Twenty Toronto Metropolitan University students enrolled in Canada’s first-ever costume design program Carnival Arts will be displaying their 3-D “larger than life” designs at The Creative School downtown.
The 12-week course is meant to support the history of Caribbean Carnival and how fashion designers can continue the growth of the carnival industry.
“It’s not just a street party, Carnival is a representation of our ancestors’ freedom, unity, and liberty,” course professor and founder of costume designing company SugaCayne Candice Dixon told Now Toronto.
Students learn about Carnival characters and what they represent along with how different storytelling themes are portrayed in the costumes.
Dixon came up with the course last year after she noticed a gap in wire bending and how comfortable young people are with relying on technology in the fashion industry.
Wire is the main structure used in elaborate headpieces, back pieces, and leg pieces, according to Dixon.
READ MORE: Dirty Medics is bringing island vibes to Toronto by highlighting Indo-Caribbean culture
However, Dixon explains seasoned “wirebenders” are getting older and the knowledge isn’t getting passed down to the younger generation.
The hands-on design part of the course focuses on this along with 3D printing, thermoforming, and laser-cutting.
“Students get to learn an older art form while using technology that’s available that they use in their daily lives,” she said.
A large portion of the class is centred around sustainability by using materials like melting down shopping bags and water bottles to make fish scales and elements without having to go out and buy new items.
“We in the carnival community are good at creating material from odd pieces,” Dixon shares.
Dixon and Toronto Metropolitan University are looking to expand the course to other student faculties as well as the continuing education department for anyone interested in learning more about Caribbean Carnival.
Canada’s first university student-run Carnival fashion showcase is happening this Friday at 6:30 p.m.
