What to know
- Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) just celebrated its 10th season, marking a decade of showcasing the city’s unique style.
- This year’s theme, “Toronto, Show Yourself,” encouraged authentic self-expression on and off the runway.
- FAT built international connections, including partnerships with Berlin, to promote Toronto talent abroad.
- Attendees and designers alike say FAT is helping to shape Toronto’s fashion identity and put the city on the global style map.
Milan, London, Paris, New York have long ruled the fashion world. Now, Toronto is ready to join them, as Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) shows up both on and off the runway.
Fashion Art Toronto just held its Fashion Week Spring Summer 2026 (FW SS/26) show from May 25-31, with runways on and off-site. This marks FAT’s 10th year of fashion shows, and Torontonians are celebrating with their best fits.
FAT has come a long way and has partnerships with Berlin and other cities to showcase Toronto talent abroad.
Read More
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- ‘People want to see themselves on the runway,’ Here’s how Fashion Art Toronto is keeping plus-size representation alive while major fashion weeks fall behind
- Is Toronto’s fashion scene making a comeback? Fashion Art Toronto introducing Bridge to Berlin
In honour of FAT’s 10th birthday, this season’s theme was “Toronto, Show Yourself.”
What does “Toronto, Show Yourself” mean?
Founder and Executive Producer of Fashion Art Toronto, Vanja Vasic, hoped Torontonians would experiment and show up authentically to who they are.
“I think it’s important that Toronto shows up because we want to show the world what we’re about, we want to show our style off, we want to show our difference and our energy, and we want to be contenders on the international scene,” she told Now Toronto.
Vasic also highlights that this season’s theme is all about taking pride in Toronto’s fashion scene.
“It’s about recognizing that we have so much to offer here as a world-class fashion city, and it’s about taking ownership of that and showing off our style here, you know, because we’re cool,” she told Now Toronto.
So, how did Torontonians “show up”?
Toronto resident Adonis Hugh explained he’s been feeling “heavy” for a while, so he decided to wear an outfit that feels “light as a feather.”
“My outfit is definitely inspired by Moorish fashion. I have really been into that period of Spanish art. I have heritage and history with the Moors, and I love the sequence because it gives it a little shine and radiance, and the feather appeal is a way to accent,” he told Now Toronto.
For him, FAT allows him to be authentically himself.
“It does more than allowing you to be free. It allows you to name and proclaim and just walk in your purpose,” Hugh said.
@nowtoronto Fit check: Toronto understood the assignment at Fashion Art Toronto. 🔥 #FashionArtToronto #FitCheck #Toronto ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
Toronto resident Anastasa Melnyk loves thrifting and defines her style by her mood.
“Usually, I just go with the flow. Today is kind of a very hard day for me, so I just decided to wear white, but I like it to be a little provocative, but at the same time stylish,” Melnyk told Now Toronto.
Melnyk followed their passion for thrifting with their outfit this season, wearing a thrifted jacket.
“It’s my seventh season here, and I feel like I’ve grown a lot. All of this helps me to grow inside together with FAT, so I just like this movement, and I like to go on,” they said.
Toronto resident Snax had cameras flashing left to right as she wore her outfit.
“I always say that I dress like a dark assassin, that’s kind of my goal in life,” she told Now Toronto. “So just anything from the fur to the baggy pants, everything I wear is always stemming from dark luxury.”
What does it mean for Torontonians to have a fashion week in the city?
Vasic founded FAT to showcase Toronto’s style.
“It’s hugely important that Toronto has a fashion weight. We have so many incredible, talented designers here, from emerging brands to established brands, a lot of incredible storytelling through fashion and different cultural expressions,” she told Now Toronto.
“We have so much to offer here, and I think it’s important that we invest in our local fashion scene. It’s how we’re going to grow economically and bring attention to the city. People love fashion, and people want to experience fashion in every city that they go,” Vasic added.
Toronto fashionistas couldn’t agree with her more.
@nowtoronto Milan, London, Paris, New York have long ruled the fashion world. Now, Toronto is ready to join them, as Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) shows up both on and off the runway. 📸 #FashionArtToronto ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
For Hugh, it means standing out from the American influence.
“We are our own people, we’re our own country, we’re our own brand,” he told Now Toronto.
From off-site to on-site events, he loves seeing the amplification and talent in Canada.
Melnyk agrees, saying it’s a way to express yourself and connect with others.
“You can be yourself… Many people come from different countries, from different cities. I think it’s just a great opportunity to show up and enjoy,” they told Now Toronto.
While Snax comes out with a hot take: Toronto’s style is “boring.”
But, she shares that FAT allows Torontonians to properly “show up” with their best fits.
“Everybody who’s like in their houses kind of comes out. I feel like Toronto, for so long, hasn’t had an identity, so I feel like stuff like this is kind of creating a culture where people are starting to find their styles more, so I feel like we’re getting away from that, and it’s great to see,” Snax explained.
