‘We gotta show up and show out’: Toronto icons break down how diversity, sustainability and confidence are revolutionizing Toronto’s fashion scene

FASHION Magazine’s TIFF party put the spotlight on revolutionizing Toronto’s fashion scene, bringing the city’s celebs, high-profile designers and fashion icons together for a night of style that set a new stylistic standard.

On Sept. 15, FASHION Magazine, co-hosted by View the VIBE, held a TIFF party, THE ONES: Canada’s Next Act, with over 115 feet of red carpet and the theme: “Maximum Drama,” requiring guests to wear their best fits.

So, Now Toronto asked attendees who pulled up in their best fits how they believe they’re revolutionizing Toronto’s fashion scene.

‘Working with pre-existing materials’: suburban deviant founder says revolutionizing pre-existing materials is revolutionary

What’s more revolutionary in fashion than giving clothing new life?

suburban deviant founder and creative director Danny Welsh said they always love to sustainably source materials.

“The talent in Toronto is incredible, and I think that revolutionizing fashion, working with pre-existing materials and what’s already around us is the best we can do,” they told Now Toronto.

To match the event’s theme, Welsh went all out as “Brightzilla.”

Wearing upcycled clothes they designed themselves, the top is a sort of bustier with high shoulders, paired with patchwork capri pants, high boots, and a purple cap. Standout piece: a choker that resembles a fence.

“This is entirely made by me. All made of upcycled, pre-existing, sustainably sourced materials. Well, the theme for tonight is maximum drama. So I thought, what’s more dramatic than Brightzilla?” they said.

​‘Celebrate our individuality and collectivity’: L’Uomo Strano designer shares how they participate in revolutionizing fashion

Toronto designer Mic Carter of their line, L’Uomo Strano, shares that they revolutionize fashion by embracing their style unapologetically.

“I think we just break boundaries. We’re such a mosaic here in this country, and we bring all our identities to the fashion weeks here. We get to celebrate our individuality and collectivity,” they told Now Toronto.

So, the designer wore a blazer dress with dramatic shoulders that they had previously designed for their line, continuing to celebrate Canadian fashion.

‘We gotta show up and show out’: Gonez Media founder and host says wearing bold and local fits is the move

Brandon Gonez, founder of Gonez Media and host of The Brandon Gonez Show, says people shouldn’t be afraid to pull out their best fits.

“We can’t be a timid city. We gotta show up and show out,” he said.

So, he’s stunning the red carpet in a locally designed outfit.

“We are wearing some local designers because that’s what we got to do,” Gonez explained.

His fit includes a white silky top with tight cuffs, grey pants, a black belt and shoes.

‘We’re so multicultural’: Local content creator believes the city’s diversity brings stunning style

Content creator Pietro Pantanella says he loves to see everyone bring their unique sense of style.

“Because we’re so multicultural, everyone brings their own fashion sense, and I love that we mix everything from different religions, different textiles, different vibrant colour spectrums,” he told Now Toronto.

Pantanella swears by leather, so his fit includes a leather jacket, a collar by luxury brand NadaUp, a Fendi tie, shorts and Vagabond shoes.