Revolutionizing Runways: Putting The “Art” in “Fashion Art Toronto”

Stepping stylishly into the future with panels, presentations, and interactive playgrounds.

By: Manroop Aulakh & Aliya Karimjee

The entrance sign to Fashion Art Toronto reflects the disruptive atmosphere. (Courtesy of Manroop Aulakh)

Evening light glimmers off the Harbourfront, casting a runway-worthy glow on the water as guests strut toward the bold red-lit room. Stepping into this world of ‘disruption,’ the space reflects the theme’s daring style. Through abstract paintings, avant-garde installations, and striking fashion choices, Fashion Art Toronto’s (FAT) FW’25 redefines fashion as we know it. 

Style expert Myles Sexton electrifies the room with their mohawk while modelling for FAT’s theme reveal on Instagram, fully embodying the unapologetic spirit of ‘disruption.’ 

(James Nicholas Merzetti/ @fashionarttoronto on Instagram)

In addition to FAT’s audacious ambiance, its guests make their presence known through extravagant outfits. So what is Fashion Art Toronto? It’s a bi-annual fashion event that showcases progressive and avant-garde design. The event allows emerging and established designers, artists, and performers to showcase their work in a dynamic, innovative setting. It emphasizes the intersection of fashion with other art forms, fostering a conversation about identity, culture, and self-expression.

(Matt Reid/@prevalentfocus)

The Panels

But that’s not where the stylish journey ends! As you enter the third floor’s VIP and Media room, you see live panels, changing the future of fashion by teaching aspiring/current fashion business owners to trailblaze paths for BIPOC and create a fashion-inclusive space.   

Vanja Vasic, the founder of FAT and a Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) fashion alumni herself, decided to add panels relevant to aspiring designers. On Day 2 of FAT, TMU emerging designers took the stage. This opportunity allowed them to build community and expose them to a real day in the life of a designer in the industry. At the same time, audience members get a fresh perspective on fashion because. This mutual learning experience is a great educational addition to fashion shows. 

 “We always want to be on the cusp of what’s happening.”

– Vanja Vasic

TMU fashion panel speakers left to right: Serena Li, Audrey Smiley, Shelli Oh (Aliya Karimjee/@Spill_The Trend on Instagram)

Another resourceful panel for aspiring designers and entrepreneurial audiences was “Runway to Retail,” hosted by journalist Hillary Leblanc. This panel explored the journey of BIPOC designers in transforming their runway collections into retail successes. 

Journalist Hillary Leblanc, designer George Sully, and a photographer conversing. (Aliya Karimjee/@Spill The Trend on Instagram)

Vanja Vasic adds that it’s far too common for designers to think only from the runway and forget to adapt their designs for retail. 

“To me, having a discussion on a personal level with other working professionals is what we want to bring to help emerging designers navigate these professional genres,” she says.

On top of these helpful tips and tricks, the most important lesson learned in this panel was to network as a first step to entering the industry. Audience members witnessed an unforgettable moment when George Sully, a Canadian fashion designer, invited a photographer on stage. 

There, they had an open discussion where Sully gave him the opportunity to shoot some photos for him on his project, collaborating Hudson’s Bay furniture with the Saint George’s mansion. 

Fashion Presentations

As much as there were great educational panels for emerging artists, there would not be any in the future if the earth ceased to exist – and Aurélie Berubé, fashion designer of RéELLE, proves just that with her bold fashion presentation, replicating a protest. She uses striking signs, a microphone, and a clock, saying it’s “not too late” to highlight the dangers of climate change in a disruptive fashion. 

(Courtesy of Fashion Art Toronto)

Similarly, Sons of Man redefined fashion with deconstructed proportions and a palette of muted, restrained tones. Chaotically Ordered gave a chaotic yet orderly presentation, and Zoff gave a presentation on self-love.  

All four designers presented important concepts in fashion. With one presentation daily, attendees were educated about these trailblazing, boundary-pushing designs!

Hands-On Exotic Animals

Once entering the tenth floor of FAT, a shocking Skraawh! filled the room. Soon, attendees were welcomed by a range of exotic animals, from turtles to snakes to the screeching Cockatoo. 

James Robinson, a third-year exchange student from Australia, appreciated the event’s cultural addition, “I recognized [the birds] and thought that it was very cool to see some of my country being represented.” 

A makeup artist working the event, Mandy Sleep, expressed how cool it was to hold an animal you wouldn’t see on a typical day. 

She captions her story with joy about the event space and activities overall. (Courtesy of @mandysleepsglam on Instagram)

“I love when animals are brought into a chaotic place like this because it brings a sense of calm.”

