This May, Fashion Art Toronto marks two decades with its most expansive programming to date—a full month of runway shows, site-specific installations, boutique collaborations, and citywide pop-ups. Across the schedule, the emphasis is on community, visibility, and the endurance of local fashion infrastructure in a cultural climate that rarely sustains it.
Below, a preview of what to expect.
MAY 8–11 — Artist Project Runway + Pop-Up
At the Better Living Centre, FAT opens the month with a runway by Lunara on May 8 and a curated pop-up featuring eleven local designers. Running throughout Artist Project’s duration, the boutique blurs the line between fashion retail and installation.
MAY 15 — Secret Runway (Location TBA)
An unannounced guerilla show will be staged somewhere in the city—location and lineup revealed the day-of via FAT’s channels. The gesture references FAT’s early days of street-level runways and its more recent pandemic-era site takeovers.
MAY 23 — FAT x The Bentway
For the Bentway’s Sun/Shade opening party, FAT presents an outdoor runway featuring Indoor Cat, L.A.Xandr, 1ndividual Aesthetic, and Hot Pot Variety. The collaboration reanimates a space that hosted FAT during Virtual Fashion Week, now with a new public-facing energy.
MAY 24 — 20-Year Retrospective Runway at Distillery District
In partnership with Gotstyle and 1664, FAT will host a retrospective catwalk on Trinity Street featuring designers from across its 20-year history—Steven Lejambe, Mr. Haque, House of Hendo, and others—framed as both a return and recontextualization. The event doubles as FAT’s official opening party.
MAY 25–28 — Shop Canadian Campaign
A series of retail-forward activations spotlighting local brands and emerging labels:
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May 25: One-day capsule drop from Deathworks and Mario Fugnitto at U3 (Ossington).
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May 27: Panel and live Off the Rack podcast taping at Holt Renfrew Centre’s Toronto Designers Market.
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May 28: Kowli boutique’s 5-year anniversary event—styling sessions, model showcases, and live music.
Select boutiques will offer 10–15% off for FAT ticket holders throughout the campaign.
MAY 29–JUNE 1 — 1664 Fashion Week at T3 Bayside
The core programming returns with 40+ runway shows, a large-scale retrospective installation, DJ sets, a 1664-branded portrait studio, and a boutique featuring over 25 Canadian designers. Highlights include:
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FASHN DISRPTR Award Recipients: Dunne Cliff, Sam Sun, L’Uomo Strano, uneKSpected
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Featured designers: Lesley Hampton, Mario Fugnitto, Ali Haider, NARCES, Sagradesa
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Opening show: Fashion Magazine Presents: UNFILTERED—a raw runway concept led by George Antonopoulos
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Accessory Showcase: Curated by LIGNES DE FUITE, featuring Montreal designers Beautopie, Rachel Sudbury, and Saint-Isidore
The anniversary installation will feature video, styled mannequins, and photographic works archiving FAT’s evolution from independent showcase to mainstay platform.
Tickets for all events available at fashionarttoronto.ca
Cody Rooney is the Editor in Chief and senior contributor at liminul.
He is a PhD candidate, digital content specialist, writer, editor, multi-media artist, and photographer.