What to know<\/p>\n
Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) just celebrated its 21st year, marking over two decades of showcasing the city\u2019s unique style.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s theme, \u201cToronto, Show Yourself,\u201d encouraged authentic self-expression on and off the runway.<\/p>\n
FAT built international connections, including partnerships with Berlin, to promote Toronto talent abroad.<\/p>\n
Attendees and designers alike say FAT is helping to shape Toronto\u2019s fashion identity and put the city on the global style map.<\/p>\n
Milan, London, Paris, New York have long ruled the fashion world. Now, Toronto is ready to join them, as Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) shows up both on and off the runway.<\/p>\n
Fashion Art Toronto<\/a> just held its Fashion Week Spring Summer 2026 (FW SS\/26) show from May 25-31, with runways on and off-site. This marks FAT\u2019s 21st year of fashion shows, and Torontonians are celebrating with their best fits.<\/p>\n FAT has come a long way and has partnerships with Berlin and other cities to showcase Toronto talent abroad.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n In honour of FAT\u2019s 21st birthday, this season\u2019s theme was \u201cToronto, Show Yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n What does \u201cToronto, Show Yourself\u201d mean?<\/p>\n Founder and Executive Producer of Fashion Art Toronto, Vanja Vasic,<\/a> hoped Torontonians would experiment and show up authentically to who they are.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s important that Toronto shows up because we want to show the world what we\u2019re about, we want to show our style off, we want to show our difference and our energy, and we want to be contenders on the international scene,\u201d she told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n Vasic also highlights that this season\u2019s theme is all about taking pride in Toronto\u2019s fashion scene.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about recognizing that we have so much to offer here as a world-class fashion city, and it\u2019s about taking ownership of that and showing off our style here, you know, because we\u2019re cool,\u201d she told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n So, how did Torontonians \u201cshow up\u201d?<\/p>\n Toronto resident Adonis Hugh explained he\u2019s been feeling \u201cheavy\u201d for a while, so he decided to wear an outfit that feels \u201clight as a feather.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy outfit is definitely inspired by Moorish fashion. I have really been into that period of Spanish art. I have heritage and history with the Moors, and I love the sequence because it gives it a little shine and radiance, and the feather appeal is a way to accent,\u201d he told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n For him, FAT allows him to be authentically himself.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does more than allowing you to be free. It allows you to name and proclaim and just walk in your purpose,\u201d Hugh said.<\/p>\n @nowtoronto<\/a> Fit check: Toronto understood the assignment at Fashion Art Toronto. \ud83d\udd25 #FashionArtToronto<\/a> #FitCheck<\/a> #Toronto<\/a> \u266c original sound \u2013 Now Toronto<\/a> <\/p>\n Toronto resident Anastasa Melnyk loves thrifting and defines her style by her mood.<\/p>\n \u201cUsually, I just go with the flow. Today is kind of a very hard day for me, so I just decided to wear white, but I like it to be a little provocative, but at the same time stylish,\u201d Melnyk told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n Melnyk followed their passion for thrifting with their outfit this season, wearing a thrifted jacket.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my seventh season here, and I feel like I\u2019ve grown a lot. All of this helps me to grow inside together with FAT, so I just like this movement, and I like to go on,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n Toronto resident Snax had cameras flashing left to right as she wore her outfit.<\/p>\n \u201cI always say that I dress like a dark assassin, that\u2019s kind of my goal in life,\u201d she told Now Toronto. \u201cSo just anything from the fur to the baggy pants, everything I wear is always stemming from dark luxury.\u201d<\/p>\n What does it mean for Torontonians to have a fashion week in the city?<\/p>\n \u200bVasic founded FAT to showcase Toronto\u2019s style.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hugely important that Toronto has a fashion weight. We have so many incredible, talented designers here, from emerging brands to established brands, a lot of incredible storytelling through fashion and different cultural expressions,\u201d she told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have so much to offer here, and I think it\u2019s important that we invest in our local fashion scene. It\u2019s how we\u2019re going to grow economically and bring attention to the city. People love fashion, and people want to experience fashion in every city that they go,\u201d Vasic added.<\/p>\n Toronto fashionistas couldn\u2019t agree with her more.<\/p>\n @nowtoronto<\/a> Milan, London, Paris, New York have long ruled the fashion world. Now, Toronto is ready to join them, as Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) shows up both on and off the runway. \ud83d\udcf8 #FashionArtToronto<\/a> \u266c original sound \u2013 Now Toronto<\/a> <\/p>\n For Hugh, it means standing out from the American influence.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are our own people, we\u2019re our own country, we\u2019re our own brand,\u201d he told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n From off-site to on-site events, he loves seeing the amplification and talent in Canada.<\/p>\n Melnyk agrees, saying it\u2019s a way to express yourself and connect with others.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can be yourself\u2026 Many people come from different countries, from different cities. I think it\u2019s just a great opportunity to show up and enjoy,\u201d they told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n While Snax comes out with a hot take: Toronto\u2019s style is \u201cboring.\u201d<\/p>\n But, she shares that FAT allows Torontonians to properly \u201cshow up\u201d with their best fits.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody who\u2019s like in their houses kind of comes out. I feel like Toronto, for so long, hasn\u2019t had an identity, so I feel like stuff like this is kind of creating a culture where people are starting to find their styles more, so I feel like we\u2019re getting away from that, and it\u2019s great to see,\u201d Snax explained.<\/p>\n