She also added that she loved this animalistic soft touch from fellow FAT attendee Seth Falk’s brand. After all, he can never complete a look without his fluffy friend: Anabelle, his Cockatoo, His love for animals originated from his experience bringing his first parrot to visit senior residents at a local long-term care home. Since then, he pursued interactions like these into a lifelong career with Hands On Exotics. In the last decade, he has grown his business into an outreach organization offering animal-assisted therapy, education, and the facilitation of animal actors in multimedia industries. 

As reported on Spill The Trend, there were also various-sized snakes, a turtle, a reptile, and a hedgehog! 

Art Exhibitions

Fashion Art Toronto would be incomplete without its “art.” The exhibitions were a dynamic blend of wearable creativity and bold statements. Designs celebrated empowerment, identity, and freedom through dramatic silhouettes and intricate detailing. Each dress in the exhibition served as a narrative, allowing viewers to connect with the stories and emotions woven into every seam. These weren’t just clothes but living, breathing works of art.

A standout piece by Tia Kureshi, Threads of Thoughts, featured the bold statement “No Opinions Considered” embezzled across the top, with powerful phrases like “Her Life Is Her Art” and “Do It Anyways” cascading down the gown. The garment wasn’t just fashion—it was a manifesto, celebrating individuality and the audacity to live unapologetically. Kureshi’s work embodied the spirit of FAT, where clothing became a canvas for personal and social commentary.

Threads of Thoughts dress (Courtesy of Manroop Aulakh)

The “fashion playground” added a playful twist to the event with an installation by Toronto-based interdisciplinary artist and mother to the founder Vanja Vasic, Vessna Perunovich. Featuring stockings, balls, shoes, and boots, the exhibit blurred the lines between art and fashion. Known for her work in performance, video, sculpture, painting, and drawing, Perunovich used this playful setup to celebrate the journey of life itself. Shoes, as objects of both fascination and cultural significance, became a metaphor for movement and progress—symbolizing the act of walking, stepping forward, and existing in the world.

(Courtesy of @asianwithcamera on Instagram)

For those with a quirky or business-like taste, there were props of a shopping cart of lemons—immediately making attendees think of the famous phrase “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” so to work with what they had.

Cart full of lemons (Aliya Karimjee/@Spill_The_Trend on Instagram)

Vendors

Fashion Art Toronto wasn’t just limited to the interactive exotics and playground; it extended into its routine vibrant showcases of boutique vendors and local artists. From handcrafted jewelry to avant-garde apparel, the vendor area was a treasure trove of creativity, offering attendees the chance to discover unique finds. 

Alcohol sampling became a standout attraction, adding a bold twist. One notable highlight was a chai-and-whiskey fusion, Masala Whisky, a daring combination that blended warm spices with a smooth kick. This creative concoction summarized FAT, merging traditional flavours with a contemporary flair to engage all the senses. 

Bottles of Masala Whisky (Courtesy of Aliya Karimjee)

Stoned & Grounded’s range of rings for crystal lovers added a touch of spiritual charm to the vendor lineup. These thoughtfully designed pieces showcase lunar-charged crystals set in minimalist yet striking designs.

Stoned & Grounded crystals (Courtesy of Manroop Aulakh)

Photo-Ops

All the fashionistas had their photo dreams come true thanks to the numerous photo-ops available, capturing their glam and glitz! 

There was also a pink-tastic photo-op sponsored by the Bata Shoe Museum, with two pink inflatable high heels and a “Bata Shoe Museum” pink and white backdrop. 

Journalist Aliya Karimjee is in front of the backdrop of the Bata Shoe Museum. (Manroop Aulakh/@spill_the_trend on Instagram)

The wine brand 1664 also took and sent beautiful photos of guests with their wine bottle props in front of a royal blue backdrop.

Left to right: Charlene Hatcher, Aliya Karimjee, Manroop Aulakh (Courtesy of 1664.)

Last but not least, the obvious but favourite red carpet! Nothing short of the flash and flair!

Left to right: Charlene Hatcher, Manroop Aulakh, Aliya Karimjee (Courtesy of James Robinson.)

Robinson said the whole event was interactive and felt there were a lot of activities to do. “I can see how everything that was planned complemented the fashion show. So it was very artsy, and there were many opportunities for photos: a photo wall, and the 1664 backdrop.” 

Vanja Vasic proudly innovated fashion week as we know it,

“I’ve always been involved in art, and so it was natural to put together an exhibit of fashion.”

The event was so popular that @fashionarttoronto was temporarily restricted on Instagram from doing too much activity. FATs FW ’25 may be over. Still, its popularity will forever live on, especially with their new addition on social media of “Overheard at fashion week: unfiltered, out-of-context and in verse,” a fun approach similar to “xoxo, Gossip Girl.” 

Stay tuned for more scoops into overheard conversations. 

~Xoxo, Fashion Art Toronto reporters for Spill The Trend.