FAT ARTS & FASHION WEEK Tuesday (April 24) to April 28, 213 Sterling. Day pass $30, week pass $75 in advance at fashionarttoronto.ca. $35 at the door.
FAT Arts & Fashion Week, the annual catwalk blowout of indie designers and upstart labels, kicks off five days of alt style on Tuesday (April 24). We’ve got the scoop on each night’s must-see shows and off-the-runway antics, plus executive director Vanja Vasic’s insider picks of names to watch.
April 24
Armour by Seema (armourbyseema.com), 9:30 pm
Each FAT night has a theme, and its opening evening’s focus is physical environments and global landscapes. Seneca College grad Seema Patel takes the runway with her mix of protective accessories and delicate clothes.
What brings you to FAT?
I’m honoured to be participating in FAT because it’s a place where people create, share and are accepted for doing what they love.
Any show hints?
This collection showcases clothing in soft silhouettes and accessories with a sculptural, armour-like design. Aubergine sequin and cognac leather pieces are paired with items in floral cotton, metallic linen and petal shaped chiffon.
Why is it important to celebrate independent voices in fashion?
Creativity inspires new creativity. There is so much talent out there, and we need to be able to share and experience it all.
Vanja’s pick:
Belinda Visag (belindavisag.com), 9:25 pm
I was intrigued by the way Visag’s colour palette and choice of fabrics mirror the Mexican landscape she remembers from her childhood. Her Nicte collection (the word is Mayan for “flower”) is extremely vibrant in colour – it brings to mind luscious, fantastical flower gardens along with nostalgic cultural references to graphic Mayan motifs.
April 25
Woudenberg (emilywoudenberg.com), 9:45 pm
Emily Woudenberg’s collection is already sold at Homegrown Boutique (16 Cumberland) and online at Ukamaku.com, so we have high expectations for the Sheridan College graphic design grad’s FAT show. If this tease has you craving more of a sneak peek, check out the hyper-colourful collection trailer on her website.
What brings you to FAT?
It’s an excellent opportunity to get feedback on what I’m designing.
Any show hints?
My collection is about the fashion ego, and it’s inspired by some of the egos I’ve met along the way. I designed my own print for the collection that resembles the texture of an old RGB television screen. It’s a little bit of Cruella De Vil mixed with the 90s.
Why is it important to celebrate independent voices in fashion?
FAT provides a more rounded perspective on the fashion culture, what makes good design and who design is for.
Vanja’s pick:
Rachel Sin (rachelsin.com), 8:05 pm
The symmetrical lines and sharp tailoring of Sin’s designs tell the story of how well she understands built structures. It’s clear Sin uses her architectural training to create great wearable clothing. The geometric shapes and structural details she uses to accent a dress or a suit make it unique and desirable.
April 26
ZENT (zentkeymole.com), 8:30 pm
Four-season-young Sherbrooke, Quebec-based menswear line ZENT pushes beyond basic shirts and slacks to design clothing that stands out from the suit-and-tie standard. Zent Keymole tips us off to what to expect from his Bodyscapes-themed lineup.
What brings you to FAT?
The event allows for a more experimental point of view compared to the commercial clothes one finds at the usual Fashion Week.
Any show hints?
I decided to take a less traditional approach to clothing male bodies. The use of sheer fabrics and nets is abundant, in addition to more fitted pants and shorts. Micro-knits, “hairy” yarn and waterproof materials are mixed and used for their lustre and volume. It’s by far my most experimental collection.
Why is it important to celebrate independent voices in fashion?
Customers are resistant to change because the industry is resistant to change. Change is good, and it’s important for the customer to be exposed to different things and feel inspired to experiment with clothing.
Vanja’s pick:
House of Etiquette (houseofetiquette.com), 9:25 pm
This show is super-sexy hot. House of Etiquette is all about the female form, revealing and sculpting the body and accenting all the sensual curves. You are sure to be seduced!
April 27
WallacePlayford (wallaceplayford.com), 8:05 pm
Jennifer Murtagh and Katherine Laird’s retro-futuristic WallacePlayford takes a cheeky approach to the sometimes so-serious fashion racket. Like what you see? Pick up a piece from their Etsy boutique, Love in the Afternoon (loveintheafternoon.etsy.com).
What brings you to FAT?
FAT provides creative licence and a much-needed forum to generate art through fashion, tell stories and explore figments of the imagination without infringement of the artists’ vision.
Any show hints?
Our collection is a glimpse into the future and a stunning display of space-age beauty. We’ve drawn inspiration from the classic silhouettes of mid-century modern and science fiction and thrown it into the future with inventive use of fabric and materials.
Why is it important to celebrate independent voices in fashion?
Alternative art supplies the creative pulse that deconstructs the barriers between alternative and mainstream ideologies. While vanilla is a classic go-to, it’s always twice as sweet paired with a little rocky road and a cherry on top.
Vanja’s pick:
Brankopopovic (brankopopovic.com), 9:35 pm
Popovic gives menswear new possibilities. I love the contrast of softness and darkness in his collection, including the morphing of silhouettes into shapes we’ve never seen before. The collection feels sharp and dangerous, yet it’s about transformation and moving forward into the future.
