The Branded Transition Material Project (BMTP) began in 2022 in response to Ryerson’s transformation into Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Thanks to the efforts of Indigenous leadership, the Standing Strong Task Force and allies across campus, the campus has been going through a massive overhaul and revival.
Implementing these changes revealed a massive store of Ryerson branded garments, both new and old, as well as heaps of objects, uniforms and other sundry items—some practical, some peculiar, and some… well, destined to perplex and gather dust. Yet these remnants of the past did not not simply vanish—rather, they lingered, asking to be reimagined. And that is where the BMTP stepped in, committed to repurposing and recycling this motley collection of garments and goods as a reminder to TMU’s present, past and future student body that what we create endures, for better or worse. How could we ensure that Ryerson branded gear does not end up in landfills but instead is responsibly recycled or disposed of?
Spearheaded by Dr. Anika Kozlowski, the Upcycled Gear Collection Fashion Show and Exhibition held in fall 2022, marked one of the first major diversion initiatives at TMU. Building on this momentum, fashion designer and visual artist Narishdath Maraj—founder of Narishdath Maraj Designer Inc. and creative director at m polo designs—led a series of collaborative workshops with a view toward extending Dr. Kozlowski’s efforts further. Among the most popular were the widely attended “Dismantling Parties” hosted in collaboration with the Design Fabrication Zone (TMU) a few times in 2023 and 2024.
These sessions invited participants to contribute their time and goodwill to disassembling large quantities of discarded Ryerson materials. Over 20,000 lanyards were dismantled—metal clips were returned to vendors for reuse, while the plastic components were donated through the Partners in Project Green Material Exchange program. The remaining synthetic woven lanyard straps would go on to inspire further creative reuse initiatives.
On March 17th 2025, 5à7 partnered with the Sustainable Fashion Initiative at the School of Fashion (TMU), to host their first workshop, “Together from Fragments”, designed specifically for TMU students. Participants learned to disassemble the factory-made lanyards, prepare and card the lanyard fiber, and spin their own yarn—giving discarded materials a meaningful second life.
The session introduced participants to sustainable design thinking through hands-on practice in disassembly and reassembly, while also contributing to a broader campus recycling initiative by repurposing Ryerson-branded materials. As a token of appreciation, each participant received a small, weaving loom made from acrylic scraps sourced from the Design + Technology LAB (TMU).
The carded fibres and yarns spun during the workshop were later used to develop woven samples, and both the lanyard repurposing process and woven prototypes were featured in the Alternative Sustainable Fashion Practices Exhibition. Curated by Emma Piercey, the Rchive event took place at the Toronto Reference Library on May 24, 2025.
5à7 is a creative initiative dedicated to reimagining textile waste through sustainable material deconstruction and reconstruction. Inspired by the collaborative process and outcomes of the Together from Fragments workshop, 5à7 was co-founded by TMU instructor Tricia Crivellaro and student Ashwini Joseph. It aims to serve as a platform for experimentation, collaboration, and circular design thinking—grounded in the belief that every last bit of waste holds potential and deserves a second life beyond the landfill.
5à7 is currently seeking new spaces and collaborators for future workshops. If you’re interested in partnering, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Tricia’s personal reflections on the BMTP project:
Over the past few semesters teaching at TMU, I have encouraged fashion students to reuse the Ryerson branded surplus gear as part of the“Upcycled Top Project” in FFD 213 Fashion Design II. Students have applied various repurposing techniques—such as draping, dyeing, and embroidery—to creatively conceal Ryerson logos and reconstruct the materials. Notable examples include Piper Wilkinson-Wingham, who transformed Rams denim caps into a new top, and Mae Archibald, who upcycled a Ryerson tour guide vest into a completely reimagined piece.
Last June 2025, I organized an upcycling workshop as part of the Couture & Culture Program, in collaboration with the Nia Centre for the Arts and the School of Fashion at TMU. While sourcing garments for participants to drape and upcycle, I thought—why not repurpose some of the remaining Ryerson gear? We still have so much left!
When I opened the storage room boxes, I was surprised to find fewer items than initially expected. I later learned from Narish that some of them—mainly t-shirts, scarves, and winter hats—had been donated to organizations such as Homeless Connect Toronto and Ve’ahavta. Other initiatives, like a Yarn Making Workshop with The Fashion Zone (TMU), also contributed to upcycling the branded garments and accessories.
Discovering that our stockpile of gear was finally starting to dwindle came as a welcome relief and was a heartfelt reminder of everyone’s efforts on this project.
As I reflect on how far we’ve come, I can’t help but think of all the remarkable people who have played a part in this initiative. Sustaining it requires dedication, passion—and perhaps even a little madness! Our team had to continuously work to sort, organize, and make sense of an overwhelming volume of stuff as boxes upon boxes kept arriving at our door. We have designed and redesigned, deconstructed and reconstructed our way through it all—with boundless perseverance, deep patience, and countless illuminating conversations.
The dedicated leaders and collaborators—designers, TMU staff, students, artists, partners, alumni, external collaborators—who have committed themselves to seeing this project through gives me real hope. Together, we are building a more sustainable fashion future.
Tricia Crivellaro (she/her/elle) is an independent researcher and artist/designer based in Montréal and Toronto, Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Fashion from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Crivellaro is currently a Contract Lecturer in Fashion Design at the School of Fashion at TMU.