Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) is known for being an immersive art experience; a creative showcase of a variety of fashion presentations, runway shows, and performances, featuring the innovations of Canadian artists and designers. It is the longest-running fashion show, highlighting the diversity, inclusivity, and supportive community of Canada. This is amongst the most influential and anticipated events in the country, displaying collections experimenting with techniques and materials, and challenging social norms. Experience an array of themes such as gender identity, sustainability, social justice, and cultural heritage in Fashion Art Toronto.
FAT took place from Thursday, 16th November 2023 to Sunday, 19th November 2023, at Toronto’s Design Exchange venue, showcasing the collection from 40 different fashion designers. Let’s get to know more about the show in this blog!
History of Fashion Art Toronto
Established in 2005, Fashion Art Toronto was founded by Vanja Vasic, who was a visionary and fashion designer. This is not only a fashion show but a public platform for designers, up-and-coming and established, to express themselves through artistic fashion. It has been a leading fashion event in Canada for the last 18 years, showcasing models from diverse backgrounds, diverse colours, body types, disabilities, and the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Throughout the years, this event has collaborated with a plethora of fashion institutions, galleries, community organizations, and museums. Attracting local and international artists and designers has built a sense of cultural exchange and global connection within the fashion industry. Prominent media outlets, such as Elle Canada, Fashion Magazine, and Vogue have featured Fashion Art Toronto as a key event for fashion industry enthusiasts and professionals. It is a platform for art lovers to witness the future of fashion and discover new emerging talent.
Impact of Fashion Art Toronto on the Canadian Fashion Landscape
This fashion showcase has had a significant impact on the Canadian audience and the overall fashion industry. Let’s look at some of the significant factors of the same:
Supporting Up-and-Coming Talent
FAT has played a significant role in promoting new artists and designers by allowing them to showcase their work in traditional fashion events. It has helped nurture and discover up-and-coming talent within the Canadian fashion industry.
Experimenting with Fashion
It is committed to encouraging experimental fashion and has frequently brought forward challenging notions that result in unique innovative creations. This experimentation with fashion has diversified and enriched the Canadian fashion landscape.
Honoring Inclusivity and Diversity
By featuring talents from diverse backgrounds, FAT has significantly challenged the traditional beauty standards. It has given a reputed platform to the unheard voices of marginalized communities, helping create an inclusive representation of the fashion industry in the country. Well-known models like Myles Sexton, Winnie Harlow, and Monika Mayers have been nurtured by this prestigious platform, giving way to gender fluidity, trans and plus-size models, diverse bodies, and people with disabilities.
Alternative Fashion Scene
Talking about cultivating an alternate fashion scene, FAT has played a big role in the diversification of the fashion landscape by expanding its creative limitations to a community of fashion enthusiasts who embrace different cultures and aesthetics. It has welcomed non-mainstream and unconventional fashion in the country!
Collaboration and Creativity
With the incorporation of several art forms, like performance art, visual arts, multimedia, and music, Fashion Art Toronto has brought forward a collaborative spirit of different disciplines into the industry. The exchange of ideas and collaborations among fashion designers and artists has given a new approach to fashion.
Format of the Event
FAT is a four-day event with several exhibitions, runway shows, performances, installations, and panel discussions. It’s a platform for new designers to display their work alongside renowned designers, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate and work under the mentorship of veteran professionals. Fashion Art Toronto timing was from 06:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
Designers participating in the event could choose to present a solo runway show or be part of a group show. The group show presents about 8 to 12 looks, has a shared time slot with 2 to 3 other designers, and has seating of about 500 with 200 standing. In solo shows, designers have independent shows and solo time slots where they present 15 to 30 different looks.
Designers get to present any type of work ranging from ready-to-wear, couture, lingerie, experimental fashion, evening wear, etc. FAT continues to adapt, bringing change into the fashion and art landscape, and providing a space for dialogue and critical engagement with contemporary issues.
Today, Fashion Art Toronto serves as a hub for the mixing of fashion and art in Canada, fostering creativity and experimentation within the industry. It continues to inspire and redefine the relationship between fashion, art, and society. The fashion presentations are an artistic grouping where the audience gets to walk through the space just like in an exhibition. Designers get the showcase of 5 to 8 looks in these presentations.
With runway shows, fashion presentations, art installations, a Fashion and Beauty Boutique and The Boutique Pop-Up a curated shop highlighting black-owned brands, Fashion Art Toronto provides an immersive and inclusive fashion experience. This season also included the first-ever Club Catwalk –- a fashion-inspired rave where partygoers got to dance on the runway.
Fashion Art Toronto Price
Price tickets for Fashion Art Toronto varied according to weekdays, weekends, VIPs, media persons, students, and the general public. There were different passes for the shows, Fashion Presentations & Pop-Up Shops, and art exhibits. The tickets were available on several websites, including Fashion Art Toronto’s official website, 10times.com, and more.
Sponsors for the Event
Being a non-profit organisation, FAT is dedicated to exploring arts and fashion through the street and contemporary expression. They have several sponsors and supporters that contribute to the ongoing success of the event. Some of their exclusive partners are 1664 Blanc, Black Crewk Assembly, Lashgod, Dylan Does My Hair, Style Canada, Runway 7, and many more.
Also, Read- Fusion Of Style And Innovation At Sao Paulo Fashion Week 2023
Conclusion
After two years of virtual events, Fashion Art Toronto made its return to in-person presentations. Several fashion designers came together under the same roof to showcase their latest collection on the runway. Fashion Art Toronto 2023 was the ultimate celebration of Canadian creativity, with designers using the runway to tell their own stories. For more information, visit HerMagic.