Fashion Art Toronto and Myles Sexton Bring Community to the Catwalk

The fashion world is notoriously tough to navigate. With narrow beauty standards, a rapidly-changing trend cycle, and designers’ ever-intensifying quest to go viral, there’s a sense of scarcity that causes competitiveness. But what happens when we come together to help each other out? Night one of Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) 2024 made the case for this radical act of community.

As the city’s long-running fashion week, FAT has made inclusivity and diversity a cornerstone of its platform. And this year, it went a step further by partnering with model and activist Myles Sexton on an award for emerging designers.

Kicking off a weekend of experimental style, night one of FAT opened by showcasing the winners of the newly-instituted “Myles Sexton Breakout Talent Award.” Four emerging designers — Lindsay King, House of Dwir, Jacqueline Bradica and Sixnineosix — were chosen by Sexton for their avant-garde aesthetic. Along with being mentored by the model, they were able to show their work to a crowd of industry insiders and fashion fans on November 14.

“There’s a perception that the fashion industry is a competition, but it’s not,” Sexton said before the show began. “There is enough work for everyone, and I think we need to change our mindsets to start working together and collaborating. We are a collective of creativity, and we need community in order to grow.”

Indeed, night one of FAT was really a celebration of collaboration. This year, FASHION is an official partner of the event, honing in on our ethos of unapologetic self-expression. As guests walked into the venue, they were greeted by a custom FASHION x FAT graffiti-style cover, made by local artist Peter Triantos.

Next to this was another work of art: a heaping pile of clothes. Sprawled out across the floor of the entryway atrium, “The Fashion Pile” was made by designer Kelly Henderson from House of Hendo. Fittingly, it serves as a poignant juxtaposition of the idealized perfection in fashion versus the flaws that make us human. “We may all have a form of ‘The Pile’ surrounding us,” Henderson wrote in the description next to the installation, challenging readers to “dig, sift and mine” through that which suffocates and weighs them down.

Similarly, the soirée’s runways were about pushing back on concepts of constriction. Each designer who won the “Myles Sexton Breakout Talent Award” brought a unique vision, style and world-building effect to the catwalk. Every show honoured the spirit of inclusivity, featuring models of different sizes, abilities and ages — an impactful choice that sets Toronto apart from major fashion capitals.

To start, Lindsay King dedicated her show to the epidemic of Missing, Murdered and Exploited Indigenous Peoples (MMEIP) through a line called the “Red Collection.” From leather trenches to statement hats, the assortment of crimson evening-wear drew attention to Canada’s ongoing crisis.

Next up, House of Dwir offered a genderless take on dressing for your Zodiac sign, with everything from ethereal glistening skirts to BDSM-inspired accent pieces. Each look embodied a new character, illuminating the boundless possibilities of outfit shape-shifting.

Following this, Jacqueline Bradica presented a subversive take on prep. Through cropped blazers, pleated skirts with slits and gauzy sheer trains, the line brought a freeing fluidity to the notion of structured professionalism.

Finally, Sixnineosix offered a fun-house-feeling extravaganza, full of severely cinched waists, trompe l’oeil elements and dramatic bubble silhouettes. Furthering the cinematic effect, the colour palette of green with black and white stripes evoked a modern Beetlejuice universe.

To close the show, Myles Sexton and each designer walked down the runway in unison — serving a visual manifestation of the magic that can come from working together. Fashion Art Toronto, which runs from November 14 until November 17, is sure to be stacked with even more moments of imaginative expression and uplifting support. Who says fashion can’t be for all?