Summer Design Camps

The Design Exchange offers engaging fashion and design based day camps, conveniently located 2 minutes from Union Station, in the inspiring former Stock Exchange building. Curbside drop off and pick up is available, as well as before and after care.

For more information contact the Camp Director at 416.216.2138 or education@dx.org

CAMP SESSIONS

Week 1* July 2 to 5

Superstructures (SOLD OUT)
Ages 9 to 12
Participants in this session will learn what it takes to design amazing structures while building and testing their own models. We will be designing and building geodesic domes, giant roller coasters, and extreme RVs! Campers will meet a superstructure designer and visit some local marvels for inspiration.

Shoe Design
Ages 12 to 14
In honour of the Christian Louboutin exhibition that will be on at the DX this summer, we absolutely had to have a camp that celebrates shoes! Participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at the show and take a trip to the Bata Shoe Museum for inspiration before taking on challenges that involve the iconic ballet flat, sneakers and a sewing project incorporating Louboutin red!

Week 2 July 8 to 12

INsideOUT
Ages 7 to 9
This weeklong session will explore both interior design and architecture through hands-on projects where we will create spectacular spaces.
We will work together to create a luxury hotel with all of the amenities, create our own light fixtures, and look at landscape architecture before designing our own mini gardens!

Summer Fling
Ages 10 to 12
Breezy, effortless pieces are the theme of the week! We will create light, flowing skirts, accessories using fun summery colours, and a stylish beach-ready tote bag from our own summer-themed printed fabrics!

Week 3 July 15 to 19

Rock Star (SOLD OUT)
Ages 7 to 9
Young designers will create band t-shirts, album covers, and rock star accessories for their ultra-hip, fictitious music group, as well as over-the-top stages for the band’s world tour! We will also have a chance to meet a cool local designer and talk about design careers in the music industry.

Fashion Styling
Ages 10 to 12
Participants in this one-week camp will learn the fashion styling ropes from dressing models to scouting locations. Projects will include hats and accessories, as well as summer shorts. Art directing our own photo shoots and creating a magazine spread will round out the week.

Week 4 July 22 to 26

Creature Comforts
Ages 6 to 8
Creating our own creatures from stitching to stuffing is just the beginning for this hands-on camp. We will be building environments, creating packaging and lots of fun accessories!

Retro Fashion
Ages 9 to 11
Looking at fashion design through time, projects will be inspired by various iconic decades but given a modern twist. This is a fun week full of colour and texture, with creative and fun projects like photo-printing fabric and neon accessories.

Week 5 July 29 to August 2

Toy Design
Ages 7 to 10
This will be a fun week of toy design exploration! Participants will meet a local toy designer and try their hands at creating their own toys that move, design their own board games and create commercials to promote them!

Bling
Ages 10 to 12
The theme of this week is glamorize! We will create basic pieces from totes to a wrap skirt and then make them even more fabulous with embellishment techniques like beading. We will also visit a local jewellery studio for inspiration before tackling an amazing accessory project!

Week 6* August 6 to 9

Drama + Design
Ages 7 to 14
In partnership with Canadian Stage, participants in this one-week camp will develop a performance, from staging to costumes, props, and sets. We will be visited by guest designers and theatre specialists and be treated to a performance for campers and their parents, of the Canadian Stage Shakespeare in High Park, including a backstage tour.
There will be a performance for family and friends on Friday August 9.

Presented in partnership with

Drawing Fashion
Ages 9 to 12
A creative and fun look at fashion illustration and textile design. Young designers will learn about drawing the human body and how to illustrate their own fashion ideas. We will meet with local designers and artists, create look-books and design our own fabrics, which will be used to create a stylish bag or skirt.

Week 7 August 12 to 16

Drama + Design
Ages 7 to 14
In partnership with Canadian Stage, participants in this one-week camp will develop a performance, from staging to costumes, props, and sets. We will be visited by guest designers and theatre specialists and be treated to a performance for campers and their parents, of the Canadian Stage Shakespeare in High Park, including a backstage tour. There will be a performance for family and friends on Friday August 16.
Presented in partnership with

Chic
Ages 12 to 14
Unique personal style is the theme of this week! We will start by creating some basic pieces and then explore how we can make them our own through signature accessories and other styling techniques. We will look at some famous trendsetters to determine how we can create our own signature style!

Week 8 August 19 to 23

Design Circus
Ages 6 to 8
Drawing inspiration from famous circuses around the world, we will attempt some death-defying design projects! Glitzy costumes, marvelous masks, circus vehicles and giant tents will make this an action-packed and fun week!

Fashion for Film
Ages 10 to 12
Celebrating the major role that fashion plays in film, we will create pieces inspired by movie classics of yesterday and today. Projects will include fascinators, movie-star clutch purses, and the iconic little black dress!

Week 9 August 26 to 30

Colossal
Ages 8 to 10
Amazingly BIG design is the theme of the week! We will tackle projects like planetary terrariums, super-sized slides, and a trip to a local beach for truly colossal sand castles!

Ready to Wear
Ages 10 to 12
Participants will explore the world of Ready to Wear fashion, learn about fashion illustration, basic pattern and sewing techniques, and complete one garment project and a host of accessories by week’s end. A chance to meet a local designer and a studio visit will be a highlight during this week.

* (PRO-RATED SHORT WEEK)