INLAND partnership opportunity.

Among the 12 student collections was fourth-year Fashion student Eva Licata’s Spicy Princess, (external link) a Toronto-based fashion label prioritizing sustainable pieces and inventive designs. To minimize its environmental impact, the brand uses natural fabrics and upcycled materials operating on a made-to-order process.

“Spicy Princess produces collections that incorporate sustainability, design innovation, as well as style; this isn't something the mass market fully understands or is looking for yet,” Licata said.

Licata created a bag with four variations to be used for multiple occasions and purposes. She debuted Spicy Princess’s “Up-Cycled Satin Spicy Mini” collection at INLAND, a small batch collection featuring her signature “Spicy Mini” bag designs made from up-cycled deadstock satin.

An image is split into 4 sections showcasing different ways to wear the bag in its different colour variations.

Green Satin & Tan Spicy Mini

“I decided to focus on bags and accessories for INLAND because they're environmentally and financially affordable,” she explained. “Overconsumption is a huge environmental and financial problem, as many consumers purchase more than needed to have an endless supply of options.”

To see the Fashion student’s collections and items available purchase, check out @fashion_tmu (external link) on Instagram and INLAND's website. (external link)

An exterior of a building with signs on each side with "INLAND" written on them.

The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.