Fashion Art Toronto presents its annual, five-day celebration of provocative, avant-garde and cutting-edge fashion and art, April 12-16, 2016. Expect to be awed and inspired through 50+ runway shows and performances, photography exhibits, interdisciplinary art installations and a selection of curated fashion films.

In its 11th year, Fashion Art Toronto continues to be Canada’s foremost platform for independent Canadian fashion and design; exposing and launching the careers of up-and-coming fashion designers, unconventional runway models and multi-disciplinary artists.

“With so many talented |FAT| designers going on to showcase at major fashion weeks, be featured in top magazines and even star in tv shows, we’re continually motivated each year to ensure Fashion Art Toronto represents the diversity of the fashion industry,” says Vanja Vasic, Executive Director, “Most notable participants include internationally acclaimed designers Pedram Karimi, Evan Biddell and Jasper Garvida; and top model Chantelle Winnie.”

A true testament to the spirit of the arts and fashion culture in Toronto, Fashion Art Toronto is made possible with the collaborative effort of hundreds of creative participants, volunteers and sponsors each year. |FAT| attracts thousands of guests including buyers, media, industry participants and fashion enthusiasts.

RUNWAY HIGHLIGHTS

The 2016 #DRESSCODES theme looks at the major role fashion plays in constructing identity. Participants will present fashion and art based on five sub-themes over five days:

April 12 – 
UNDRESS – Fashion Art Toronto kicks off the week exploring the freedoms and constraints around sexuality, fantasy and play. Sultry showgirl, Pastel Supernova opens the show with a jaw-dropping one-gal burlesque performance;  With Love Lingerie fuses religious iconography with its vintage-luxe lingerie; and House of Etiquette presents high-fashion latex.

April 13 – gender WEAR – Stereotypes, identity, blurred cultural styles. Evan Biddell takes over two runway shows including an illustrated Tribute to David Bowie;  L’Uomo Strano explores forensic anthropologies and Mister Miguel performs hot off his America’s Got Talent debut.

April 14 – DRESS Accordingly – Tradition, costumes and uniforms. Presenting Lesley Hampton’s Ojibwe jingle dress; and award-winners Dilly Daisy and Feyanki Law’s stylish, historical re-creations.

April 15 – Counter CODE – Rebellion, evolution and innovation. Featuring the avant-garde yet wearable work of Nuvango that encompasses artwork from over 20 international artists; trompe l’oeil looks from designer Andrea JungMin Oh and edgy street wear by Wolf N Crane.

April 16 – HAUTE Culture – HIgh fashion, opulence, embellishment. Welcoming Canadian and International designers with collections inspired by high fashion from around the globe. Celeb designer Oscar Mendoza, who’s been featured in Vanity Fair & Elle Magazine, presents a mix of couture, rich textures and a colorful palette.

ART

  • Möbius invites audiences to literally wear their hearts—and minds—on their sleeves by translating internal brain signals into colour. This future fashion experiment allows light patterns on a garment to be mind controlled using Muse, a brain-sensing headband.
  • The Dressing Room Project features art installations that explore fashion from a social, environmental and conscious standpoint including unwoven by Amanda Pearn; & Everyday Spectrum by Margareta Jelic and Zorica Vasic.
  • Photography exhibition by a selection of photographers including Fashion & Death: featuring garments and concept by Zoran Dobric, photography by Sandro Altamirano and art direction by Stephen Severn.

VENUE
Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East
April 12-16, 2016 from 5:30pm-12am daily

TICKETS  $15 Student, $40 Day, $95 Week

SCHEDULE and DESIGNERS
The complete 2016 schedule is now available online.

Full Listing of Designers

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors, and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats. Reach out - bryen@thebuzzmag.ca