Students from Central Toronto Academy (CTA) have designed a shoe collection called Winter Kicks that has been incorporated into the permanent collection at North America’s largest shoe museum - Bata Shoe Museum located downtown Toronto.

Central Toronto Academy, aka the “6IX Academy” comprised of Graphic Design and Business students have produced a clothing and accessories brand as a way to build out a real-world community connection program through experiential learning, and have partnered up with Canadian business and fashion leaders for the latest capsule collection.

Called Winter Kicks, the grey sneakers lined with fluff were created by students in a special business program at Central Toronto Academy, nicknamed 6IXAcademy, in partnership with Canadian fashion brand Sully Wong. The shoes were officially launched at Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum on October 25, 2019. Students, staff and mentors involved with the program hosted the 6IX Academy’s annual launch event that included a Winter Kicks fashion show all while one of CTA’s own DJ’d the event.

This school program pairs students with industry mentors, providing real-world experience for students. This is something that the 6IXAcademy program focuses on; giving Grade 11 and 12 students the opportunity to work with professional mentors and gain real-world experience with the program driven by student voice and vision.

Want to see how the launch went and learn more about Winter Kicks? Watch the CBC Kids segment.