Toronto’s top fashion week is getting a massive makeover next month

When Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) returns to the city next month, it’s going to be with a bang. The multidisciplinary arts and fashion showcase is moving to a stunning new location this year, and it will also be showcasing some of the country’s top designers, launching new awards to honour Canada’s emerging creatives and so much more.

FAT has been shaking up Toronto’s fashion scene since 2005 under the helm of Vanja Vasic, and the plan for this year is bigger and better than ever. The recently-disclosed new location for the fall/winter showcase is at T3 Bayside, a sky-high Queen Quay East building that features floor-to-ceiling glass windows around the space and modern wooden beams for a bright, sleek interior with 360-degree waterfront views of the city.

And this year, the brand new fashion week space will be filled with even more designers and elements than ever before. Visitors can expect to see designs from renowned Toronto-based bridal designer, Narces, as well as Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell on the runway.

There are also two awards new to FAT this year. The FASHN DISRPTR Award will be given to three Canadian designers who are disrupting and breaking boundaries in fashion, and this year’s recipients includes two Toronto designers, Suburban Deviant and Vveyago, as well as Montreal’s Process Visual. 

Also new this year is the Myles Sexton Breakout Talent Award — presented by iconic creative director, HIV/AIDS activist and stylist Myles Sexton, the winners will receive ongoing mentorship from Myles along with a runway show presentation at FAT. Recipients this year include House of Dwir founder Dan Dwir, Jacqueline Bradica, Lindsay King and sixnineosix founder Jina Kim. The designers are scheduled for a group show on opening night.

The four-day-long event will include the Runway Room, featuring collections from over 45 designers on a 250-foot runway, the interactive Fashion Playground, a fashion and beauty boutique where you can shop items from Canadian artisans and brands and over 25 runway shows. FAT’s fashion week runs from Nov. 14-17 at 251 Queens Quay E.