The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Imagozine

The Imagozine show that closed out FAT on the fourth and last day was half performance art piece and half fashion extravaganza!

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Fashion Whore

Fashion Whore showed on the fourth day of FAT, and in similar fashion to previous years it seemed to focus more on the presentation, statement, and styling than the designs themselves.  Last year it was PVC, this year sequences and iridescents, all materials lending themselves to the over-the-top styling and in-your-face personas.  The show did a good job of getting you excited and interested in the vibe behind the brand but it ended up outshining the actual designs.  I would have liked to see the fun, quirky, cutesy designs of Fashion Whore put on the same level as the other elements of the show.  Yet the realization of a strong style and personality behind the designs is something Fashion Whore has, and this runway show proved, and it’s something that many other fashion designers and companies are lacking.

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Starkers by Dianna DiNoble

The theatrics, performance, and drama of previous collections shown at FAT were missing from the Starkers by Dianna DiNoble show on the fourth day of FAT 2011.  In its place were amazing corsets shown with sophisticated, empowered simplicity.  Designer Dianna DiNoble made a good choice in keeping the presentation simple for this collection (although previous FAT r shows were imaginative and tons of fun) to let the designs really shine.  These are the new must have corset designs.  Shown in a well chosen plate of red, grey, and matte black with just enough styling to showcase the ensemble options for these beautiful corsets.  Worth particular note is the scalloped bottom black corset, lower left, just breathtaking.

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Toxic Vision

Toxic Vision’s runway show on the fourth day of FAT blew me away.  The overall feel and effect of the show paired with the understanding that you were watching one of the most unique and forward-pushing collections of the event made this show very impressive in person.  With this collection designer Sharon Toxic has built from the hard and glam rock style base she has established with her brand in a trend/fashion conscientious way.  Bohemian patterns and elements mix with leather and spikes, pastels mix with black and silver.  This collection had all the right details and when watching it, you knew you were watching the results of true design talent.

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

House of Etiquette

My first encounter with House of Etiquette, a new Canadian latex design company founded in 2009, was at the third day of FAT and I was highly impressed!  House of Etiquette designs are able to invoke both a classic fetish latex feel and a new, innovative high fashion feel at the same time.  A bright red latex halter top bodysuit might seem tired and tacky, but here it is made classic, refined with black trim along the seams and a bold black strap waist cincher.  Even the standard latex color palate is made more refined when the purple is metallic, the black is transparent, and the white has a floral print.  This collection brings sophistication and fashion to latex but keeps it sexy, these pieces could pair nicely with non-latex garments for a night out but would also look authentic at a fetish event or party.  I’m keeping a close eye on House of Etiquette!

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Dystropolis

Wendy Ng showed a new Dystropolis collection on the third day of FAT.  Having just started Dystropolis in 2009, it is still developing, as this year’s FAT collection was much more refined and polished than the collection Ng showed at FAT in 2010.  It seems it has a little more ways to go, yet the collection is full of strong pieces and the structured shoulders with zipper texturizing seen throughout are very nice.  Vision, concept, and awareness are factors in this collection named “Apocalypse of Black Venom” which honours the wildlife impacted by the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill.  A promising new designer for sophisticated cyber-wear.

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Anastasia Lomonova

Models walked down the runway as sleek and slinking mummies wrapped in transparent gaze bandages from head to toe.  The designs of Anastasia Lomonova were a new find for me on the third day of FAT.  The treatment of the models that showcased the collection made it instantly stand out and one could appreciate the perfect simplicity of the clothing.  Tunics, wraps, draping, and volume, these are the utilitarian garments for our future of bio-domes and space stations.  Complete with bodysuit skins to protect us from the elements when we venture out.

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Asphyxia

Alexandra De Francesco showed a new Asphyxia collection at the first night of FAT this year. There was lot of lace, black, and white as seen in past collections. Sheer fabrics revealing skin and mid-drifts were a theme throughout. As well as a more flowing and loose fit. The strong point of Asphyxia designs remains the use of fabrics and textures.

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Toronto ON, April 26-29 - [FAT] or Toronto Alternative Fashion Week is coming up and the schedule was just released last week.  This is a great event to see some of Toronto’s best alternative fashion designers show their lines on a runway.  In addition to the fashion there are performances, photography and videos on display, and installation art set up in the dressing rooms backstage at the venue. This year [FAT] will take place at 99 Sudbury and advance tickets are $25 for a day pass and $70 for a week pass.

Some of the alternative fashion designers showing this year…

April 26th
Asphyxia – The dark creations of designer Alexandra De Francesco.

April 28th
Dystropolis - Futuristic cyberwear, showing their new collection “Apocalypse of Black Venom”.

April 29th
Toxic Vision – What heavy metal looks like in garment form.
Dianna DiNoble, Starkers Corsetry – Beautiful custom corsets.
Pippa - Bold, colorful latex.
Fashion Whore - Fun and playful clothing to make a statement.

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Futurstate

Toronto designer of “dark futuristic clubwear and streetwear”, Futurstate showed their latest collection at FAT this spring.  The collection proves that Futurstate is continuing down the path of sophisticated, structured cyber and military inspired designs and aiming to offer cybergoth designs that are not tacky and candyraver-like.  The collection was entirely black and void of almost any pvc.  To make the pieces stand out designer Laura X relied on subtle details such as rows of black buttons, black mesh, and crisscrossing black cords.  My personal favorites were the puffed shoulder jacket and dress shorts combo (pictured upper right) and the simple all black geisha style dress (pictured lower left).  Items from this collection would be a great purchase because they can serve as stylish streetwear, they are not just for the club, but I did feel a bit of the fun of past lines was missing.  I wouldn’t mind seeing a hot new pvc dress or outfit!

See the men’s collection in more detail in our Junk fashion editorial in the new June/July issue.

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