Fashion Art Toronto Fall 2024 Broke Barriers — and Instagram

How does one break the Internet? It’s a question that Fashion Art Toronto inadvertently answered during its Fall 2024 season.

“Due to the overwhelming love we’ve been receiving — the crazy amounts of likes, mentions and reposts — Instagram flagged our account for unusual activity spike,” the post on the organization’s page read. “We’re taking this as the greatest compliment ever.” As they absolutely should.

ICYMI: Fashion Art Toronto (FAT), founded by CAFA winner and general icon, Vanja Vasic, is a bi-annual fashion event that features runway shows, installations and shops all to support independent Canadian designers.  Revered for its inclusive and supportive ethos, FAT celebrated its 19th season this year and to say the presentation has never been more popular would be an understatement. Forty-plus designers showcased their collections. AIDS advocate and model Myles Sexton launched an award for emerging talent. And FASHION was an official sponsor of the event,  creating an experiential Atelier pop-up offering a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look into designers collections and working with Toronto-based artist Peter Triantos on an art piece.

For more standout moments, from inBetween’s raw and heartfelt show to House of Hendo’s powerful collection, read below.

Designers created immersive worlds on the runway

At FAT, designers did more than just showcase their latest collections on the runway — they took the audience on journeys to faraway destinations.

On Saturday, STYNSOV’s show — inspired by the aesthetic of flight attendants and airline workers — set the stage for takeoff. Against the visual backdrop of an airplane in flight, the collection brought tailored looks and strong silhouettes to the runway. Cinched pieces, with Y2K touches like thin glasses and Bella Hadid-esque office core looks, evoked the Pan Am aesthetic with a modern twist.

The airline theme continued into Sunday with The 1ndividual Aesthetic’s vibrant collection, which was featured in a group show. Makeup accentuated the line’s air of on-vacation glamour, with one model sporting a sunburn behind black shades, and another towering over the runway walking in stilts, adding to the dreamy, larger than life atmosphere.

Inbetween’s collection was an ode to missing home

“We built more than a brand, we built a world,” Maryam Pesian’s artist statement echoed, at the opening of inBetween’s show on Saturday, November 16th. One half behind the timeless, gender-neutral brand, Pesian moved to Canada from Iran a year and a half ago. When her business partner Sara Sarkheil was unable to move at the same time, they decided to start the brand from scratch, with Pesian working from Canada, and Sarkheil still based in Iran.

The collection highlights the tether between these two places, with open stitches and torn suit sleeves speaking to the brand’s unfinished story. Pesian said that the balance between “casual and chic” looks also showed the push and pull nature of the collection. After the show wrapped, Pesian ran in joyous bounds down the runway, with an infectious energy, beaming smile and palpable gratitude.

GORM gave a feminist message through historical fashion

“What is femininity?” designer Bianca Daniela Nachtman asked while designing her latest collection for GORM.

On the runway at FAT, GORM’s pieces played on gothic, animalistic looks that conveyed a deeper meaning. The collection explored “the complex nature between nature, femininity and spiritual authority,” Nachtman told FASHION.

The pieces also incorporated a captivating mix of natural elements, like branches and dried flowers, with avant-garde touches including a bodice constructed out of melted candle sticks. Nachtman researched witches and wiccan history to pull inspiration.

House of Hendo brought power to the runway

Another highlight of FAT’s festivities was the presentation by House of Hendo on Sunday, November 17th. The collection was created by designer Kelly Henderson, known for her statement-making, sustainable style. Guests knew that they were in for a treat when “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill blared from the loudspeakers as the show kicked off. While the models charged down the catwalk in earth-toned, shimmering looks, the lyrics “rebel girl, rebel girl, you are the queen of my world!” reverberated through the room.

The true standout piece from the show was a repurposed vintage army tent that Henderson pressed with hibiscus flowers from her father’s garden, turned into a loose trench coat and matching pant set. Community and compassion were at the heart of her inspiration, and the strength of Henderson’s idea landed with each step of the model’s military style boots hitting the concrete.

Kendrick Tran’s designs celebrated self love

To close out the weekend of fashion festivities, Kendrick Tran’s designs celebrated falling in love — with yourself. Tran’s sun-soaked selfies served as the backdrop to the latter half of his collection, illustrating a personal journey of “death and rebirth.” Dark, heavy trains exemplified the depths of depression, while sheer, sparkling sets showcased the power of escaping the darkness through dance and rave culture, to finding the light of healing through inner child work.

For more highlights from FAT, scroll below.

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Photography courtesy of Fashion Art Toronto and @cosplay. Edited by @devansakaria

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