About the Show Every year, hundreds of Ryerson students come together to create Mass Exodus—a tradition carried on since the early 80’s, as well as the largest student-run fashion event in North America. The event showcases the graduating design and communication students; The Runway show features the fourth year design students’ final collections and The Exhibit displays the fourth year communications students’ final thesis. The two-day event celebrates the students’ dedication and passion for the art of fashion. On April 7th and 8th 2011 Mass Exodus opens its doors to over 5000 spectators over the course of five shows. Our show attracts a broad audience, which includes high school and university students, faculty members and media. We also invite industry and entertainment professionals whom are in attendance each year. This year’s show is entitled Mass Exodus 2011: Zenith + Nadir. Zenith + Nadir is not a definable term but rather an open-ended interpretation of the idea of the unknown. It explores the question of what is above, what is below, and what lies between the reality in which we exist. The Runway show allows the viewer to question reality by opening their minds to unexpected shapes, concepts and colours that speak to the soul, and take a ride that has no definite path. This journey will be unique to each viewer, as the beauty of the aural and visual stimuli opens the mind to a world of possibilities understood in the context of individual experience. Zenith + Nadir represents the concepts pushing boundaries and pursuing goals. The audience moves through the darkness of Nadir, pulled away from reality and into the intriguing sense of the unknown – invoking a sense of unease. Upon the arrival of Zenith, the lightness and joy induce a euphoric sense of wonder. The viewer walks away inspired, as they have undergone personal reflection from piecing together the different elements of their surrounding environment to create and take away their own meanings.