Showcasing collections from 50 designers, including
Narces, Lesley Hampton, Evan Biddell and L’Uomo Strano
Fashion Playground to feature art installations, Fashion & Beauty boutique, Fashion Cinema and a 1664 Blanc Bar and Blue Hour Lounge
Toronto’s longest running multi-arts fashion week Fashion Art Toronto is taking over 20,000 square foot industrial warehouse Black Creek Assembly (131 McCormack St., in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood) for its Spring event. Running Thursday, April 27 through Sunday, April 30, the four-day fashion showcase will feature runway shows and presentations from 50 designers, style-inspired art installations from 11 Canadian artists, an immersive Fashion Cinema curated by CANIFFF, a Fashion & Beauty Retail Boutique with goods from 20 local artisans and brands, and more. Tickets to Fashion Art Toronto are now available online.
“We are curating incredible experiences for guests of Fashion Art Toronto’s Spring event, from statement-making runway shows and avant-garde presentations, to thought-provoking art exhibits and fashion film screenings, to an eclectic retail marketplace,” said Vanja Vasic, founder and executive director, Fashion Art Toronto. “Guests will be surprised, entertained and amazed – it’s going to be an epic season and we can’t wait to see everyone in April.”
Fifty designers will share their latest collections this season including renowned cocktail and bridal wear designer Narces, acclaimed Indigenous designer Lesley Hampton, famed veteran designer Evan Biddell, and Mic Carter’s gender bending brand L’Uomo Strano.
The Black Designers of Canada are presenting a special showcase on opening night featuring ANNAFORA, Ellis ESQ, Kyle Gervacy and Roney X.
Designers and brands also presenting collections on the 200 foot runway and the Fashion Playground presentation stage include: 3-Dimensional, 3ndolith Inc., Aadhe, Anna Pazhava, Bikinis By Bridget, Blanche Hanger, Brandon Kier, Chamar, Connor McCalden, CUFF, Dukiri Apparel, edÜko, F D S Clothing, FARDA, Fatalie, Fugnitto, Glammy Lee, House of Hendo, H.Y.L.A., ItsTeganWest, Judy Jean vintage, La Nouvelle Route du Coton, Lucia Kinghorn, Kyana Kingbird, LOCO ONE, Marisa Ricci & Tyler Angell, Mufaro Mbudzi, Pénélope Gromko, Poison Control, Purple Heart Supply, Qweenfecy Clothing, RT, Safi Creatives, Silent Simon, Suburban Deviant, Tran Thien Khanh Design and Vveyago.
The Fashion Playground will exhibit photography, paintings, installations and illustrations from local artists including Adam X, Adetona Omokanye, Betsey Elias, Chason Yeboah-Brown, DINADÈLE, Josh Hy the Dezinr, Kelsi Gayda, Mallory Tolcher, Marisa Ricci & Tyler Angell, Maya Skarzenski and Stephanie Avery.
The Fashion & Beauty Retail Boutique, situated in the Fashion Playground, will retail apparel, jewellery, accessories, beauty products and more from over 20 Canadian artisans and brands including Aaniin, Andrea G Hand + Made, Ballerism Activewear, CHAMAR, Fractal Official, LASHGOD, Lubica, Luxe Nails, MizDragonfly, Quartz & Canary, Roncy Packs, and Shaghayegh Tafreshi.
Guests will also be able to lounge in the Fashion Cinema curated by CANIFFF, the leading fashion film festival. CANIFFF has curated a collection of acclaimed fashion film shorts from around the world that will continuously screen to entertain and inspire style seekers. Canadian real estate company Tricon Residential is furnishing the Fashion Cinema with modern pieces as well as providing a popcorn stand and mocktail bar.
Closing day, Sustainable Sunday, will highlight 12 brands focused on eco and ethical fashion as well as host a Responsible Fashion panel, moderated by CANNIFF, featuring Kelly Drennan from Fashion Takes Action. Taking place on the runway, the panel will feature an in-depth discussion on prevalent issues and global advancements around fashion sustainability.
“The creative community in Canada is thriving and we are proud to provide a much-needed platform for designers and artists where they can share their vision with the world,” said Vanja Vasic, founder and executive director, Fashion Art Toronto.
As the official beer of Fashion Art Toronto’s Spring 2023 season, Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc is commemorating Blue Hour, the time of day that the sun dips below the horizon, when the lighting is just right for photos, and when decadent evenings of celebration and socialization kick off. 1664 Blanc is hosting a large-scale bar and Blue Hour lounge, furnished by Tricon Residential, in the Fashion Playground where guests will enjoy refreshing beverages including complimentary samples. 1664 Blanc is also taking over the red carpet entryway this year by turning it blue. Guests are invited to walk the Blue Carpet and strike a pose for paparazzi style glam shots and to visit the interactive 1664 Blanc 360 Photo Booth to put their personal style on full 360 display. The brand will also be giving away swag bags for the first 50 people per day who walk the blue carpet. As part of its 1664 La Mode Aime Paris campaign, 1664 Blanc is giving away a dream trip to Paris, France including two tickets to an event at Paris Fashion Week and every guest of Fashion Art Toronto will have the chance to enter.
Bioderma has signed on as an official beauty partner of Fashion Art Toronto this season, providing its award-winning dermatologist recommended Sensibio H2O Micellar Water cleanser and makeup remover to all event makeup artists for use backstage. Bioderma will also be gifting samples to VIP guests. Canadian beauty brand LASHGOD returns for its third season as the official lash partner. The backstage makeup team will use LASHGOD’s high-quality vegan synthetic silk PFT fibre strip lashes for the model’s beauty looks, and the brand will work with two designers to create bold custom lash looks for their shows.
For the first time guests will be able to pre-order gourmet bites when purchasing event tickets from food styling and catering company Kanvas, Fashion Art Toronto’s exclusive food partner this season.
Tickets to attend Fashion Art Toronto are available to purchase online. The full schedule is available to view online FashionArtToronto.ca.
Fashion Art Toronto is also excited to announce that it has partnered with Artist Project for a second year to produce creative pop-up runway shows at the contemporary art fair. Designers Isecai and LaceL will present their latest art-inspired collections to guests of the 2023 event, and new this year the Fashion Art Toronto Boutique will allow visitors to shop the latest fashions on-site. Featuring over 250 independent artists, Artist Project 2023 is taking place at the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto from April 13 through April 16. Tickets available at theartistproject.com.
Fashion Art Toronto is an annual multi-arts fashion week event celebrated for its 18-year commitment to providing an inclusive platform for Canada’s fashion and artist communities.
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Website: fashionarttoronto.ca
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