Here are some of the events taking place.

Tuesday, April 17 | CONNECTED

In Spite of Sirens, a large-scale installation by designer Olayide Abiola, transforms participant to be both witness and character, providing guests with their first immersion of #FAT2018; Mitra Ghavamian, known for transforming modern day issues into thought-provoking wearable art statements, unveils Nostalgia; award-winning multidisciplinary artist Vessna Perunovich’s exploration into connectedness comes to life on the runway; and wedding dress designer, Najla Rahimi, showcases an ultra feminine collection adorned in couture details.

Wednesday, April 18 | DISCONNECTED

Internationally acclaimed designer, Aroshna Makanojia explores the transformative nature of her garments; Stevie Crowne presents glam rock upcycling at its finest; blurring the lines between gender and genre, Maxhole performs a track from his new record; and Amplify Apparel will evoke all senses with Disorder, an artful and chaotic deep look into mental illness.

Thursday, April 19 | GLOBAL WEB

Presenting Mexican designer, Bvisage’s intricate pieces that entwine handicraft with elegant patchwork; the positive representation that is breaking stereotypes of Muslim women from Black Orchid; artisanal and conceptual Indian-inspired, boho looks from House of Poplyn; and a sensual, energetic performance from D!XON.

Friday, April 20 | COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS

Featuring experimental collaborations and explorations in fashion and re-purposed items; including a look at the wardrobe of a non-gender conforming professional from designers, Mic Carter of L’Uomo Strano & Natalissa Da Silva; Tala Nehlawi’s embroidered Syrian poetry; and a fashionable, theatrical, and gender-bending performance from The Coven.

Saturday, April 21 | LOVE LINK

Opulence and high fashion reign for the last night of |FAT|, with exquisite collections from Diseiye, Nary Aref & Steven Lejambe; Baroque-inspired, couture corsetry is paraded in grandiose style at Bone & Busk; and award-winning Swiss visual performance artist, Genevieve Favre Petroff, synchronizes her high-tech, 16th century costume with her voice.

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CONTEST

We have 4 full-week passes to give away to 2 of our readers. Here is how you can enter.

Facebook

1. Share this facebook post.

2. Comment on this post with what you are most excited to see during FAT.

Twitter

1. ReTweet this tweet.

2. Tweet what you are most excited to see during FAT 2018 and include @TORguardian and @FashionArtTO. Also use the hashtag #fashionarttoronto.

#CONTEST: Fashion Art Toronto is back and we have some passes for our readers – @FashionArtTO https://t.co/2q42eSJ8Ye

— Toronto Guardian (@TORGuardian) April 6, 2018

The post CONTEST: Full week passes to Fashion Art Toronto 2018 appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Die hard fashion fans crowded into the runway room at Daniels Spectrum – one of Toronto’s newly beloved architectural gems and community hub.

In the true spirit of |FAT| many designers teeter on boundaries between wearable and not-so-wearable art. Xue Liang’s Liquid Baroque collection upcycles paper, and discarded materials into striking masks and head gear. Rampaging textures are eerily subdued with a clinical white palette; an Atwoodian vision of a stylishly apocalyptic world –where women exist in a beautiful prison of fashion. Justine LaTour’s mocks the function of clothing in general; constructing three dimensional forms à la the 1971 Miss General Idea Pageant. Frosted mylar is transparent, revealing the body underneath, but it is also printed with nude sections of models’ bodies – the naked truth, is quite literally embodied.

Other artists like Toni Marlow get conceptual in a much more comfy way. Gendered notions of beauty and undergarments are deconstructed by cheeky jersey nickers and t-shirts worn by trans and gender fluid models. For those brought up with the idea that French lace and silky satin lingerie is a gift a lady gives to herself, the idea of wearing boxers might be alarming… or luxuriously badass.

Damzels just want to have fun with the Wild West. A far cry from the rodeo shirts you’ll see in Calgary – these have been firmly Toronto-fied, with dangly pompoms and flowers that look like they’ve been embroidered by Frida Kahlo herself. The models themselves can’t help but grin in these frocks and look like they’re about to jump off the runway and head down to the Dakota for some bourbon fueled dancing. Damzels clothing is made in Toronto, and sold at their store on Roncy. Their prices range from around $90 – $150.00 for a dress that will have people stopping you in the street.

Sarah Splinter creates gorgeous gowns that are hand stained and painted, or intricately beaded. Inspired by the glitterati of Bollywood and hundreds of years of textile and fashion adornment in India; these are perfect for the red carpet or a lavish wedding dress.

Cheers to Vanja Vasic for another incredible fashion arts festival, this time with a brand new baby on her hip! Take that Serena Williams!

Many thanks to Jonathan Hooper for the gorgeous photos.

The post |FAT| or Fashion Art Toronto, is Canada’s wildest fashion party appeared first on Toronto Guardian.