Mantella Corporation Presents The Politics of Fashion/The Fashion of Politics

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 7, 2014) - Mantella Corporation has quickly made a name for itself as one of Toronto's premier supporters of the arts, recently taking on the role of presenting sponsor of arguably the city's most illuminating fashion exhibition: The Politics of Fashion / The Fashion of Politics.

Launched at the Design Exchange this past September, POF / FOP explores the intellectual side of fashion and its commentary on identity and politics. Tying together the common threads between style and statement, classic and controversy, propaganda and protest, this exhibition illustrates how fashion is more than clothing - it's a medium of expression that influences ideas, attitudes and movements.

"The importance of an exhibition such as this can't be understated," says Robert Mantella, president and CEO of Mantella Corporation, a family-owned real estate developer of more than 65 years. "POF / FOP is both an educational experience and a thought-out response to criticisms that fashion is shallow and superficial. It demonstrates that the clothing we wear can have a much deeper message."

Curated by Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker and staged by Canadian fashion designer Jeremy Laing, POF / FOP includes over 200 pieces from world-renowned designers such as Hussein Chalayan, Jeremy Scott and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, with additional items loaned by the house of Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Rudi Gernreich.

POF / FOP features influential attire reflecting defining moments from the 1960s to the modern day, including paper dresses from the campaigns of Richard Nixon, Robert Kennedy and Pierre Trudeau, as well as Rad Hourani's Unisex Haute Couture collection and Vivienne Westwood's God Save the Queen T-shirt from 1977.

"Jeanne Beker has done such an incredible job at selecting influential pieces that not only helped shape our past but show us a glimpse of the future," adds Mantella, whose company was also a major sponsor of the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards and Suzanne Rogers Presents: Zac Posen earlier this year. "It's amazing to see just how influential an article of clothing can really be, and we're honoured to support an exhibition as enlightening as this."

The Mantella Corporation is also a supporter of numerous other charitable causes, including ONEXONE, Ronald McDonald House, Scrubs in the City and Amore Without Borders.

The Politics of Fashion / The Fashion of Politics runs from Sept. 18 - Jan. 25, 2015 at the Design Exchange.

ABOUT THE MANTELLA CORPORATION

Since 1946, Mantella Corporation has stood as one of the most highly respected real estate developers in Canada. Founded by Anthony Mantella, Mantella Corporation's expertise ranges from industrial warehouses to luxury condominiums, retail plazas to custom homes. Currently under the guidance of Robert Mantella, Anthony's grandson, this family-operated enterprise expanded its breadth in 2008 to launch Mantella Venture Partners, a $20-million early stage start-up fund that invests in innovative software businesses. Mantella Corporation is also highly committed to community involvement, supporting numerous national and international charities, including ONEXONE, Ronald McDonald House Toronto and Amore Without Borders.

For more on Mantella Corporation's philanthropic work, visit www.mantella.ca.