Inside The Ones: FASHION’s Celebration of Canadian Designers
FASHION’s annual event once again proved to be more than a party—but a statement: Canadian fashion is leading the moment.
It was a night of fashion, glamour and unmistakable Canadian pride. On September 9th, FASHION Magazine hosted its third annual The Ones party—a now-seminal celebration of the magazine’s September issue. Each year, the cover honours a distinct group of Canadian trailblazers: from the country’s most iconic supermodels in its inaugural year, to digital superstars in 2024. For 2025, the spotlight shone on nine visionary Canadian designers—Mario Fugnitto, Spencer Badu, Joey Gollish, Dorian Who, Lesley Hampton, Golnar Ahmadian, Charles Lu, Tristan Réhel and Gabrielle Szynkarsky—many of whom were in attendance as the industry gathered to celebrate in their honour.
In the words of FASHION’s Publisher, Deidre Marinelli, it was “an epic night celebrating the next wave of Canadian designers with our beloved fashion community. The incredible support from our partners made this night unforgettable.”
The Venue: Toronto Fashion Academy
In keeping with this year’s cover theme, The Ones unfolded at the brand-new Toronto Fashion Academy studio space. As presenting sponsor and host, Toronto Fashion Academy provided not only a striking architectural backdrop (think: soaring ceilings, bright white walls and an industrial-chic vibe) but also a symbol of its mission: cultivating the next generation of Canadian fashion talent through hands-on training and innovation. Its gleaming new studios offered an ideal canvas for a night that brought together design and community under one roof.
The Scene
The energy was electric. Designers mingled with A-list content creators—known as the FASHION Fam. Notable names included Myles Sexton, Alba, Mashawi Riley, Patricia J. and the Beckerman twins, along with many others. As these industry insiders, PR pros and media packed the space, they captured every angle of what has quickly become one of the city’s most buzzed-about events.
Guests moved seamlessly between experiences, each touchpoint entirely unique. A live performance from Canadian Opera Company soprano Danika Lorèn electrified the crowd. The lounges, created by luxe French furniture brand Roche Bobois, elevated the setting with their modern-chic couches and tables, while May Flowers’ lush arrangements saturated every corner with colour and drama. Another focal point of the party was FASHION’s Atelier space, where two handcrafted looks from each of the cover stars was on prominent display, allowing guests to see the highest level of Canadian fashion excellence up close and personal.
The Experience
Every guest journey was full of discovery. As they entered, servers greeted them with a glass of sparkling wine courtesy of Ca’del Bosco—the official sparkling wine sponsor, flowing all night long from a chic branded bar. On the patio, GELATO CARTS provided indulgent treats with artisanal scoops, while espresso martinis were never in short supply thanks to coffee from Smeg machines to keep the energy high well into the night. Inside, drinks also flowed at Citizen Watch Group’s Director’s Cut Portrait Studio and Martini Bar, where the official jewellery sponsor showcased elegant timepieces while guests snapped their own star moments.
The night’s DJ, Karim Olen Ash, set the musical tone for the evening, with a little help from Roots Creative Director Joey Gollish (aka Mr. Saturday, one of FASHION’s cover stars), who also played a few sets. Roots, as official apparel sponsor, outfitted the DJ booth in its signature Canadiana style, while Antigua and Barbuda provided a taste of tropical escape with its can’t-miss photo wall and vibrant Caribbean-inspired rum cocktails. When the party heated up, FIJI Water—the official water sponsor—kept guests hydrated, while Rubicon Exotic Juices flowed through cocktails and filled gift bags for an end-of-night sweet surprise.
Another unexpected upgrade? Maserati of Toronto and Alfa Romeo of Toronto delivered VIP guests to the venue in sleek rides before taking their place as showpieces outside the doors of Toronto Fashion Academy. And the drama didn’t end with the arrivals—the black carpet looked perfect all night thanks to Shark, whose vacuums worked their magic, while BOSS tuxedos lent polish to the evening’s vacuum models.
Cocktails courtesy of TAG Vodka, Dobel Tequila and Masala Whiskey kept spirits high throughout, complemented by carefully curated bites from KANVAS.
The Extras
No FASHION party is complete without a stylish sendoff. Guests departed with curated gift bags brimming with beauty and lifestyle essentials from Aestura, Bioderma, Marc Anthony, NARS, Blume, Ghlee, Blue Lizard, Conair and Olaplex—because the glamour goes well beyond the dance floor. Plus, Rubicon Exoctic Juices, Toronto Fashion Academy, the Canadian Opera Company and May Flowers rounded out the mix with thoughtful parting extras.
The Ones once again affirmed its place as a must-attend annual celebration. This year’s gathering of designers, content creators, celebrities and industry insiders cemented the event as not just a party, but a powerful statement: Canadian fashion is not following the moment—it’s leading it.
The Sponsors
The Ones 2025 was brought to life thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and partners: Presenting sponsor Toronto Fashion Academy, alongside Citizen Watch Group, Roots, Antigua and Barbuda, Ca’del Bosco, FIJI Water, Roche Bobois, May Flowers, KANVAS, Smeg, TAG Vodka, Dobel Tequila, Masala Whiskey, GELATO CARTS, Rubicon Exotic Juices, Maserati of Toronto, Alfa Romeo of Toronto, BOSS and Shark.
Courtesy of George Pimentel Photography
Liz Guber is the Editor-in-Chief of FASHION. In her own words, she's "less interested in telling you what to buy, but rather why you want to buy it." Her work has appeared in The Kit, ELLE Canada, The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and Girlboss.
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