Alternative Fashion Week Toronto

[FAT]: Day Two

Today, [FAT]'s artists continued to investigate the ideas and issues surrounding Home, Planet, Gutter, and Beyond. In response to Earth Day, I TTC'ed my way to the runway as a dozen designers left the comforts of Home and set out to explore the Planet.

Zuzanium focused on soft structure with minimalistic lines and futuristic fabrics.

ZuzaniumZuzaniumZuzaniumZuzaniumZuzaniumZuzaniumZuzaniumZuzaniumZuzanium

Anika played with proportion and balance, turning silhouettes from classic to modern. Her recurring asymmetrical, exposed zippers further proved she has a different way of looking at traditional design principles ... or she needs a new measuring tape.

AnikaAnikaAnikaAnikaAnikaAnikaAnikaAnika

Menswear reigned supreme for Andal-Lopez, who showed a capsule collection of casual, slouchy separates on casual, slouchy models.

Andal-LopezAndal-LopezAndal-LopezAndal-Lopez

David C Wigley's Worth was darkly romantic without being harsh. He effectively merged the serious and subdued with the soft and feminine.

WorthWorthWorthWorthWorthWorthWorth

Amanda Rose's slim lines and feminine colours were pretty basic, but pretty nonetheless.

Amanda RoseAmanda RoseAmanda RoseAmanda Rose

Cherry Blossom drew attention to conflicting but compatible details: ruffles and sparkles versus rips and shredding.

Cherry BlossomCherry BlossomCherry BlossomCherry Blossom

Cristina Sabaiduc's Romandin experimented with structure and texture, creating a simultaneously earthy and ethereal line.

RomandinRomandinRomandinRomandinRomandinRomandin

Deadly Nightshades (environmentally-conscious designers by day, style-conscious bikers by night) showed bright, sporty pieces made of sustainable fabrics.

Deadly NightshadesDeadly NightshadesDeadly NightshadesDeadly NightshadesDeadly Nightshades

Paper People Clothing edged a little too close to cardboard-box-chic for my tastes, thanks to the models' public drunkenness and long dreadlocks. But I guess that was the point, right?

Paper People ClothingPaper People ClothingPaper People Clothing

Elizaveta Yankelovich's Kameleon line contrasted ballerina on the bottom with anything and everything (but sometimes nothing) on top.

KameleonKameleonKameleonKameleonKameleon

Baby Steinberg's Meet My Art collection recycled, reduced, and reused everything from teddy bears to cell phone cases: Earth Day-friendly trash couture.

Baby SteinbergBaby SteinbergBaby SteinbergBaby SteinbergBaby SteinbergBaby Steinberg

Too Hot Too Wet Too Dangerous, by Karey Shinn, was one third runway show, one third performance art, and one third political statement. I'm not sure I completely 'got it', but three rowdy fans (too drunk, too loud, too close) lead me to believe it was fantastic.

Karey Shinn


Karey ShinnKarey ShinnKarey Shinn

All photos by Alana Seldon.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Fashion & Style

Taxi ride led to start of family-run store now celebrating 50 years in Toronto

Courage My Love marks 50 years as Toronto mecca for vintage shopping

Cleo and Ricki's clothing stores to shutter locations across Canada

Frank and Oak seeks creditor protection after debt reaches $71 million

Pop-up market featuring all BIPOC-owned businesses lands in Toronto next month

Family-owned Toronto business shuts down after 60 years serving locals

Toronto neighbourhood throws surprise appreciation party for local seamstress

Anthropologie shutting down its most breathtaking store in Toronto